New amp for my ATCs

Are you sticking with an integrated amplifier? Are pre/power combos an option?

 

The obvious choice would be ATC's own amplification, which works extremely well with them, especially for their price point.

 

We will shortly be having the Leema Tucana in, so I can have a play with the combo when that arrives.

Thanks for the reply, David.

Doesn't have to be integrated. I agree the ATC pre-power would be logical but I believe it/they only comes in silver

At the end of the day, if it's the best solution, the WAF issue may have to be ignored

Will look forward to your further conclusions

Have you tried to listen to Naim pre/power(202/200) preferably with hicap? My 40s works well with Naims,but my advice is don't go lower than the 200 for better results.IMHO.

    

                YOU know it will only end in tears .

Unfortunately yes, only silver.

I have a hard time recommending much over their own amplification. But, of the rest, something like a Bryston BP6/3Bsst2 or 4Bsst2, Cyrus DACxp+/Mono X200 or X300's, or Leema Pyxis/Hydra II. I know they're all pre/powers, but the SCM40's revel in power - give them more and they'll lap it up. If you know the prices of those combinations, you'll see why the ATC is what I'd usually recommend!

To get the most from what the SCM40's have to offer, I wouldn't say there are many integrated amplifiers around to take full advantage. I can understand the MF working well with them as they'll bring a bit of warmth to the proceedings and are a little smoother than most, and if it's anything like the older A5, it'll have bags of power (not that the A5 did much with it, unfortunately), so the SCM40's shouldnt be left wanting.

Whatever you go for, you should find it a huge step up over your Technics.

Hi visionary

I've heard the M6i amplifier with SCM40 monitors. The M6i works perfectly well with SCM40 monitors however at a similar price ATC's own SIA2-150 MK2 integrated or the CA2/P1 combination offer even better resolution and grip over SCM40 monitors whereas the M6i sounds masked and overall somewhat flat and loose.

The ATC amplifiers with their low distortion, class A bias (up to 2/3 output), high current, voltage and importantly damping factor will grip, energize and keep your SCM40 monitors in check just nicely.

Alternatively Naim's NAC 202/NAP 200, Accuphase E-250 and Densen Audio Technologies B-130 Plus, B-150 Plus and B-200 Plus/B-320 Plus also work well with SCM40 monitors. I recently also used Densen's B-175 Plus/B-420 XS with SCM40 monitors and found this combination to work a treat.

Btw, Naim's superb new SuperUniti is also worth serious consideration. The SuperUniti will offer higher quality of digital to analogue conversion and even greater quality of amplification for your SCM40 monitors.

Lastly, if you're also happy to consider used/discontinued amplification then i'll also highly recommend Krell's KAV-400xi and ATC's SIA2-150 MK1 integrated amplifiers.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Hi visionary. Whilst unfortunately I haven't heard the amps you specifically asked about, what I would add is that IME the ATCs are so neutral and honest that you will hear your electronics (and the recording) clearly. IMO this will be the usual reason why people don't like ATCs, that in fact they don't like the sound of their electronics. 

 

If you're in no rush, therefore, demoing a wide range of amps (with the 40s) will pay off as you will get a clear sense of what you're listening to and should find something that suits you. For me, that's Primare but you've had plenty of other good suggestions. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about watts (especially as they are a pretty stable load), although the better quality the amp, the better they will sound. The good thing about the 40s is you will get a clear picture of each step up.

This I agree with, and (imo) means attention will (at some stage) need to be payed to the source.

You haven't mentioned budget, but just in case it makes it in, I would add the Sugden Masterclass IA-4 (in Graphite) to the list of excellent suggestions.

 

I agree. I wouldn't argue with upgrading amplification first, but certainly when that is done both speakers and amplification will be a level or two up from source.

  Are atc introducing a new tweeter too their range ?

The new tweeter is a thing of beauty!

 

 

 

It is only for the largest speakers but a smaller driver is due hopefully later this year which should be retro-EDITEDble for existing owners. ATC again standing out from the crowd by not building in obsolescence to their speakers but looking after their existing customers 

 

   Looks very substantial, would it increase the speakers sensitivity ? 

Wow, the auto-censorship of alleged profanity is teaching me so many new rude words!

 

Don't know the answer re sensitivity, although if it really can be retro-fitted then it will have to be such that the existing crossover can be maintained (or the existing balance of amplification in actives) so I would guess there'd be no significant change, but I'm no techie. 

I don't think there would be any change to the speaker's sensitivity.