ATC SCM40 + NAP250 DR

I went to demo SCM40 mk2 passive with 250DR, and also the dealers 300DR.

300 clearly had the edge, but the 250 handled the speakers very well indeed...... then I heard the SCM40 actives
I sold my 250DR TQ UB speaker cables which in effect made the active version the less expensive option.

N272/555 into 40A are making fabulous music with emotion punch imagery with only a few boxes.  

SCM40 mk2 well worth a listen

I run the SCM 19 mk2 (also Sensitivity: 85dB @ 1W @ 1metre) with my NAP250, and it works wonderfully with lovely dynamics, detail, imusical nsight and punch... and sounds great when rocking loud if required..

To be fair the NAP200 drove them rather well too, albeit with less bass authority and insight and fine immersive detail , but I think that is more the nature of the amp. I did try a NaitXS, it did sound good with great bounce, but the bass was a little soft.. so perhaps there not quite enough grunt.

Simon

very interesting, what did the active speakers do better compared to even NAP 300DR?

The actives , like most reports on active systems have a real sense that everything is working in its own space and time to recreate the music as a whole.  Dynamic is a good word,  complicated music themes are presented in an easy to understand way. 

I've just been listening to some HiRes tracks loaded yesterday, Paul Simon Graceland has never sounded so good.

I really wanted to like the 300DR, and take it home.... however the economics of the 40a costing less than the 300DR....by the time I'd sold my previous equipment I'm within a tank of fuel of the incomers.
Plus I now only need two shelves not 4 for my new rack, and no more SL cables to lust after

As always.  You need to demo them, to decide.

Parlee - very interesting observations.

How do the 40As sound in low sound volumes? I recall reading a review that says they aren't as strong in this area, how did you find them?

Very interesting read Parlee-King. I've actually considered 272 + active ATC combo but I don't have a chance to audition active ATC's anywhere in Finland. I have SCM40 mk2 with SN2 + HCDR and this combo also drives them quite well. I'm sure 250DR does a fine job with them but I keep on reading the reports of superb performance of the active versions. I'm actually more interested in the new SCM19A as I think it would fit better in my room. What I'm concerned about is 272's performance as a source since even NDX couldn't match Naim DAC which I currently use. 

They do snap into focus at a certain point, but that's no different to previous systems I've run over the last 40 years, not a problem for serious listening.   So levels which we can still talk to each other

As always all depends on what the individual deem to be low volumes, they have such low levels of distortion that I find I just keep turning them up.  They will go very loud indeed with no strain....proper party animals if you like.

We use them with the centrally placed TV at low to normal levels,.

Parlee, which cables do you use to connect the 272 to the ATC's as I understand the ATC's have XLR inputs and how do you connect to the 272? Are they stock cables or specially made, did you try different cables and do they make a difference?

I also have a 272, 555 dr combo with 250dr and Pmc 20.23's and I'm intrigued by active Atc's.

many thanks.

I have 272/250.2/ATC SCM40 here, and I'm as happy as a sand boy.  250DR will drive SCM40, with ease. You will be able to produce dangerous sound pressure levels at 1.8m, with very little distortion.

Russt posted:

Parlee, which cables do you use to connect the 272 to the ATC's as I understand the ATC's have XLR inputs and how do you connect to the 272? Are they stock cables or specially made, did you try different cables and do they make a difference?

I also have a 272, 555 dr combo with 250dr and Pmc 20.23's and I'm intrigued by active Atc's.

many thanks.

Klyde posted:

I have 272/250.2/ATC SCM40 here, and I'm as happy as a sand boy.  250DR will drive SCM40, with ease. You will be able to produce dangerous sound pressure levels at 1.8m, with very little distortion.

Same question to you Klyde if you don't mind.

I've been interested for some time in the new ATCSCM series because of their sealed box design (better suited to small rooms suffering boom I feel). More so the SCM40 with it's renown 75m.m. mid range driver. and latterly the active version. Only thing is I have a NAP300DR. How would it compare purely in SQ terms?

Both possible contenders if I ever have the need to replace my Allaes.

Hi, Graham, of course I don't mind. I use the Naim DIN to XLR, and 2 x 5m NACA5 cables.

The ATC 75mm dome mid range driver is superb, and seamlessly integrated with the bass driver and tweeter.

Klyde posted:

Hi, Graham, of course I don't mind. I use the Naim DIN to XLR, and 2 x 5m NACA5 cables.

The ATC 75mm dome mid range driver is superb, and seamlessly integrated with the bass driver and tweeter.

 

 

 

Thanks Klyde. I thought you were using active SCM40's, (misread your reply) hence the question. Apologies.

on the one hand the idea of a Hugo TT driving active speakers seems very attractive.

I did get to audition a Chord Dave direct into Linn 350 Active speakers, and then added a Linn Klimax Control preamp, and there was no doubt to all who heard it, that the music was better with the preamp.

On the Linn forum, one member got to try the latest Katalyst DS Klimax streamer and found the same, it was better into the same speakers with the Linn preamp.

i run 250dr into scm11 which are the same sensitivity -- no issues

I'm using a Y cable made up and supplied by ATC with the speakers.  it very thin and blue, other than that I'm not sure what it is.  DIN to L&R XLR  4m.

Certainly inexpensive compared to many I've used...£15/m including terminations
The terminations are XLR but i understand they are not actually a balanced feed, and that single ended is preferred even if the pre-amp/streamer has balanced outputs.

others have used Chord Shawline to good effect.

I demoed both the SCM40 passives and SCM40A actives at home but at different times. I decided to purchase the actives, the actives had more 'clarity' (like fuzzy veil was lifted off the music), instruments sounded more real, and bass was tighter and better controlled. Strongly recommend you try.

+1 to Chord Shawline. Easily preferred it to anything else I tried. See my profile for custom single ended wiring for Chord Hugo TT to ATC actives.

I agree with Parlee King in that it's easy to crank up the volume due to low distortion and not realise just how loud you are playing.

The SCM40A render low volumes very well, certainly as good if not better than the PMC 20.23 I used to own who claim their speakers excel at low volumes. It's not an issue.

It amazes me that these speakers have been around for so long, are universally acclaimed by critics, and used widely by recording studios the world over, seem to have a relatively small hi-fi customer base.

Perhaps because they don't have a glitzy marketing dept? - I guess they feel don't really need one... and I think this obsession of needing powerful amps with the passives puts some off, and of course that is simply not true for most domestic listening levels. Also not everyone likes honesty and transparency, some like their speakers sugar coated.

S

Halloween Man posted:

 

The SCM40A render low volumes very well, certainly as good if not better than the PMC 20.23 I used to own who claim their speakers excel at low volumes. It's not an issue.

It amazes me that these speakers have been around for so long, are universally acclaimed by critics, and used widely by recording studios the world over, seem to have a relatively small hi-fi customer base.

I have the 20.23 now, and as I do a lot of low level listening, its good to hear SCM40A also excel in this area. 

I really think SCM40 would have a much larger fan base if ATC could offer something as an alternative to the very unpleasant looking metal grills they currently use. 

I like the look of the grill covers, we leave them on and they seem to act as diffusers as well with no negative aspect to the sound. They help make the speaker look less obviously hifi like.... but yes it took a little while to get used to the new look as they are unconventional.

Elevensheep posted:

I really think SCM40 would have a much larger fan base if ATC could offer something as an alternative to the very unpleasant looking metal grills they currently use. 

I think they look rather smart. After initially thinking they looked a bit odd (reminded me of the old Gale 301 speakers) when i first saw pictures, i thought they looked really good in the flesh (much better than the old ATC grilles). 

I love the grills! The offer real protection, they look great, and are much higher quality than the cloth grills my 20.23 used to have. For me, they are a selling point but they do seem to have a Marmite effect when it comes to look.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Perhaps because they don't have a glitzy marketing dept? - I guess they feel don't really need one... and I think this obsession of needing powerful amps with the passives puts some off, and of course that is simply not true for most domestic listening levels. Also not everyone likes honesty and transparency, some like their speakers sugar coated.

S

I think you make some good points Simon. There are also relatively few ATC hi-fi dealers - for example there is not a single one in the north east of England.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

and I think this obsession of needing powerful amps with the passives

I demoed the SCM40 passives with ATC P1 power amp - it was a mightily impressive combination, if it wasn't for the actives I would have stuck with it. The P1 is a superb amp and true dual mono design. Again it puzzles me why ATC amps aren't more popular.