ATC SCM 11

[koolkeith]

I'm driving these with a Densen B200/B310. Seems a common theme with this line of ATC that many amps struggle to get the most out of them due to the 85db sebsitivity & I'm wondering whether I should get another B310 or ditch the Densen and get the ATC integrated which will surely do the job - won't it ? I'm also aware, without really understanding the reason that the issue is current rather than watts. Could anyone comment please.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Are you happy with the sound? That's all that matters really.

However, calling Mr Rick at Musicraft!!

He will confirm that he demos them with a 50 watt (NAD I believe?) to blow the myth that they require 'an amp the size of a truck'.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It's not that they require an amp like a truck, it's just that they benefit from it! Any public demo that ATC would do with their speakers wouldn't involve your average budget amplifier - ATC would want to demonstrate what their speakers are capable of. Any decent speaker will respond well to extra power/current, and ATC design their own amplification to do just that.

A 'good' 50 watt amp will do a fairly decent job - a Naim Nait 5i for example - but substitute that for a Nait XS and it's plainly obvious the ATC's hunger for high current amplification.

To answer your question, I would've thought the Densen should be ok, as from what I've heard it should be up to the job.

 

[koolkeith]

Mr Rick - Could you give a % for how much untapped potential there is in the 11's that only an amplifier like the ATC integrated could unleash. I have £2k to spend & can't decide whether to trade - in the 11's & get some 40's or keep the 11's & get an ATC integrated.

Thanks.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Graham_Thomas:Are you happy with the sound? That's all that matters really. However, calling Mr Rick at Musicraft!! He will confirm that he demos them with a 50 watt (NAD I believe?) to blow the myth that they require 'an amp the size of a truck'.

Hi Graham_Thomas

Thanks for your post.

Yes, for the last three years i have often used a modestly priced/powered integrated amplifier to demonstrate various passive ATC speakers with.

It is not the greatest amplifier in terms of power or performance however it does show customers who are considering ATC speakers that provided their existing amplifier is sufficiently potent and of good performance at it's price point (which many amps are) than there really should be no reason as to why their existing amplifier (provided it is used with care) cannot be used with ATC speakers.

Thanks for your support.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[MUSICRAFT]

koolkeith:

Mr Rick - Could you give a % for how much untapped potential there is in the 11's that only an amplifier like the ATC integrated could unleash. I have £2k to spend & can't decide whether to trade - in the 11's & get some 40's or keep the 11's & get an ATC integrated.

Thanks.

Hi koolkeith

Thanks for your post.

If you wish to have greater depth, scale, power, speed, detail, mid range, punch than look at the SCM40's. Your Densen amplifiers are very good and more than capable of powering and performing with ATC speakers however they can still be improved upon. The ATC SIA2-150 MK2 offers more power, the quality of the power is more potent and the performance is better.

So, if your are content with the SCM11's than i would suggest that you hold on to them and in the first instance consider the SIA2-150 MK2 which will be a superb upgrade over the B200/B310. The SIA2-150 MK2 is a teriffic amplifier and one that can punch well above it's weight. I have used the SIA2-150 MK1 and MK2 personally for a long time and they continue to sell although trying to keep one in has proven to be difficult (which i suppose is a good thing).

Anyway we've finally had another one turn up recently

(which i have not had the chance to fire up yet).

Btw, i can see the differences between the SIA2-150 MK2 and B200/B310 almost likely to remain with many speakers used (even those with a higher sensitivity).

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft