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ATC SCM 50A active towers review

Now with 30 hours playing time I can at least state these exceed by a substantial margin my ATC SCM 40A actives, which are quite good in their realm of price/performance, but are truly left behind by the new kid on the block.

Thank you Tom at Big Ear Stereo and Lonesome Mountain (ATC distributor) for affecting the deal.

Expectations for me were of improvement of scale and dynamics given of course larger drivers driven by larger amps.  However, and it is a considerable however, the 50As travel well beyond by delivering a far deeper, more complete and penetrating soundstage.  Closer to that elusive 'live' experience.  And yes they are very much more dynamic, immediate and slammin' terrifying!  But not like a PA system.  It all remains quite civilized and non-fatiguing.

SPLs are there without the shriek or compression.  Nothing sounds overwhelming nor head severing.  This being their consumer line, may be tuned differently.  I've no experience with ATC Pro products.

Naim Core, Weiss 501 DAC, Decware ZLC power conditioning, Quadraspire Reference X equipment stand, commensurate cabling, ATC 50As with Gaia l footers.

celtic66

Showing 3 responses by celtic66

celtic66 OP
1,703 posts
 

Now at approximately 200 hrs. break-in time on both the ATC 50s and Weiss 501 DAC, everything has settled in nicely.  The improvements while palpable are not monumental in scale.  It was never cold, muffled and/or thin.

Great recordings are superlative in reproduction while lesser qualitative material is rendered listenable and therefore enjoyable, but certainly not 'fixed'.

This combination will remain for years.

 

celtic66 OP
1,703 posts
 

mofojo    Correct, Weiss 501 DAC directly into ATCs with Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8  interconnects XLR both ends.  DAC is the preamp.  Have NOT messed with DSP yet.  Waiting for full break-in of both pieces first.  Cheers

celtic66 OP
1,703 posts
 

admranger   At this very moment I am listening to my ‘old’ ATC 40As at my friend’s house in Port Angeles, WA.  I hauled them over and gifted them as I’ve the 50As now.  The ATC 40As replaced his ATC 19As which he admits are nice, but really no competition, especially in midrange and the bottom.  Simply more balance.  Again, have fun with the journey.  You are on the right track.  Ciao

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