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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. 

ei001h
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
726 posts
 

@onhwy61 

I believe the OP, since he just purchased and now owns ATC150 passives is not looking for another active vs passive thread- there are numerous such threads and like everything else in audio land, they are filled with opinions about what is the best way...for some it's passive and their choice of amp, for others it's active and their choice of preamp, source, etc. ATC was very smart in knowing their market and giving their customers the choice. @ei001h do you have anyway to demo the amps in this thread with your new speakers?
 

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,317 posts
 

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.

nickofwimbledon
20 posts
 

There are a lot of ATC users on the Naim forum. If going solid-state, I would seriously consider a Naim 552/500 combo. Depending on where you are, there are many second-hand bargains (in relative terms). However, hearing before you buy will be vital and may mean that you have to buy any amplifiers new (or ex-dem) so that you can hear them in your house and with the SCM150s.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
1,002 posts
 

I don't see how the active version could sound better because a passive setup will ultimately cost about twice the price of an active setup.

Rest assured the OP's dealer would have encouraged him to buy the active version just as my dealer did. I didn't want to be stuck with the same amps and I wanted to be able to change my speaker cables.

I remember the Meridian and Naim active systems, no thanks.

What the ATC's need is tons of power to provide huge slam and presence. They are amazingly detailed and so far I haven't been able to catch them out in any way.

It is an absolute pleasure being able to play my MF Titan at full throttle through my SCM 100s without any worry of overloading them. Not just for volume but for the wonderful presence they provide.

The OP is having trouble finding a 1000w+ pc power amp because there aren't that many available. A few years ago I believe the EU cracked down on big power hungry power amps.

Anyway ATC have re-invented themselves and they are superb.

 

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,031 posts
 

About the OP  desire for very powerfull mono blocks amplifiers .

Do very powerfull mono blocks amps  means  ´´ musical ´´  amplifiers ?
The OP speakers are 91 DB sensativity .

Would that made much difference  on a musicality stand point ?

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