Front end for ATC SCM40s

[admin_exported]

Hi,

This is a very backways process, but I fell in love with and got a pair of ATC SCM40s, knowing they'd aquaint me with the limitations of my current system (DAC Magic and bi-amping with Arcam amplification).

I'm thinking of getting the ATC P1 power amp, or somesuch (Bryston?) to drive the critters, but would like some guidance on the possibility of not having a discrete pre, like the CA2.

Everyone seems to be raving about the new Audiolab 8200cdq and I'm attracted by the flexibility of inputs, balanced circuitry etc. It has an onboard pre and I'm wondering whether this would be good enough and integrate well with the power/speaker combo. With flexibility and computer files in mind, I'm finding it hard to justify going for a traditional CD player.

Getting a dem for the Audiolab is not easy currently, never mind finding it somewhere that would also deal with ATC.

Words of wisdom and experience please.

Thanks,

Gena

 

[Craig M.]

in theory, sounds like a very good idea, the p1 will drive the scm40s perfectly and the audiolab seems like a great piece of kit. i think as long as the audiolab has no harshness about it, could work well.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Gena:
Hi,

This is a very backways process, but I fell in love with and got a pair of ATC SCM40s, knowing they'd aquaint me with the limitations of my current system (DAC Magic and bi-amping with Arcam amplification).

I'm thinking of getting the ATC P1 power amp, or somesuch (Bryston?) to drive the critters, but would like some guidance on the possibility of not having a discrete pre, like the CA2.

Everyone seems to be raving about the new Audiolab 8200cdq and I'm attracted by the flexibility of inputs, balanced circuitry etc. It has an onboard pre and I'm wondering whether this would be good enough and integrate well with the power/speaker combo. With flexibility and computer files in mind, I'm finding it hard to justify going for a traditional CD player.

Getting a dem for the Audiolab is not easy currently, never mind finding it somewhere that would also deal with ATC.

Words of wisdom and experience please.

Thanks,

Gena

Hi Gena

ATC's P1 power amp with its (amongst other qualities) high current and damping factor enables the P1 to work superbly with SCM40 monitors.

I've not heard the 8000CDQ with the P1 yet although technically it should be ok. If you can accomodate the CA2 then at the moment i would suggest you seriously consider this route as the CA2 is superb. TheCA2 offers around 75% of the performance of ATC's reference SCA2 at a quarter of the price! Ultimately the CA2 has been designed to work with ATC's reference Professional studio monitors and amplification so therefore it has superb transparency and a robust output stage to easily handle many source components and power amplifiers with ease.

Depending on budget and what you wish to accomodate other possibly components to also consider (which i've had excellent results with) are Chord Electronics Chordette Peach DAC > SIA2-150 MK2 > SCM40, Peach DAC > CA2 > P1 > SCM40, QBD76 DAC > SIA2-150 MK2 > SCM40 and QBD76 DCA > CA2 > P1 > SCM40.

Fwiw, i have also heard the 8000CD with SIA2-150 MK2 and CA2/P1 (all with SCM40's). Although the 8000CD is a little upfront i thought it generally sounded superb.

You may also want to consider ATC's new cd player which should hopefully be out in a couple of months. This unit will have a CDP, CA2 pre amp stage, analogue inputs, digital outputs and digital inputs.

Btw, amplification from Plinius, Chord Electronics and Krell also work a treat with ATC passive monitors.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

Gena:Everyone seems to be raving about the new Audiolab 8200cdq and I'm attracted by the flexibility of inputs, balanced circuitry etc. It has an onboard pre and I'm wondering whether this would be good enough and integrate well with the power/speaker combo
Well, until the 8200CDQ arrives, this will be hard to answer, but suffice to say that it will sound better than the 8200CD as it will involve higher quality components and closer tolerances. If the 8200CD is anything to go by, it should be a pretty special product....

With the SCM40's, I'd stick to ATC amplification. Bryston does sound better with them, but I don't feel it's justifiable given the price difference. Although I don't feel they suit Cyrus very well, I've not yet heard them with their new X series monoblocks - could be interesting given their high current capability.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rick for taking the time to give such detailed and helpful feedback. Yes, I'm sure the CA2 would sound excellent with the other ATC gear. Just thinking of trying to stagger my investment! Could slot a pre in further down the line and bi-pass the Audiolab's onboard chappie at that stage.

Do you have any idea how much the ATC CD player will be retailing for?
Thanks again,
Gena

 

[Anonymous]

David,
I had heard a rumour that John Westlake and co. were continuing to tinker with the spec of the 8200 series, though I'd assumed that the CDQ would be like the existing 8200cd with the added pre and headphone stage. For an extra £200 I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but the report by Andrew Randle from a dem in London does whet the appetite:
http://www.hifiwatcher.com/?tag=8200cdq
Thanks,
Gena

 

[Frank Harvey]

I think everyone was just expecting an 8200CD with an inbuilt pre, but yes, they're improving it for it's release, which should be around the middle of next month. These improvements to the 'DAC and pre with an inbuilt CD player" will also be applied to their "DAC with a built in pre" too. They're also touting the headphone stage to be pretty special too.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Gena:
Thanks Rick for taking the time to give such detailed and helpful feedback. Yes, I'm sure the CA2 would sound excellent with the other ATC gear. Just thinking of trying to stagger my investment! Could slot a pre in further down the line and bi-pass the Audiolab's onboard chappie at that stage.

Do you have any idea how much the ATC CD player will be retailing for?
Thanks again,
Gena

Hi Gena

Your welcome.

At the moment ATC's cd player has a projected RRP of £1.5k to £2k.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft