Updated Listening Impressions:

Tony Gee's HATT mkII speakers together with
Nelson Pass' a40 Class A amplifier

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last updated October 29, 2004

Introduction:

OK, I've been listening to my current audio setup for a number of years now and I am quite pleased with its performance. The primary components in the playback chain include an Adcom GCD-700 5 disk changer, a Marantz AV-9000 THX Ultra preamp, Marantz MA500 THX monoblock amps, and Atlantic Technology System 350 THX speakers. Homemade 99.99% pure silver interconnects connect the CD player to the preamp and the preamp to the amps, while homemade CAT5 speaker cables connect the speakers to the amps. More details can be found about these DIY projects by clicking on the links above.

I've been very satisfied by the sound of this combination for some time, so I am very used to how it sounds. While these components are far from the highest level of audiophile grade, each has been well received and critically acclaimed by the audio community. Together, the retail value of this setup approaches a significant portion of the value of my new Subaru Legacy. So just what happened to change my opinion of my beloved system? DIY audio! I finally had some time to place my HATT speakers on top of my Atlantic Technologies and have an honest comparison between the MA500-Atlantic Technology duo and my new HATT speakers driven by my a40 amp.

Listening Impressions:

I used Mark Knophler's "Sailing to Philadelphia" CD to compare the Marantz & AT system to the HATT & a40 system. Cueing up the disk with the Marantz & AT, the sound was very familiar. Marks voice sounded very nice, just as I had become accustomed to. The speakers flank my 65" RPTV with about 18 of breathing room on each side of the TV, stand out from the screen of the TV by about a foot, and are toed in so that they converge just behind the listening position on the couch. (I know, its not ideal to have a big television right between my speakers, but its the best physical placement for now...) With this setup, there is no change in either the sound stage or imaging between standing or sitting positions, but both quite clearly collapse by moving a little as 1 foot to the left or the right while standing.

Switching to the a40 & HATT combination, there was a tremendous difference! The soundstage extended far to the left and right of the speakers. Sounds did not seem to eminate directly from the speakes as with the previous arrangement. Rather, the entire sound field was much more diffuse and spread out. Mark's voice was very noticably "cleaner" and "clearer" - it sounded much more like he was standing where my TV was and actually singing in person! Standing up or sitting down made no noticable difference in the sound stage or imaging, just as before. However, the sound field and imaging remained intact when I moved as much as 3 or 4 feet in either direction! The instruments seemed to be located far behind the physical position of the speakers, while Mark sounded as if he were closer to me than the physical positioning of the speakers would indicate. The sound was so much improved that I was very surprised!

Previously, I had compared the HATT speakers with the Atlantic Technologies using the Marantz amp and preamp. The HATTs were noticably better sounding than the Atlantic Technologies. Similarly, on a different occasion, I had compared the MA500 amps to the a40 amp using the Atlantic Technology speakers. The difference between the amps was also very evident - with the a40 handily outclassing the fine MA500s. Thus, on their own, the HATT speakers clearly sounded better than the Atlantic Technology speakers and the a40 amp clearly sounded better than the MA500s. But the combination of the a40 and the HATTs brough things to an entirely new level!

Clarity and musicality were greatly increased by the a40 and HATT combination - listening to music was much more fun and enjoyable. Switching back to the Marantz and AT speakers, they sounded considerably more muffled and much less 3 dimensional!