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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,199 posts
 
+1 @klh007
lp2cd
101 posts
 
AFAIC, these days active speakers are almost always the way to go. My Swiss-built high-end professional PSI A21-M active studio monitors are entirely analog, no DSP jiggery-pokery, and they've completely extinguished my upgradeitis itch. They'd be perfect for the mid-sized home environment as well, although for true 25Hz & up full range a good, actively crossed over sub, would be necessary.
tdwolf1414
11 posts
 
Those ATC SCM40a’s are amazing speakers! That is my someday speaker. I listened to them at my dealer and the seed was planted.
craig1512
12 posts
 
Same results as OP, although was a solid state guy, now have Kii Threes and very happy with this setup.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@tdwolf1414,

The ATC SCM 40a's also come in a passive version.

So comparisons should be fairly straightforward.

From what I've read most everyone prefers the actives.
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