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Conference hips::uk_audioo

Title:	You get surface noise in real life too
Notice:	Let's be conformist
Moderator:	GOVT02::BARKER

Created:	Thu Jul 28 1988
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	550
Total number of notes:	3847

522.0. "Calling all ATC owners" by MARVIN::TANG (Henry C. Tang; IPEG-UK, DECPARK2, Reading, UK) Tue Jul 11 1995 15:46

Does anybody out there own a pair of ATC SCM monitors?

I am considering a purchase of a pair of SCM 50A's, so I would welcome comments
from any ATC owners.

So far, I have auditioned the 50A's in partnership with the following:

	Pre-amps:	Audiolab 8000Q
			AVI 2000MP

	CD Players:	Audiolab 8000CDM/DAC
			AVI
			Arcam Delta 270
			Marantz CD16

The combination which I favour so far is that of the 50A's with the Audiolab
8000Q as pre-amp, and the Marantz CD16 as the CD player.  This combination in my
view gives a very detailed, yet smooth, atmospheric, and rich sound.  I found
the Audiolab transport and DAC combination to have the purist sound, in
particular the treble was the most realistic, but it sounded bland and a touch
laid back musically.

The AVI combination which ATC recommend was very 'hi-fi' sounding, but not as
exciting to listen to as when fronted by the Marantz CD16.  The Audiolab pre-amp
offered a much cleaner and detailed sound than the AVI, with greater stereo
sound staging,and a more extended bass.  I'm not sure if the Marantz CD16 is the
most neutral sounding player around, but its musical attributes (whatever they
are) completement the analytical personalities of the Audiolab and ATCs well.

Any comments, hints or tips?

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
522.1	For the CD ?	VAGORA::WOOD		`Thu Jul 13 1995 09:17`	2
	Have you listened to a Micromega 3 or their drive/dac combinations. Isn't the Marantz 16 very expensive ?
522.2	CD16 expensive?	MARVIN::TANG	Henry C. Tang; IPEG-UK, DECPARK2, REO, UK	`Thu Jul 13 1995 12:40`	13
	re: 522.1 At 1400 pounds, I suppose you could say that the Marantz CD16 is expensive, but on the other hand, not half as expensive as the ATC SCM 50A speakers. The shop which I auditioned the components at (mentioned in 522.0), The Powerplant in Brighton, also stocks Micromega CD players, but I didn't get time to audition the Stage 3 or any other Micromega machines. I might do so at a later date. Thanks for the suggestion. H.
522.3	Cheaper option..	KERNEL::CBANKS	UK CSC Basingstoke	`Tue Jul 18 1995 04:33`	17
	If you want to save some money you can get the ATC's in kit form from Wilmslow Audio. They do the 50a and 100a's. Also I recently saw the ATC/AVI combination for sale second hand in one of the Hi-Fi mags for 2,500 pounds for both (drawback was they were Teak finish). Tempting although I believe there are different revisions of the ATC's power amps. Colin
522.4	Wilmslow Audio ATC kits?	MARVIN::TANG	Henry C. Tang; IPEG-UK, DECPARK2, REO, UK	`Wed Jul 19 1995 10:55`	13
	re 522.3 Has anybody tried, own or know someone who has built an ATC 50a or 100a kit from Wilmslow Audio? Are the self assembly MDF cabinets of inferrior quality to the ones on ATC genuine factory made models? And what abuot the difference in sound quality, if any between the kits and the factory made ATCs? Can anybody expand on the differences/chnages in spec made to the amp packs with past/current models. H.