Why did you go with the passive version?
The active version only use 350 watts per channel, yet they recommend over 1k watts for the passive version. Could someone explain the disparity? Both version have a max output of 117dB.
ATC SCM150 Amp and Preamp recommendations
Just received my ATC SCM150 passive speakers last week and looking for amplifier suggestions.
I have a large, well-treated room (45' x 16' x 8') and primarily listen to large-scale classical music — symphonies, piano concertos, cello works, etc.
For me, dynamics are critical, but so are tone, instrumental timbre, and harmonic richness.
Front-end setup:
-
Technics 1200G with Umami Red cartridge
-
Luxman EQ-500 phono stage
-
Aurender A100 streamer/DAC
So far, I’ve tried the following amplifiers:
-
Classe Delta Stereo + matching preamp: very polite sound, but too soft on top, poor bass control, slow and muddy low end, recessed midrange — overall unable to properly control the speakers.
-
Luxman L-595A SE: gorgeous microdynamics and a liquid, beautiful midrange; however, limited in dynamics and authority due to power constraints. No brightness !
-
Auris Fortissimo (tube amp): outstanding midrange and highs with a very holographic presentation, but again lacks bass energy and authority due to lower power output.
-
Luxman 507Z - way too bright for ATC, so assuming Luxman M10 will be just as bright
Given these impressions, I'm now looking for a serious amp/preamp combination that can bring out the full potential of the SCM150s — maintaining musicality and tonal beauty but with the dynamic slam and control these speakers demand.
Budget: ~$20-30k for amplification, ~$10-15k for a preamp (open to used market gear)
I'm also open to bi-amping if someone has successfully done it with the SCM150s.
Amplifiers I'm considering:
-
Electrocompaniet AW800
-
Simaudio Moon 861 monoblocks
-
Hegel H30 monoblocks
I'm also looking for preamp recommendations to pair with the above amps — ideally something that adds a touch of tube warmth and harmonic richness, but without softening transients or slowing down the dynamics.
Would love to hear from anyone with direct experience driving SCM150s, or who can recommend synergistic combinations that deliver both the dynamic authority and tonal sophistication I'm after.
Showing 6 responses by onhwy61
I'm not looking for a generic active vs passive thread. I'm looking for ATC dealers to comment on active vs passive large ATC monitors. I would think that this is an appropriate thread to ask such. The OP directly answered my earlier question on the subject. I would just like to hear dealers' opinions. BTW, I do have an opinion on this subject, but I believe other participants are far more knowledgeable about ATC. |
If a loudspeaker enclosure is a poor environment for an amplifier, then it's an equally poor environment for a loudspeaker crossover. Perhaps ATC should offer outboard line level crossover units so that audiophiles could pick and choose their own amplifiers without incurring the downsides of high level crossovers. I suspect the people at ATC would say "why not just buy our powered loudspeakers?" But based upon this thread there could be a market demand for such a product.
|
@lonemountain thank you for participating. Perhaps ATC will pickup my suggestion of an outboard active crossover? I imagine the OP made the best choice for his specific situation. |
Thank you for your response. No disrespect to the OP, but I couldn't imagine not getting the powered ATCs. It would be comparable to getting the big MBL Radials and not using matching MBL amps. Both are designed as loudspeaker systems. But others clearly disagree. It's possible that the details of calibration might actually appeal to those looking to achieve their desired sound profile. Probably a very niche market. |