my DREAM system. oh, maybe one day...

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Hi AlmaataKZ,

Great thread and great system. I read your thread a while ago and remember you posted a diagram with your main room connections setup - macmini+dac+av receiver+speakers+etc. Unfortunately, I skimmed through the thread again and can't find the diagram anymore. Would you mind to re-posting it or maybe emailing me directly? Highly appreciated.

On another note, I'm seriously thinking of getting the ATC SCM 50 active speakers (never listened to them but auditioned the 100s and was truly impressed with them so if the 50s are anywhere close to the 100s, I'd be very happy with them). I would like to pair the actives with a good preamp+dac(maybe+network player) combo and I understand you are very happy with your Benchmark. However, I just wonder if you ever thought/researched/considered upgrading it to some of the new higher end (more expensive) releases such as Chord Electronics DSX 10000 network streamer, or dsc Debussy, or even the brand new Bryston BDA-2 DAC and BDP-2 digital music player, or anything similar to them? Please share if that kind of thought ever crossed your mind and (besides the money issues) would you consider pairing your ATC 50s with a such device?

Many thanks!
 
silikonas said:
Hi AlmaataKZ,

Great thread and great system. I read your thread a while ago and remember you posted a diagram with your main room connections setup - macmini+dac+av receiver+speakers+etc. Unfortunately, I skimmed through the thread again and can't find the diagram anymore. Would you mind to re-posting it or maybe emailing me directly? Highly appreciated.

On another note, I'm seriously thinking of getting the ATC SCM 50 active speakers (never listened to them but auditioned the 100s and was truly impressed with them so if the 50s are anywhere close to the 100s, I'd be very happy with them). I would like to pair the actives with a good preamp+dac(maybe+network player) combo and I understand you are very happy with your Benchmark. However, I just wonder if you ever thought/researched/considered upgrading it to some of the new higher end (more expensive) releases such as Chord Electronics DSX 10000 network streamer, or dsc Debussy, or even the brand new Bryston BDA-2 DAC and BDP-2 digital music player, or anything similar to them? Please share if that kind of thought ever crossed your mind and (besides the money issues) would you consider pairing your ATC 50s with a such device?

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

Thanks and sorry for late reply, been a bit busy. I'll post the diagram once I find it.

re 50s vs 100s

In my experience, they sound identical except the only difference is the 100s go a tiny bit lower and are a tiny bit louder. 50s have plenty of bass. 100s are very large so the 50s are much more practical and I would recommend these. I only advise the 100s if you are lucky to have a very very large room. If I had one I would've probably gone for 150s. So go for 50s and add a good sub if you have to have low depth.

re feeding actives

you can use any source and pre-amp, all will sound near identical and the speakers will sound great. I do not recommend expensive dacs or pre-amps as differences in performance are minute and totally not worth it. I have no desire to upgrade the Benchmark and never considered any other dac/pres as I do not expect any meaninful improvements and even the Benchmark is already too expensive for a dac and a pre. Nothing wrong with expensive models and some of them look absolutely fantastic - I just think it is irrational to pay for the difference that is not there and to pay too much for styling. I can easilty imagine myself feeding the ATCs with an airport express, SB Touch or similar sources and I would have no reservations re sound quality.

I advise to choose sources on functionality, ease of control, interface and styling - and get the chapest that ticks the boxes.

Choose speakers on objective performance and allocate most of the budget here.

I also advise to think through the control thoroughly before buying anything. No good to find out later that you have to get up to switch something on/off when you expected you will control everything from the sofa and somethign turns out to be incompatible. Or your wife cannot operate it. It should be simple.

Enjoy!
 
almaatakz,

many thanks for your comprehensive answer. i found your diagram on another forum (related to the speakers) so no worries.

will try to demo the speakers (the 50s) because my last experience with the 100s was many months ago. unfortunately, it doesn't seem like anybody has them in london. if u know where i could be able to listem to the 50s, please share the intel...

re system control - i play itunes (lossless) on my mac mini connected to arcam rdac which is connected to my amplifier. only yesterday i accidentaly discovered that apple has a remote app for ipad and i can easily control the macmini's itunes from my ipad. what a revelation it was!

re dac - it sux that rdac doesn't have balanced outputs, and no preamp option - otherwise i would just use it (at least in the beginning) with the active speakers.

thanks again for your advice.
 
silikonas said:
almaatakz,

many thanks for your comprehensive answer. i found your diagram on another forum (related to the speakers) so no worries.

will try to demo the speakers (the 50s) because my last experience with the 100s was many months ago. unfortunately, it doesn't seem like anybody has them in london. if u know where i could be able to listem to the 50s, please share the intel...

re system control - i play itunes (lossless) on my mac mini connected to arcam rdac which is connected to my amplifier. only yesterday i accidentaly discovered that apple has a remote app for ipad and i can easily control the macmini's itunes from my ipad. what a revelation it was!

re dac - it sux that rdac doesn't have balanced outputs, and no preamp option - otherwise i would just use it (at least in the beginning) with the active speakers.

thanks again for your advice.
Click to expand...

Consider this one

http://www.tcelectronic.com/level-pilot/

you can use an rca-xlr adapter (several quid from a pro audio shop) between your dac and the level pilot.

genelec do a similar one but with 3.5mm jack
 
Apple remote app is very handy!

i do not know if anybody has stock of 50s in London. Try calling some dealers from the list on the atc site, the list is not that long. You really do not need to hear the 50s if you heard the 100s. There is no difference in character of sound. Only slight depth of bass difference.
 
thanks very much for the diagram, and the reference to the level pilot. that is one tidy drawing!

i noticed you got the devolo powerline adapters - are they wireless or just ethernet? are u satisfied with them? because i can't decide between devolo and tp-link and wether to go with wireless or not.

the level pilot might be a great solution. all i would need is rca to xlr adapters betweeen the dac and the volume control. the control would connect to the speakers via xlr.
 
The models of devolos that I have have no wireless. I know some models have wireless as well but I did not consider them as I do not need to extend my wireless. They work well and better than Belkins I used before. I have no experience of tplinks. Just buy something from Amazon and return if they do not perform to your satisfaction.

Re the pilot. You may need additional xlr to xlr extenders on the speakers end as the cables on the pilot are short as you can see in the video review. Still, a very good option.

get the cables and adapters fom a pro shop. Hifi shops would charge 2 to 20 times the price for the same performance.
 
I am in the process of changing my bedroom system.
I want to have active sound, reduce box count (ideally I want only speakers visible) and I want full access to my macmini itunes library and I want ethernet connection (not wireless) as well as remote power on/off.

I think I have settled on airplay as the playback and control.

I looked at a number of hardware options:

B&O beolab 4pc
Good sound, suitable looks, auto standby, I particularly like the signal sensing power on. Active, 4inch woofer, only jack input so will need airport express to feed the (it would be hidden out of sight). 700 quid (a bit expensive).

B&W MM1
Good sound, good looks, remote power on/off, auto standby (but not auto on), active, 3inch woofer. Do not need the usb. 400 quid.

A5 and A7
Good looks, sound ok but I think due to lack of distance separation between channels sound is a bit shut in. The good thing is that they have airplay built in and have ethernet so no additional boxes needed. Remote power. 400/700 quid.

Ideally would like separate speakers like the mm1 but with built in airplay and slightly bigger size like the a5 but such thing does not exist.

So currently leaning towards the mm1 but beolab 4 still under consideration.
 
This is the correct diagram:

8533931053_e2e0c7116e_o.jpg
 
Just received and installed the MM1s.

I can report that they are brilliant. The sound quality is very good and for the size exceptionally so. The design, the build and the control are excellent too.

I am playing itunes - airplay/remote - airport.
 
They are smaller than the Genelecs, the bass driver is only 3 inches, so very compact. The sound is simply excellent. They have DSP which I think means there is progressive loudness compensation (bass lift at low volume levels) which is part of the reason I got them. For bedroom, i.e. low level listening they are excellent. Also would be perfect for an office or any small/portable system. Recommended.
 
I had a short listen to these when they first came out and wasn't blown away, certainly not for the price tag. My only experience of owning b&w is the p5 headphones, which I loved to begin with but Iiked less and less as I got to know the sound. How does their presentation compare to other actives you have heard? Will be interested to hear your continued thoughts on them.
 
Hi AlmaataKZ,

You should by the super spikes for this ATC. ths will imporve the bass a lot!

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Hi Jevs,

my sistem si also quite similar!!

OLIVE 06HD

CHORD QDB76HDSD

CHORD PRIMA PREAMP

ATC SCM 50 SLAT

Very happy wiht it!

kr

Eduardo
 
System update:

I have added an Apple TV to the system to be able to mirror the iPad screen on the TV and maybe occasionally rent a movie.

I found ATV to be excellent and easy to set up.

The whole of the system which now includes 9 devices is still controlled from a single remote and takes only one button press to set itself up for any activity. I absolutley love programmable remotes! Here are some new screenshots:

8924807601_4130c576c7_d.jpg
8924807543_d12960ce71_d.jpg


8924807755_0e1b17e29e_b_d.jpg
 
I am currently using Benchmark dac1 hdr to ATC actives but I also have a mid range av receiver (Maratz sr5005) which has digital optical and coax inputs. Have not checked but they should be 24/96 capable so should be as good as the Benchmark.

I also have rca to xlr adapters so I am going to try connecting the mac mini to the receiver via optical (and apple tv is already connected via hdmi) and then pre outs to the ATCs and see if I can hear any difference.

As the Benchmark has dual outputs, I am using the rca ones to feed the sub but with the receiver I will have to use the sub out (and will need another set of rca to xlr adapters as the sub is xlr only).

Should be interesting. Any bets?
 
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