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New game with active speakers

Been at this audiophile game for some decades and felt I had a handle on most parameters, until active speakers.  I’ve been a tube guy for years since leaving my Sugden Class A integrated:  Manley stuff and the latest, a deHavilland Mercury 3 preamp.  Now I find that active speakers do not necessarily like tubes.  At least mine don’t.

Decided to send my deHavilland in for upgrades and went to using the preamp section of my Sugden A21SE.  Wow!  Better in every way.   How is that?   More dynamic, better attack.  Now I have an ATC CA2 preamp to drive the ATC 40As and the synergism is terrific!  

A dealer of ATC speakers echoed the observation.  He stated he too was for years a tube guy, until active speakers.  Now I’m back to solid state after years of sneering at those clots still mired in SS.  Those neophytes, Philistines.  Oh, how humbling.


celtic66

Showing 5 responses by celtic66

celtic66 OP
1,616 posts
 
Sorry, got carried away.  Affordable.  Really?  With no parameters?  Throw out a number please.
celtic66 OP
1,616 posts
 
Carefully viewed the Meadowlark website.  I found it odd, exhibiting a near complete lack of design details and bereft of any pricing schedule.

Mind you, I listened to their previous stable of product and liked them.  I wish them well, but find this marketing direction untenable.  Hope they sound great.  No mention could I find of auditioning, return policy or access other than special order and purchase.

Thanks for responses regarding active speakers.
celtic66 OP
1,616 posts
 
No one can answer that question but your ears.  I swam in audiophile waters for decades seeking the resolute yet warm waters of non-fatiguing amplification and transducers.  Tube guy I was.  Rogers LS3/5As.  Give me some more safe moderate aural schmooze.

In the end analysis I’ve bolted and ran towards exciting, dynamic, slamming, immediate attack when I want it.  I run my ATC SCM 40 actives moderately 95% of the time.  When I want Shostakovich in my face at 112 decibels, then I open up the throttle and bathe in a symphonic tsunami.

I’m convinced only active can get you there.  A bit disheveled perhaps, but you will arrive!
celtic66 OP
1,616 posts
 
Good number.  ATC SCM 19A tower.  
Just purchased that speaker for a friend of mine.  They wasted his Merlin Black Magic monitors with Master Zoebel caps mounted on massed 24” Sound Organization stands driven by Manley Mahi Mahi mono blocks (upgraded tubes) with appropriate cabling and equipment stand.
No slouch pairing, regardless, annihilated.
celtic66 OP
1,616 posts
 
SCM 100s.  A gold standard to be sure.  It’s like the V12 of transducers.  Smooth, powerful with hair-raising velocity.  Good for you. 
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