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Amp pairing for ATC SCM11 (v2)

I’ve just ordered some ATC SCM11 V2 speakers, polarizing for some people in these forums, perhaps I should have left a trigger warning.

I’m a bit concerned that my current amp, the Rega Elex-R (72.5W into 8 Ohms and 90W into 6 Ohms), might not be powerful enough to drive them. I have a feeling I read that the impedance lies somewhere in-between 6-8 Ohms but I can't find where I read that.

I heard these speakers in person and I thought they sounded incredible to my ears, but I’ve also read many accounts of them sounding flat without the right amp pairing.

The SCM11s have a power requirement of 75-300W, so I am right at the lower end. Billy Woodman said that they work best with Class A/B Amps.

I spent most of my budget on the speakers, so if I need a more powerful amp, the majority would have to come from selling my Rega. I have heard, however, that Rega amps are known for having high-quality current, I’m just not entirely sure what that means in practice. Has anybody tried this pairing already?

Or…

Does anybody have advice on somewhat affordable amp pairings that work well with the SCM11s? I came across a used Hegel H190, which I understand has a high damping factor, possibly helping the speakers perform better at lower volumes? 

Any suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated
Thank you.
small_heretic
8 responses Add your response
celtic66
1,654 posts
 

The ATCs are not as critical as some, but will benefit from decent stands, stand height and Herbie's Fat Dots placed under the cabinet.  You are correct in assessment that non-vented designs interact less with their environment.  Perhaps, keep the Rega and work on other improvements.  Cheers

small_heretic OP
1 posts
 

Thank you for these responses! I have a couple of options to consider here and i'm grateful for everyone's time.

There you have it. Spending more (or procuring better) on improved source and amps will always allow speakers to perform better.

My friend, who’s also into audio, once told me it's not worth upgrading unless you're spending at least $3k more due to diminishing returns. While that's not a universal rule—different gear has different 'flavours'—I felt my speakers were the weak link, and in my less-than-ideal space, the sealed cabinet design of the ATCs was a great solution.

Hearing them side by side with my old speakers felt like someone had removed pillows from my ears. That was two years ago, and I've been lusting after them ever since, just out of my budget until I found these preloved ones. I was well aware my amp might need upgrading down the line, but that’s a future consideration I want to be prepared for.

 


hhudo
15 posts
 

For SCM11 that Rega will be more than powerful enough. Is more about the synergy. I drive SCM40 with 110W amp, and don't feel anything's missing, I also compared my amp with some other much more powerful at the dealers place. 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 

There you have it. Spending more (or procuring better) on improved source and amps will always allow speakers to perform better.

I spent most of my budget on the speakers,

jfrmusic
266 posts
 

@small_heretic 

 

I had the Benchmark AHB2 Amp for several years with those ATCs. It worked really well. Those speakers need power to sound their best and they sound better at slightly higher volume.

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jallan
300 posts
 

I drive ATC SCM7v.2 speakers with a Schiit Aegir in my bedroom and it sounds terrific. If you want more headroom, go with a Vidar. I also have SCM40’s. These are not difficult speakers to drive if your amp has a good power supply.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Exposure amps are reputed to pair well with ATC speakers.  

freediver
1,173 posts
 

Congrats on some really good speakers..Since they are not really large speakers with DEEP bass,I assume your room isn’t real big & you don’t listen at head banger levels...
If I were you,I wouldn’t worry about your amp until you have several hundred hours run in time on those drivers..Once they are run in well,then do your critical listening..My opinion is high power is over rated unless you listen LOUD in a large room..WhatHiFI says:
"We use a range of speakers from Dali’s lively Zensor 3s and Dynaudio’s Emit M20s right the way to the ATC SCM11s and PMC Twenty 26s and at no point does the Rega fail to shine.​​​​​​

Of course a power output of 72W per channel into 8ohms isn’t enough to make the floor shake in really large rooms, but we think this amplifier is capable of decent levels in most set-ups.

It's as happy picking out finer threads of detail in the convoluted sections of Hans Zimmer's Mountains from the Interstellar soundtrack – often the first to be overlooked by less scrupulous amps – as it is unveiling variation in hammering electrics in Band of Horses' NW Apt.

We are pleased with the resolution on offer, and at no time is there a sense the Elex-R is overlooking subtleties for the benefit of the bigger picture.

We notice, again, that this amplifier is terrific at communicating the drama of the music. It has us hooked from the first note, right to the end of the piece."

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