Suggested Hi-Fi system for a near-midlife crisis!

Google, 4th link down http://www.hifix.co.uk/bookshelf-speakers/atc/scm20-sl.html

Yes, I found the SCM19 to actually do better in the bass department than the SCM40, this may be down to the SL mid bass driver in the 19 over the non SL bass driver in the 40. I dont know, I just thought it was a lot better overall. The biggest downfall of the 'entry' range is the tweeter, which is why overall I prefer the older SCM10 to the SCM7/SCM11 as it has, in my eyes a smoother treble.

The SCM20SL has a nicer Seas Tweeter, as I say, I have not heard it but for similar money to the SCM40 It would be on my audition list.

Did you own a pair of SCM40s as well as the 19's then?

I am hoping then transparancy of the ATCSCM40 would work well with a Pathos Logos one mk3 as it is supposed to have a slightly warm balance but still plenty of bite without harshness.  Mate that to a warm rich sounding CD player and i guess it'll come together in way i like.

Read some user reviews about the Shanling CDT2000 and theres alot of negativity but i shall still consider it against its rivals.  Perhaps look at the Roksan M2cdp and also the Unison Research Unico CDE Twin.

Unison Research Unico CDE Twin Unison Research Unico CDE Twin

I read latest hifi news mag and am taken by the Marantz SA-11s3 disc player to provide the warmth and SACD playback which would be great as ive got 13 of them now lol!  Again another budget buster!

I guess i could go amp and CDP route and live with the MA RX6's while i save for better speakers?

FWIW It's the way I would head............and did, with a Class A amp and a Reference type speaker.

Pathos also do a lovely CDP.

No I dont, I have owned the SCM7 and SCM10 though. I listened to the Entry range a lot when I used to work in a Hifi shop a few years back.

As I have mentioned (only a few times before ) I found the SCM7 and SCM19 the best in the range. After that, the SCM50ASL's are next, which are great to be honest, heard them a few times now at the Scalford Hall show, brilliant!

I have a feeling that the ATC speakers would work well with valve amps, but never really experimented much when I had the SCM7's as much as I have now.

Megatom,

What are you trying to achieve? (apart from treating a near mid life crisis) I mean, sound-wise, functionality, control interface etc. You have a very good budget, lots of money, so you plrobably want to spend it wisely. So, how do you value things like e.g. objective parameters (low distortion, high SPL, frequency range etc) vs subjecive ones (finish qualilty, looks, brand etc) vs domestic acceptability ease of control by others e.g. girlfriend or visiting friends. 

I bought my first proper hifi when I turned 30 and I spent a huge (at the time) amount of money on it. 10 years later I understood that what I bought then was very low value for the money. My hifi values have changed completely since then so 10 years ago and now I would be recommending completely different kit.

so, what are you looking for, what do you value in hifi? 

I am not really looking at it objectively. Certainly i wont buy a pair of speakers that my chosen amp cannot drive.  First and formost i am only going to buy components i like the sound of.  A good looking component is a bonus.  Build quality is likely to either be high or at least have a respectable handmade quality to it at the proces/components ive looked at so far.

The sound as ive said is important.  THe 6x6 room i use at the mo could be a smaller room when i move on from my current house (too big) so choosing speakers that work well in small rooms as well as larger is useful.  I must admit i like a warmer richer sound with good low bass, no boom whatsover (i cant stand this!) but at the same time i will want to 'listen' to music so good detail and rhythm/timing is important.  I like to relax to music so it doesnt have to be the last word in attack sound like Cyrus/Naim.

This has led me to conclude ATCscm40's with warmer than average amp/cdp would suit the above needs!

Excuses, excuses, excuses...... 

Well i have taken my first step...

Contacting a Linn service centre to get the old mans Linn Sondek LP12 turntable back up and running

Just need some vinyl of my own now maybe this is where i should splash me cash

Good start.

If you're still considering Sugden amplification, Audio Emotion have a A21 with phono going for less than £1300.

Mac

What do you think about these?

http://www.adam-audio.com/en/printpdf/multimedia/products/artist-6/description

i think they are abt 1,000. They have excellent sound and plenty of sound tuning options. You can also adda matching sub and have even more flexibility of setup plus remote.

also consider dynaudoio xeo 3 or 5.

Now that is the first sign of a mid-life crisis. 

Hmm...  found a Sugden Masterclass IA-4 (33wpc at 8ohm) at discounted £2900 with 30day moneyback guarantee.  Its come down to this or the Pathos Logos one mk3 which has more power but is not fully class A.

Obviously needs careful speaker matching due to low power output but having looked at the Kef R900 which has 90db sensitivity and Kef recommend 25-250w power i think i could get away with it!?  Or is the R900 not good enough for the likes of this amp?  Like ive said i want low bass but i do wonder if the R900 would be to much for a 6x6m room and i intend to place fairly close to walls ie 1.5 ft away from back.  Perhaps i should look at the Pro-ac D18/28 or Spendor A9 (again found heavily discounted!)?

Pretty much settled on the new Marantz SA-11s3 SACD player  too

IMO. You've chosen some of the most musical amps and speakers out there, in their price range........so I think you will be delighted.

The Sugden will sound more powerful than it looks on paper.....I think it gives 45W into 4 Ohms.

I think the Kef R Series would certainly be good enough to go with these amps......all these speakers should work nicely.

You've done well to find a Masterclass at that price!

Have you heard the Pathos yet?  I will be very interested in your final choice and reasons why.

Mac