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Need a power amp for a pair of ATC SCM 11's

Hi,
I'm new to this forum, but have been lurking a good while and finally I'm in need of some sage advice!
I'm in the process of purchasing a pair of ATC SCM 11's and I can't figure out what the best power amp would be.
The preamp is an RME ADI 2 DAC, which I love and is so customisable, so I'm kinda commited on that front.

I've seen recommendations here before for the Quad 909, there's a few of them on ebay at decent prices.
Another amp I've seen recommended is the  Wyred 4 Sound ST-500 mkII. 

Should I push the boat and spend the extra on the Wyred 4 Sound, or find a nice bargain on the Quad 909?

Any other recommendations or advice is extremely welcome!

Thanks a lot :-)
moomalade74
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,314 posts
 
ATC makes amps.  Just sayin'.
mofojo
2,262 posts
 
ATC is very revealing and inefficient from what I've heard. My current class d sounds absolutely great in 2 out of 3 of my speakers. My current mains which are very revealing and also happen to be the least efficient not as much. AB much better..
Also was running a Lyngdorf TDIA 2170 last year which I hold in high esteem as far as class d amps go. Sounded phenominal with efficient speakers. 4 ohm low efficiency not so much.  Ymmv.
 Had a Wyred dac one time but never one of their amps. 
jbs
92 posts
 
FWIW, I'm currently using the same Wyred ST 500MKII which I found used. Love it a as great all around amp, flexible and easy to transport. I also have the STP-SE so it prob helps that I've kept things in the family and can run fully differential.

I've used it with a few pairs of speakers (incl bookshelfs) and it always sounded good. I used to right next to SYVANE 50 watt monoblocks and to my ear it was not outclassed. The bass seemed better than the tube gear, maybe a bit more definition with the Wyred but the tube amps seemed to have a slightly larger soundstage. The Wyred was not blown out of the water which was really what I wanted to check out. 

I was running a Forte Model 3 before this and the Wyred seems better all around for my use. Enjoy. 


mcmvmx
108 posts
 
The Quad 909 is a nice neutral amp slightly on the warm sound . It would be a nice match with the ATC . 
Another option used would be a Mccormack if you can find some on the market as they dont show up very often .
What ever you get remember the ATC need amps so go with a amplifier capable to give a lot of current . Dynamics will suffer if not .
moomalade74 OP
8 posts
 
Thanks so much everybody for the feedback, this is so helpful and informative. What a great community this is. 

Seems like both the Wyred and Quad options a solid, so it's just a question of whether I spring the extra for a brand new bit of kit.

I think I'll go with the Wyred ST 500MKII, just need to 'massage' the price down a little when presenting to the missus:)
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