amp to match ATC scm 11 speakers

[S83 Trike]

I am upgrading my current set up which comprises of the following -

Linn Genki CD player

Icon Stereo 40SE Valve amp

Quad 12L speakers.

Lounge is 12'x12'

I am in the process of purchasing a 2nd hand pair of ATC SMC11 speakers [version 1] cir2010. But I have been informed that the 11's are power hungry and my Icon at 40 watts per channel ultralinear might not have enough power to drive them. So I could possibly need a new [well 2nd hand ] intregated amp capable of driving the 11's?Any ideas?

 

[CnoEvil]

Welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't be too hasty....you'll be able to try it for yourself. I suspect you'll be OK, unless you want to run a nightclub.

 

[Andrewjvt]

consider Hegel H160

150w into 8ohm and 250w into 4ohm and has a very good built in Dac with 4 digital inputs and airplay

 

[ChrisIRL]

I use a Roksan K2BT with SCM11 v2 with great results. Can be picked up for £450 if you shop around and ask. As mentioned above you might be ok with what you have, I feel my Brio r would have been perfectly fine with them too at moderate listening levels.

 

[lpv]

Behringer A500

http://matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_ppec.htm

if you think it looks c.r.a.p. then Electrocompaniet ECI 5 Mk II, ATC SIA 2, Hegel H160 are all excellent match for any passive ATC speakers.

 

[lpv]

 

[drummerman]

I am upgrading my current set up which comprises of the following -

Linn Genki CD player

Icon Stereo 40SE Valve amp

Quad 12L speakers.

Lounge is 12'x12'

I am in the process of purchasing a 2nd hand pair of ATC SMC11 speakers [version 1] cir2010. But I have been informed that the 11's are power hungry and my Icon at 40 watts per channel ultralinear might not have enough power to drive them. So I could possibly need a new [well 2nd hand ] intregated amp capable of driving the 11's?Any ideas?

As Cno said, no haste.

I had a 20w/ch valve amplifier with Ruark IB speakers, no problem.

If you want to headbang, perhaps choose a solid state with lots of watts but then you probably wouldn't use the 11's for that anyway.

 

[lpv]

prices: £140, £2300, £2700, £3100..

look: all ugly so needs to go out of sight

sound: all the same

 

[plastic penguin]

Agree wth Cno - try them with your current amp.

I know ATCs, to work at their best, need a gutsy amp, but then again most speakers benefit from a quality amp.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Also dont read too much into watts per channel. Ive got kefr700 speakers and im guessing are easier to drive than atc's

Well ive just sold my 120 w per channel roksan kandy k2 as it was not driving my speakers with the control at higher volume. Seems to get messy. Dont get me wrong the kandy for a budget to mid range amp is good but speakers as yours needs better amplification thats why i recomend hegel h160. Inly 30 more watts per channel than the kandy but compare these 2 side by side and it becomes clear. The speakers become alive like an upgrade

 

[S83 Trike]

Thanks for the advice guys, I was thinking down the lines of an intergated amp as I also need to add my IPOD for kitchen listening - but have been out of the hifi loop for approx 10yrs.

I will try my Icon first to see if it will drive the 11's - if not there are so many decent amps out there that will give me 100w PC to look at. Although my budget is limited hence 2nd hand.

 

[rainsoothe]

prices: £140, £2300, £2700, £3100..

look: all ugly so needs to go out of sight

sound: all the same

Don't disregard his suggestions just 'cause of this nonsense comment, the amps he suggested are good ones. Add Roksan Kandy K3 and K2 (smoother then the K3) to your list, if your current amp doesn't suffice. Hegel has the advantage of streaming capabilities and built in DAC. A Roksan K3, on the other hand, is cheaper.

 

[chebby]

NAD C356BEE.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I will try my Icon first to see if it will drive the 11's

Hi S83 Trike

Good call

Btw, what is your budget please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[S83 Trike]

Budget possibly £400 max, hence why I would go down the 2nd hand market.

The NAD is possible, but the last time I bought a NAD amp it was a 3120 back in mid 80's, so not too sure how they rate nowadays?

 

[lpv]

Budget possibly £400 max, hence why I would go down the 2nd hand market.

The NAD is possible, but the last time I bought a NAD amp it was a 3120 back in mid 80's, so not too sure how they rate nowadays?

if £400 is your max budget why you not behringer? you could even have two units plus some audio interface from behringer or focusrite or m-audio so you'll have Dac too.. I bet it will sound considerably better than Nad.. in fact my mate replaced two Rotel power amps with two Behringers 500's to power some Dynaudio 260 and it sounds great and for £280.

 

[drummerman]

There are a couple of Quad 909 power amplifiers on the bay.

One at BIN £550 with 5 days to go (Get in contact with the seller in two or three days if you're interested and if still available, and see if he is willing to compromise a little on price, I have bought loads that way) and the other one at just under £300 with three days to go. Either way you will also need a Pre but you will have good quality and powerful amplification.

I'd still try the Icon first however.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

I don't about your amp but I demoed the scm11 few years back with 40w pc musical fidelity amp and it struggled.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Budget possibly £400 max, hence why I would go down the 2nd hand market.

The NAD is possible, but the last time I bought a NAD amp it was a 3120 back in mid 80's, so not too sure how they rate nowadays?

Hi S83 Trike

NAD C370

An excellent amp with plenty of good quality power and a good tonal match with SCM11 passive monitors

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

prices: £140, £2300, £2700, £3100..

look: all ugly so needs to go out of sight

sound: all the same

 

[Al ears]

There are a couple of Quad 909 power amplifiers on the bay.

One at BIN £550 with 5 days to go (Get in contact with the seller in two or three days if you're interested and if still available, and see if he is willing to compromise a little on price, I have bought loads that way) and the other one at just under £300 with three days to go. Either way you will also need a Pre but you will have good quality and powerful amplification.

I'd still try the Icon first however.

A very good suggestion.

 

[S83 Trike]

Do I also need a pre amp with this Behringer?

 

[S83 Trike]

Just had a thought, I remember David telling me that I could run my Icon as a stand alone power amp - would this have any more humph by not using the pre amp section?

The Genki has a sort of pre amp section built in I believe?

Or would it still do 40 watts in linear mode as per spec?

 

[Al ears]

Just had a thought, I remember David telling me that I could run my Icon as a stand alone power amp - would this have any more humph by not using the pre amp section?

The Genki has a sort of pre amp section built in I believe?

Or would it still do 40 watts in linear mode as per spec?

It would still do 40 watts.

 

[lpv]

Do I also need a pre amp with this Behringer?

yes.. you'll need a preamp.. big choice of preamps if remote control is not needed and less choice if you require one.