Amplifier and Speakers with 4500 pounds to spend - ATC?

[admin_exported]

I know there a couple of dealers that subscribe to this forum so I guess this is aimed at them or anyone else that wants to chip in. With 4500 pounds to spend on an amplifier and speakers could I do better than SIA2-150 integrated amplifier and SCM-40 speakers?

It is difficult to hear ATC here in the Netherlands so would need to go to the U.K. for auditions / purchase. I’m not looking to buy something today with a plan to upgrade later rather I’m looking for a long-term investment.

I have quite a large room and enjoy all music types.

Thanks

 

[Frank Harvey]

You do have quite a few options.

As you've mentioned, one of those would be the SIA2-150 / SCM40 combination, but don't rule out the SCM19's. There's something about the 19's that's just much more listenable than the SCM40's - but if you're after accuracy, then the 40's should be up with the best at the top of your list. There are quite a few other speaker options at the same price point, like the ProAc Studio 140.2 and Response D18, Spendor A6, Monitor Audio GS20, B&W CM9, PMC FB1i, and KEF XQ30. Speakers are such a personal preference that I can narrow that list down for you, but ultimately you'd need to audition.

Other options as far as amplification is concerned would be the Naim SuperNait, or 152xs/155xs pre/power combo. For speakers to match up with these you'd be looking at the speakers mentioned above. The Naim is a little leaner in the bass, so whichever speakers you prefer with the ATC amp might not be the same as with the Naim.

You could also look at the Cyrus 8xpd QX integrated amplifier with PSX-R, or a Pre Xpd QX with X Power pre/power combo. Their pre/power combos are quite different sounding to their older integrated amplifiers, and we've found those that do listen to them find they're quite different to what they expected. Again, the speaker recommendations are the same as above, althought the GS20's may be slightly forward sounding for the Cyrus.

So there you go - do you need any more options?!!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

zekezebra:

I know there a couple of dealers that subscribe to this forum so I guess this is aimed at them or anyone else that wants to chip in. With 4500 pounds to spend on an amplifier and speakers could I do better than SIA2-150 integrated amplifier and SCM-40 speakers?

It is difficult to hear ATC here in the Netherlands so would need to go to the U.K. for auditions / purchase. I'm not looking to buy something today with a plan to upgrade later rather I'm looking for a long-term investment.

I have quite a large room and enjoy all music types.

Thanks

Hi zekezebra

ATC's SIA2-150 MK2 and SCM40's is a stunning combination and one which i do well with. My clients (who have invested this combination) and i also believe the SIA2-150mk2/SCM40 is one which will offer long term satisifaction and one that can also show far more expensive compenents a thing or two.

The SCM40's feature ATC's massively engineered state of the art bass and studio Soft Dome unit mid range unit which is capable of covering 300hz to 4khz. The Soft Dome unit achievs exceptionally broad and even dispersion, so the reverberant sound field matches the on axis sound which results in a flat frequency response almost anywhere in the room!

For me (and i don't say this likely) ATC inspires confidence.

Btw, i have a number of your countrymen who are my clients of ATC equipment and funnily enough one of them will be driving across from Holland to pick up some ATC equipment.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

give mark at audio emotion a bell he was amazinglly helpfull after my total e mail overload but they give great discounts on high end kit tell him mark bates in wales put you on to him

 

[Anonymous]

just so you know he did my atc sc 11s for £699 a great saving

 

[Craig M.]

can't go wrong with atc. their amp and speakers are a perfect match.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Zekezebra,

I strongly suggest you atleast pay a visit or ring Rick at Musicraft. He's a fair man and can give you a good price but most importantly he can give you good sound solid advice. I doubt you will find a dealer with more knowledge in the UK than Rick especially in regards to ATC speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

For £4.5k I could recommend the Moon i5.3 integrated amp with Sonus Faber speakers. You could go for either floorstanders, or standmounts, depending which you prefer. These 2 brands work very well together.

 

[Anonymous]

sonor fabour or opera mezzo as alternatives to the ATC

 

[Anonymous]

How about Bryston pre/power amps and PMC? Should be an excellent combination but be careful, you may go over your budget but could be worth it!

 

[koolkeith]

I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc. I have a pair of Tannoy Mercury speakers on the wall in a bedroom driven by an old MF amp. and Marantz cd player and I swear I get more high end detail from that, than from the ATC kit. Of course the scale and weight of sound can't compare but sometimes I do miss a bit of high end fizz. Can the ATC's ever do that ?

In addition they can be difficult to get loud especially if you put them in a big room like I have. The variability of levels records are cut at is astonishing, so might be better to get more efficient speakers if volume is an issue.

 

[Anonymous]

I would personally recommend Dynaudio speakers.

I'm alittle biased since I own them myself, then again they measure pretty well, managing a fairly flat frequency response for all their entire line of speakers.

1) They fill a room much better then anything I've heard so far

2) Able to produce a wide soundstage

3) Produce a very good amount of bass even for their bookshelf speakers (not just as a bookshelf speaker, but in general)

4) Vocals sound very life-like

5) Works well for all kinds of music

They do however require a unusually long period of time to fully burn in unlike most speakers, 250 hours which Dynaudio reccomends, not to mention good quality speaker cables.

I personally use 6mm Van Damme Studio Grade blue series speaker cables which look ridiculous due to their size, but are a massive upgrade from the cheap transparent PVC ones which I stole from work lol

Not only were they notably more clearer, but a night and difference as they say.

To be honest, its hard to find anything to criticize about for the speakers, if anything, the speakers look alittle generic visually, but that's hardly something to be fussing about.

And for all I've said, I'm referring to the Dynaudio Focus 140 speaker for which I currently own, it should be the bare minimum if you really want a Dynaudio speaker to give you a long lasting impression.

 

[the record spot]

How about Martin Logan speakers, Sonus Faber, Opera, Audiosmile's superb little Kensai speaker, all very worthy of adding to the shortlist IMO.

EDIT: Add to the speakers list, Deuvel who made the quirky but well rated Planet speaker but do higher end stuff too I think.

Amp-wise, if you can get one, I'd get a 30-odd year old Sansui pre/power combo that'll cane many contemporary bits of kit into the hereafter! If going new, Moon, maybe some used Audio Research, Puresound, Icon Audio for valve stuff.....oh there's tons out there!

 

[Frank Harvey]

koolkeith: I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc.

I've found when using other amplifiers with the ATC speakers they do sound more lively, but when used with their own amplifiers they do sound more laid back. All personal preference.

 

[Frank Harvey]

koolkeith: I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc.

I've found when using other amplifiers with the ATC speakers they do sound more lively, but when used with their own amplifiers they do sound more laid back. All personal preference.

 

[jaxwired]

koolkeith: I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc. I have a pair of Tannoy Mercury speakers on the wall in a bedroom driven by an old MF amp. and Marantz cd player and I swear I get more high end detail from that, than from the ATC kit. Of course the scale and weight of sound can't compare but sometimes I do miss a bit of high end fizz. Can the ATC's ever do that ?

In addition they can be difficult to get loud especially if you put them in a big room like I have. The variability of levels records are cut at is astonishing, so might be better to get more efficient speakers if volume is an issue.

First negative ATC post I've ever read on this forum. Heresy...

 

[Frank Harvey]

Nothing's perfect Jax......

 

[chebby]

jaxwired:First negative ATC post I've ever read on this forum. Heresy...

Don't worry the mods will deal with it.

 

[Craig M.]

koolkeith:
I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc. I have a pair of Tannoy Mercury speakers on the wall in a bedroom driven by an old MF amp. and Marantz cd player and I swear I get more high end detail from that, than from the ATC kit. Of course the scale and weight of sound can't compare but sometimes I do miss a bit of high end fizz. Can the ATC's ever do that ?

In addition they can be difficult to get loud especially if you put them in a big room like I have. The variability of levels records are cut at is astonishing, so might be better to get more efficient speakers if volume is an issue.

what source are you using? i don't think my setup lacks high freq detail.

 

[shropshire lad]

koolkeith:

I have the 40's and P1/CA2 amps. and after many hours of listening over the last few months, I would say the combination has a slightly recessed high frequency response which I have been unable to improve much despite changing sources, cables etc. I have a pair of Tannoy Mercury speakers on the wall in a bedroom driven by an old MF amp. and Marantz cd player and I swear I get more high end detail from that, than from the ATC kit. Of course the scale and weight of sound can't compare but sometimes I do miss a bit of high end fizz. Can the ATC's ever do that ?

In addition they can be difficult to get loud especially if you put them in a big room like I have. The variability of levels records are cut at is astonishing, so might be better to get more efficient speakers if volume is an issue.

Oh well , if you want to sell them off cheap I'm sure you'll find a buyer here ,

Nick