2. amps-preamps
  3. 150008-134308

Preamp for ATCSCM40A

Greetings,
I am about 2 months into a new pair of ATCSCM 40A active speakers. Loving them BTW, and I am wondering if I can do better in regards to the preamp. I love the punchy and fast sound the active speakers make with rock & pop music (80% of my collection) , however it is just a tad upfront and relentless in it’s presentation. Not unpleasant so, just a little bit on the cold / and very accurate side.

So I was after a sound just a little bit smoother - but not too much more smoother/darker than the naim 252. If it has more resolution and a bigger soudstage, then that would be a bonus as well.

The rest of my system is naim audio NDS/555DR streamer/DAC and 252 preamp with Supercap2DR. I am not that unhappy with my naim front end, just wondering if I can perhaps do better with my preamp.
To go to a naim 552 (the next model up) I can not afford to do that now (and possibly forever, as it is a rather expensive preamp). I want to keep my naim NDS/555DR as well, as I just love it.

Some shortlisted preamps I have looked at so far and within my budget were:

PS Audio BHK preamp - (very good, but an odd volume set up from all accounts, weird click noise when using it)

Pass Audio XP-22 - (very good, but the above PS Audio was similar in sound quality - but the Pass Audio has a much better volume control in a recent Stereophile Review)

Mola Mola Makua - (very good and not many negatives)

ATC - SCA2 - (an OK preamp by all accounts and it will clearly match their own active speakers. Just not sure it is smooth enough or very upfront like the SCM40A. Or for that matter good enough compared to others on this list).

I am pretty sure the ACT is a little bit restricted IRT the input signal via the XLR input. Only a input sensitivity of 1V ? So matching the preamp output signal can be tricky to find an ideal match with ? It prefers a lower signal impedence apparently, as the ARC Ref. 6 that I was looking at is a no-go because of a very high output impednace in the XLR of 600ohms. I was told to try for about a 50 ohms or under output from the preamp XLR output when matching with the ATC SCM40A.

Any other suggestions or advice ? Or am I going to be up for a sideways move at best with the preamp suggestions and budget from my above list ?


Any help very much appreciated.

Regards,
Peter
seadog1234
pani
1,219 posts
 
Having used many of the Naim components and also an ATC user for few years. Couple of things I learnt
1. Powerlines are poor stuff. Replace it with Naim standard power cord (the free one) and watch the magic come back.

2. Power conditioners like QBASE spoil the balance of Naim. In fact they are designed so well so as to be used direct to the wall. If one has to use a power line filter, it should be a really good regenerator. I don't know which one. Something like the Stormtank?

3. No audiophile voiced rack please. I even don't like the Fraim a lot. Sometimes they do too much. A simpler Hutter rack just dissappears. 

Basically, IME, these things help you hear the Naim the way it was suppose to sound. ATC will reproduce it faithfully.

If you have to try power cord, check out Audio Note Isis copper mains cable. Smooth and colorless
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i suggest an audio research reference series linestage... true balanced hybrid tube circuit

i had great luck with my ref 3 into atc scm20a's
hedwigstheme
140 posts
 
Haven’t heard it but I’d like to hear the Coda 07x with the ATC 40a.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


seadog1234 OP
Preamp for ATCSCM40A


Great speaker but yes, can be a bit in your face.

Your ATC’s only need 1v in for full output just before clipping. And most sources today give out over 2v some up to 6v so you don’t need a preamp with any more gain. But you do need one that can handle long interconnects to the speakers.

I suggest looking at a US built Schiit Freya+ as it has very little gain and also nice low output impedance to be able to handle long interconnects, it’s output impedance is a nice low 75ohm in tube or solid state SE mode, and comes with remote, so an ideal candidate.
And in tube mode will take away a bit of the "relentlessness" yet you could still switch to solid state mode for slap in the face rock when needed.

https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-1

Cheers George
vinylvalet
902 posts
 
I agree with those that suggest addressing cordage issues first. I've had uniformly good experience with Wireworld products. I also agree that your best bet is staying within the Naim brand if you decide to upgrade your line stage. With that said, I consider Naim in general to offer poor value in the US.

With my ATC SCM100ASLT speakers, after experimenting with very good tube and solid state components (including ATC, all of which are a good match and offer good value), have settled on the Coda 07x line stage and 06x phono stage. IMHO, anyone considering a Pass purchase should audition Coda as well. Similar but slightly better sound quality at lower cost.

I disagree with the ATC, "in your face", comment. I've had other ATC speakers in my home including the latest revision passive 40s. With the proper gear and careful speaker/listening position placement, I've never experienced this with any ATC speaker, including the very revealing ATC SCM20ASL pro monitors in my recording studio. ATC is no different than any other speaker brand incorrectly used.
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