ATC SCM40A speakers

I run my SCM40V2’s with a Cary SLP05 with ultimate upgrade and Raytheon VT231’s and CBS Hytron 5692’s (latter in input buffer). I have a hard disagree with use of the passive or active versions with a tube preamp. I replaced my otherwise excellent but hard sounding SCM35’s with these speakers, so 22 years of living with ATC speakers. I think my setup (with a SST Son smp) sounds better than any combo driving these speakers (including ATC electronics). I haven’t heard anything below $10K that matches the passive version, and IMHO if you get the active version, a tube preamp will slightly soften the edge on the sound but will give a better spatial sense of air around the instruments and make the sound more lifelike.

I add that my amplification setup sounds better than any that I have heard, not better than any available! I bet the Gryphon 333 Diablo would sound amazing if one wanted only solid state amplification (or its little brother), and I bet that an Audio Research Ref 6se and Reference 80S amp would be wonderful for an all tube route!

Any heard with this speaker, I will get my comment right eventually!

Thanks for all the comments. 

Yes, I'm wanting to change to active speakers. 

My McIntosh MCD600 CDP has a lovely preamp section that will go out  straight to the speakers.

What the 803s do really well is imaging and soundstaging.

Glad to hear the 40s also do that well.

What the 803s do a  little much of is the treble.

Glad to hear the 40s have a sweeter treble.

The 803s are a little light in the bass.

Glad to hear the 40s are warmer.

Again, thanks for all the helpful information.

Any and all further information is much appreciated. 

@tomcarr I'll chime in, as a newcomer to home audio with ATC, I am running the passive SCM40 V2's with a Moon North 761 amp. I spent a few hours at my local dealer listening to the SCM40 actives and passives. The Active versions were driven by the latest ATC preamp/controller. The digital source was the new Moon 681 network streamer DAC (also has a volume control so it can be used to drive amps direct). Spent a decent amount of time getting acquainted with the setup and performance and was really impressed song after song. Midrange coherence was the first thing to stand out to me; so expressive and natural. Big wide and deep sound field that just sounded so right. We switched to the passive version, placing them in the same spots (man those actives are HEAVY!! Like you can't believe how heavy they are in pretty small footprint) which were driven by Moon north 641 integrated amp (same Moon dac as source). Repeated the same tracks and then some more. Song after song I was really enjoying myself and that internal audio voice "buy these now" was whispering to me. At home I have the next level up in the moon north line, the 741 and 791. There was a definite synergy present with the simaudio gear and the ATC passives, we all heard it, and were all pretty blown away. I think I do agree about the sweet treble and warmish tone. I think however, to me, it's actually real sounding, not a coloration. I'm guessing it's the result of the seamless integration of the truly one-of-a kind ATC soft dome midrange and the woofer in the sealed cabinet design. The midband energy launches out and you can hear the tone of strings, bass lines, etc. The energy just passes through in a really compelling way. For me, this is new information. I've had tons of speakers passing through my quarters over the years, and there is definitely something to these ATCs that often just grabs me and carries me away in the musical energy.  Some of my favorite speakers to pass through here are Harbeths. I think the ATC's embrace what Harbeth gets so right in the midrange and builds on that at both ends of the spectrum.  I think you will be very impressed with the active versions - I might have just walked away with those but I am still enamored with power amps, and I really like what the 761 brings to the table and there is no way I can part with this amp yet.  It's good to read accounts of ATC active users running them with various line stages and tuning them to one's personally subjective appreciation. Good luck and let us know what you decide!