ATC owners (present and former)

I went from Dynaudio Focus 140 > Monitor Audio Studio 60 > ATC SCM100A

I have had the ATCs for a couple of years now, however, they were not always shining. Tried solid state Pro gear (Benchmark DAC1, Lavry) - there was a slight lack of sparkle; Tubes (Modwright) sounded lush but a bit too 2-dimensional; a TVC (Promitheus C-Core pre) - did not work too well at all.

Currently using ATCs with a Midos Audio updgraded Audio Aero Capitole CD/Preamp. Stopping my upgrade bug right here - this is a very enjoyable mix. AA's output impedance is 100 ohms, which seems sufficient; however, the Midos Audio discrete output really takes the AA to another level. I cannot imagine music sounding better! I admit it is a bit on the lush side, however, well worth it. So once again ATCs prove they let you hear the full capability of a source - provided the impedance matching is taken care of.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on November 5, 2009 at 13:28:29
bralk Audiophile Posts: 3 Joined: July 4, 2009	I went from B&W 802 to ATC SCM 100 ASLs

I moved from a Dynaudio to ATC, posted on November 5, 2009 at 07:30:34

Plinius_Fan
Audiophile

Posts: 131
Joined: August 4, 2006

I have been a Dynaudio user for last 6 years. I have owned all their better standmount models from Audience 52, BM6 to Contour 1.3SE. The only one I missed (deliberately) was the C1. I started my journey with a A52 so my relationship with Neutrality has been long standing. A lot of people associate Neutrality with Flat Boring, Dry sound but one listen to the Dyns can change it all. But Dyns have this very typical signature sound of their own which is omni-present. I wanted to get over that. I had a lot of speakers in mine, specifically Harbeth...since they had this cult following and most people like them because they are neutral and musical. I had never heard a Harbeth and I was excited about buying it. Somehow I could not convince myself of a blind buy so I decided to travel and listen to Harbeth and couple of other loudspeakers from Proac, Spendor, Tannoy range.
In the process I ended up listening more than 30 different standmounts. Surprisingly none of them sounded like an upgrade from the dynaudio 1.3SE. The only one that kicked ass was ATC. Transparency, Neutrality, Tonality, Musicality...everything top notch. Thus I bought the SCM 40.

I wanted to buy the SCM-19 but the store guy could not give me a demo of a burnt-in sample...the one he had was pretty new and it sounded a bit harsh..though more neutral than 40. But I could not take the risk of buying it and waiting for it to sound nice, if it doesnt then I have to again get back into buying/selling stuff.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 28, 2009 at 09:56:46

Dave Billinge
Audiophile

Posts: 421
Location: Hampshire
Joined: June 7, 2005

I have very recently put my ATC50ASL speakers out to pasture after 14 years (with lots of upgrades en route) and replaced them with Monitor Audio PL300s fed by Musical Fidelity 750k Superchargers. I am using Merlin Scorpion Twin speaker cables. What do I think? I think it sounds more transparent than the ATCs and also seems to handle dynamic swings better. At their best these new speakers are absolutely excellent. Are they for keeps? I don't know, I've only had them for a month, but I think that when all this new kit is run in it is going to prove substantially better. My ATCs are still sitting at the back of the room awaiting the dramatic moment when (or if) somebody buys them.

Dave

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 25, 2009 at 20:16:03
hahax@verizon.net Audiophile Posts: 817 Location: New Jersey Joined: March 22, 2006	ATC 50s were Gordon Holt's last speakers and he considered them the most correct reproducers of the many recordings he made of the Boulder Symphony Orchestra.

Holt's ATC's, posted on October 25, 2009 at 21:23:46
Sstone8807@aol.com Reviewer Posts: 70 Location: Colorado Joined: March 26, 2007	Actually it's the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra... Yes, Gordon liked his ATCs. I felt they were a very honest-sounding speaker that served him well as monitors. If you want a list of what Gordon listened to before the ATCs just get a complete collection of Stereophile Magazines...

RE: Holt's ATC's, posted on October 26, 2009 at 20:13:26
hahax@verizon.net Audiophile Posts: 817 Location: New Jersey Joined: March 22, 2006	I have a complete set back to issue one. Iknew Gordon well in Philadelphia and was in the discussion of where to buy the ATCs.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 25, 2009 at 19:34:24

PS Yeo
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Joined: September 5, 2001

From Harbeth to ATC.

I was a die-hard Harbeth Fan from the late 90s and collected P3ES, HL Compact (sold in 2005), Monitor 30 and Super HL5 through the years. Me and my wife just love their improvised BBC style sonic signatures then. Long, long before that were KEF 104II, B&W Matrix 801 and Thiel CS7.

By chance I encounter a pair of used ATC SCM20 Tower in good condition / price 3 years ago and bite it for fun. That's somehow changed my relationship / opinion on Harbeth and never turn back.

I currently use the SCM50SL (pre 2003 version with VIFA tweeter) on my main rig and still keep the SCM20 Tower .The rest of the Harbeth are for collection purpose (they are still pleasing SPKs) and also on secondary roles.

Regards
PS

Interesting..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 07:21:11
Mastergill Audiophile Posts: 68 Joined: August 6, 2005 Contributor Since: February 5, 2008	Can you tell which amp(s) you've used with your various Harbeth? Thanks.

RE: Interesting..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 18:49:37
PS Yeo Audiophile Posts: 195 Joined: September 5, 2001	Hi, I am still using Exposure 20 integrated (modified) for the P3ES, Exposure 17 / 18 Super (both modified) for the Super HL5 and my own DIY design for the Monitor 30. BTW I was a RF EE for 18 years and handy in circuit / PCB designs plus soldering Iron. Regards PS

RE: Interesting..., posted on October 27, 2009 at 06:59:21

Mastegill

Hi,

Thank you for your answer. Exposure make pretty good amps, this is what i had with Rogers speakers prior going tubes. Of course i don't know your own design, maybe it's killer, but you can do better than Exposure for Harbeth.

I asked you this because many times i felt these kind of British monitors are "underpowered" in a sense that you can put the highest quality amps (and source) and they will still deliver the good.
Beside extreme frequency response these speakers are not that much a bottleneck IMO.

There is the wrong assumption that audiophile must spend the most on speakers, IMO again this is not true, i believe it's the room first who must dictate which kind of speaker you can use for the best result.

This is not to criticize your choice, i've been too interested about active monitors, but i see them as a 'budget' solution (despite ATC high price ;-) You can do much better than these amps 'on-board'.

RE: Interesting..., posted on October 27, 2009 at 19:15:04

PS Yeo
Audiophile

Posts: 195
Joined: September 5, 2001

Hi,

I do think the Active powered ATC SCM50 /100SL Studio Monitors are about the most accurate monitor available, but these may not be the "Better Sounding" audiophile speakers out there. These SPKs are not for everyone typically looking for some different audiophile flavors.

I am currently using Acoustic Arts Amp 1 balanced (modified) and my own DIY design fully balanced Pre Amp for mine SCM50SL passive with decent results in a small room.

Regards
PS

RE: Interesting..., posted on October 27, 2009 at 07:33:30
b.l.zeebub Audiophile Posts: 815 Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W Joined: April 17, 2006	Doubt that you can 'do much better', ATC makes some very, very good amps indeed which operate in class a up to two thirds of rated power. And passive crossovers do ruin even the best amps out there. It is passive speakers which are the budget option as you save on amps and an electronic xover.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 25, 2009 at 16:53:05

muser
Reviewer

Posts: 147
Location: southern California
Joined: March 29, 2005

I owned Kef C80s (my first "audiophile speaker" purchased unaware of any other alternatives nearby) - had a cupped hands signature. My oldest sister still owns these.
Vandersteen 2Ci's - nice "jolly" speaker like a jolly uncle who makes nice all around as long as you don't want or need clarity; A friend is enjoying these, still.
Spendor SP7/1s - fabulous at exactly one volume level, too low and they sounded anemic, too loud and they broke up. Sold to a stranger.

Purchased passive 20s and owned for 6 years. Moved from a small room to a room with 5500 square feet of volume, didn't think they could fill the area, so I sold them.

Slept with Ensemble Figuras and GamuT L5s.
Ensemble Figuras were a very nice, precise speaker, needed a slightly warmer surrounding cast to show their best. Sold because I was afraid my son would knock the speakers over or poke a hole in the tweeter. Not a "rock" speaker, as Ensemble's principal would no doubt be somewhat pleased to hear.

GamuT L5s, terrific speaker. Beautiful to look at and listen to, no genre or scale off limits. Far field listening position, versus ATC near field listening position. Sold them because they were just waiting to be pushed over by my then 3 year old son. Matched with EAR 509 amps and 864 preamp and Acute CD player the sound was magical. Would own again, unquestionably.

I currently own SCM-20-2a speakers. I've owned passive 7s, 20s and 35s. I have reviewed 10-2A's, 50As and 100A towers for positive-feedback.com. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of ATCs. It is possible to get ATCs to sound bad, but don't dislike high resolution speakers for poor sound any more than you blame good vision for seeing ugly stuff.

My current system CEC TL1 with Twisted Pear Buffalo 32S DAC sounds anything but processed as Gordan describes. Gordan had ATCs for a while and experimented, repeatedly with satisfaction, though he's no longer apparently a fan. So be it. Vinyl with my 20-2As with an Amazon Model 2 deck, Moerch DP6 arm and Dynavector XX2MkII cartridge is strikingly dynamic and remarkably detailed without sounding the least bit mechanical or poor. Naturally alive and capable of delicate beauty, too. Hardly a soft sound.

ATC are not the speaker for everyone.

"Coffee drinker" used to mean someone who liked a particular bean or roast. Now many coffee drinkers think caramel, flavored creme and sugar are part and parcel of "coffee." Would not drink coffee without those sweeteners. Not many people are now the first sort of coffee drinkers in the sense of liking the bean and the roast. ATCs supported by appropriate ancillaries deliver good coffee without the sugar and creme; and that can mean a strong, bitter or overwhelming experience. If you want sugar and creme, go ahead add it through ancillaries or cables, the ATCs don't add much. If you want creme and sugar in your sound there are many colored speakers that deliver that as part of their "coffee" or "sound." ATCs are not a speaker for everyone, you have to like music and be willing to hear it good and bad.

"Complaints" I have about ATC speakers => they're expensive (not undeservedly so, nor worthy of their asking price, their price just makes then less easy to acquire) and their optimal listening position for imaging is quite nearfield. Friends and family are happily listening to my "old" ATCs.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 26, 2009 at 09:46:18
SashaV Audiophile Posts: 235 Joined: September 25, 2006	Hi muser, Interesting history. A question on GamuT L5 if you do not mind. You mentioned far field listening position, was it your choice or they must be far field in order for drivers to integrate well? Since you own SCM-20-2a and heard 50A, if money was not a question, would you take ATC 50 active or GamuT L5 (or maybe some larger / newer GamuT model)?

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 26, 2009 at 20:40:11

muser
Reviewer

Posts: 147
Location: southern California
Joined: March 29, 2005

Sasha:

I had the GamuTs while my wife was pregnant with our first child and we were remodeling for the arrival. The events around that time are a blur. I think that the far field listening position was required for optimal imaging focus, though I am sure I could not hear the individual drivers when sitting closer, if that is your question. It's also the position that Lars Goller suggested and is in the manual with the speaker.

I'm very pleased with active speakers and think the idea is just the intelligent choice. GamuT started with active speakers, so they know, too. Matching your own amp to the speaker involves a lot of wishing rather than knowing. I do think that audiophilia is a bit like fishing; catching something isn't always the point. Active speakers are catching fish, finding the right amp for a speaker is fishing to find out what you might get.

I wish I had the luxury of choosing between ATC 50s and GamuT L5s. They're both fantastic speakers. Whomever bought either would be a lucky and happy man, I think. Honestly, I don't know. In our current house, my listening room is quite large and being seated fifteen feet from the speakers is workable. If we're able to move into a nicer neighbohood, my listening room is likely to get smaller making the ATCs an easier solution. For those so interested, they're both destination speakers. The eleven layers of lacquer makes the GamuT's prettier. My wife loved the look of the L5s, and when we had powered 100 towers she was aghast at the sound until she heard music and then asked, "How much are they?" as in maybe we can buy these. The active power/crossover makes the ATCs easier to get to a final solution.

This is not a political response, I truly don't know which I'd choose.
Larry

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 26, 2009 at 22:57:57

Sunya
Audiophile

Posts: 386
Joined: July 11, 2007

Gamut discontinued the L series some time ago; they introduced a new, more expensive series, the El Superiores; the bookshelf model retails for €15K. Probably they want to give some competition to Magico:)

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 26, 2009 at 00:36:36

gordan
Audiophile

Posts: 419
Location: Belgrade SCG
Joined: July 9, 2005

muser is pretty much right with most of the writings. if i would go back to dynamic speakers, it would either be active ATCs or valve driven ProAcs. however, though i'm not that familiar with the recent versions of active ATCs, i'm pretty confident that the associated electronics of the 20A could be better, at least for what you pay. or i'm too sensitive to sonic stamps of average op-amps used throughout in the crossover and power packs.
another issue IMHO with the older version is really poor vifa tweeter. the later seas (?) is slightly better though i couldn't escape a feeling they roll off early. anyway for me it's not a deal breaker but it's good to mention as many people prefer a different HF presentation.
still they are one of the best. but - as muser sistem shows - they need helluva electronics upstream (source, preamp) to make them truly shine. some call it garbage in garbage out (and vice versa), however my feeling was that some other products are less picky and lets cheaper components really work well. anyway, ATC mantra - buy our $20,000 speakers and fed them with $100 DVD players doesn't work i'm afraid.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 27, 2009 at 06:16:16
muser Reviewer Posts: 147 Location: southern California Joined: March 29, 2005	Gordan and I agree on many things about ATCs. The newer ATCs sound more extended on top. ATC speakers are a bit like working with a very articulate ventriloquist, when they're fed good stuff it sounds really good, bad stuff is accentuated as such. While you can feed a $100 DVD player through ATCs, unquestionably you can hear better gear sound much better. Happy listening Gordan. Larry

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 25, 2009 at 11:02:48

gordan
Audiophile

Posts: 419
Location: Belgrade SCG
Joined: July 9, 2005

I've had ATC 20A ASL Pro (a pro version of active 20, a grey one in metal housing).

I bought them mostly because I got them for a good price where not much competition couldn't cope with.

Before I wasn't so much into audio - I've had a small system with Audio Innovation tube amp, 2-way Tannoys, Kuzma Stabi deck etc. I listened to the music without much pretentions after I wasted tons of money in the 80s on hifi gear.

ATCs needs careful matching - the most important is to be fed by a lowest possible impedance preamp. I suggest maximum 100 ohm, the less the better.

I liked them for good dynamics. I disliked them because the electronics (amps and x-overs) have their sonic stamp which gives an impression of a slightly processed sound. That's why ATCs sound the best when fed with either a tube or a TVC preamp and a tubed CDP or vinyl.

I switched to triodes & horns for obvious reasons. Much more music in the room and less of artifical qualities.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 27, 2009 at 17:15:33
SashaV Audiophile Posts: 235 Joined: September 25, 2006	Gordan, Can you give me some kind of a reference in regard to your perception of ATC amps and x-over quality? For example, ATC amps are as good as X, but far lesser quality than Y, where X and Y are some well known brands, let’s say Bryston amps, almost everyone knows how they sound. Would you be able to say where your perception of ATC amps is relative 4B SST for example?

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 25, 2009 at 12:50:10

mäç
Audiophile

Posts: 133
Joined: August 18, 2009

>> ATCs needs careful matching - the most important is to be fed by a
>> lowest possible impedance preamp. I suggest maximum 100 ohm, the less
>> the better.

I hear this echoed over and over and I believe it's an audiofile urban myth. ATC speakers use Bryston power-pac amplifiers, which have a 10k input impedance and can be driven by any modern preamp. There are no special requirements, although some owners' apparently like to believe otherwise.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on November 9, 2009 at 00:45:16
Plinius_Fan Audiophile Posts: 131 Joined: August 4, 2006	I suppose it is the PMC which use Bryston Power packs. ATC have their own amplification.

RE: ATC owners (present and former), posted on October 26, 2009 at 00:40:37

gordan
Audiophile

Posts: 419
Location: Belgrade SCG
Joined: July 9, 2005

i don't know if your post comes from theory but mine comes for a practice of changing 10 preamps with the ATCs, ranging from 30 ohm to 2k output impedance. the minimum output impedance they worked well was 400 ohm of a pass labs X2.5 and they trully excelled with 100k or under units such as EAR 864 or passive amps fed with 50 ohm source (MF audio). some higher imp preamps were shockingly bad such as cary 98.

Correction:, posted on October 25, 2009 at 14:33:51
b.l.zeebub Audiophile Posts: 815 Location: 52deg 28'N,1deg56'W Joined: April 17, 2006	ATC uses their own amplifiers, designed and built in-house. PMC uses Bryston powerpacs. The input impedance remains the same at 10kOhm as that is practically a standard in pro audio.

RE: Correction: -- to me, 10KOhm is too low for comfort, and, posted on November 4, 2009 at 15:35:58
goldenthal Audiophile Posts: 128 Location: Ontario Joined: March 28, 2003	will compel careful pre-amp matching. Why do amp-makers create such difficulty? Jeremy

Page processed in 0.275 seconds.

Speaker Asylum

ATC owners (present and former)

99.233.132.131