ATC 100

ATC 100s are available in a passive version.

IMLE Naim pres and ATC actives work well together. I wouldn't get hung up on the idea of 'balanced' connections in the controlled environment of home audio, it's a high end fashion thing.

Paul

The 100's sensitivity is rated at 88db, so driving them with a 500 should not be an issue.

I want to know how a SCM100/NAP500 combo would sound. Or perhaps the SCM150?

Chris Bell

Chris--

I'm sure I can find a home for your DBLs in Denver...



Best,

Bob

Bob,

I can finance anyone the law allows.



Chris

Chris Bell, check your private topics. david

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Given all the BS that goes on here about stands/spurs/interconnect cables, I'm amazed that you are prepared to dismiss balanced connectors which do have useful (and measurable) properties so readily... and as "fashion" no less.

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I didn't 'dismiss'. And it has become a high end fashion. Basically: don't dismiss a single ended output on a preamp into ATC active speakers. The paranoid could hook up a balancing transformer, only £25 or so per channel.

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Also, why is the home enviroment more "controlled" with respect to emi/rf interference??

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Well a balanaced connection will do little for you in respect of emi or rf. Certainly not to be depended on. Where you indubitably win is in (electrostatic) crosstalk between cables on long runs and ground loop avoidance. Neither is a big problem in a domestic environment compared to the typical studio or broadcast facility where hundreds of cables carrying audio, video and digital may be bundled together for 100s of metres.

Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Ranson on MONDAY 10 November 2003 at 13:41.]

Paul:

Could you elaborate on the balancing transformer options if one wanted to use a Naim preamp to drive five meter interconnects over to the ATC actives, which have balanced xlr inputs? I've seen mention of one such device of on audioasylum, but I thought the specs were a mismatch somehow.

Would one of these transformers muck up the sound? How would such a setup compare to simply making up din-to-xlr cables - which is what all of us Naim/active ATC users have done so far?

I've run ATC Active 10s with a NAC82 (and a hicap, obviously, to give it power). Works fine. ATC's own recommended preamp for these speakers, the CA2, only offers unbalanced outputs (on XLR connectors, however, which may fool the unaware into thinking it's balanced. It isn't).

As for cabling, I had it running with a pair of 6m DIN->XLR custom cables from Chord (Andrew: you simply connect the pre to the hicap, and then use two outputs on the hi to the speakers).

My experience, more generally, is that balanced operation in a domestic audio context is more a marketing question than a sonic one.

-- Ian

Aren't ATCs too accurate?

Chris, I don't like the ATCs. They are very good when loud, very accurate, but a bit lacking in groove or flow. A bit B&W like if you know what I mean. However if you can't have a Naim speaker, maybe you should try the Neat MF9 which has soe qualities that you may like if you like Naim speakers. Or Quad 989/988? regards, Dev

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Originally posted by PR:

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What setup?

From memory, LP12, NAC52, ATC 100.

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How would such a setup compare to simply making up din-to-xlr cables - which is what all of us Naim/active ATC users have done so far?

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I don't know how it would compare. I would use the direct connection. You can get technical benefits from balanced inputs regardless of the output.

There are a wide variety of transformers available, look at http://www.sowter.co.uk/ for examples.

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So, what might be a long run? 10m doesn't seem an unreasonable length in this context.

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Runs of 100s of metres are common in a 'professional' context. But more importantly is the lack of care about what runs with what and the sheer density of cabling. I used to work at BBC Television Centre, the technical areas have flooring raised about 3 feet above the concrete. In places that would be full of cabling, video, audio and other.

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(As a side topic, are naim fussy about the pre->amp cable length?)

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Naim preamps have a low output impedance so cable length shouldn't be an issue.

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Also, how would you power active speakers? And route the signal/power cables?

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I don't understand this. With the mains and along the skirting board?

Paul

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Originally posted by Paul Ranson:

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(As a side topic, are naim fussy about the pre->amp cable length?)

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Naim preamps have a low output impedance so cable length shouldn't be an issue

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i thought Naim insists on having a minimum length ( 5 meter ) speaker cables?

The systems at issue don't have any speaker cables...

-- Ian

and its 3.5 meters min. on speaker cables

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Originally posted by sideshowbob:
The systems at issue don't have any speaker cables...

-- Ian

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oops. I was thinking ATC passive...didn't read the thread all the way. :

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But there is a huge practical difference - it is much easier to get balanced cables than phono->XLR (there's also the issue of which end to tether -ve to ground.)
Try going to a dealer and asking for a phono->XLR..

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Any pro audio shop can provide the necessary. And so can many dealers, mine gave me some for free when I bought my ATCs (I was using a preamp with only phono outputs at the time).

-- Ian

My dealer lent me some hellaciously expensive Madrigal cable to try when I bought my speakers (it cost the same as the speakers IIRC). Like you, I eventually settled on microphone cable, cost me about £12 I believe. I don't feel I'm missing out.

For future reference, the Chord Company will produce custom terminations of any of their cables for not too much money, since your local pro audio shops are obviously no good

-- Ian

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For instance, there is significant dealer ignorance about how to connect single ended outputs to balanced inputs.

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Earth to minus, plus to plus.

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I was hoping you might discuss the merits of plugging in the speakers to the nearest socket vs. trailing the power cables back to the other components along with the signal leads. Your thoughts?

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I'll leave that to the experts you referenced.

I'd plug the speakers in where convenient, this is professional equipment, it sneers at audiophilia and blows its fuse on a multiple spur.

Paul

Chris--

In all seriousness, what happened with the DBLs?

Bob