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ATC SCM150 Amp and Preamp recommendations

Just received my ATC SCM150 passive speakers last week and looking for amplifier suggestions.

I have a large, well-treated room (45' x 16' x 8') and primarily listen to large-scale classical music — symphonies, piano concertos, cello works, etc.
For me, dynamics are critical, but so are tone, instrumental timbre, and harmonic richness.

Front-end setup:

  • Technics 1200G with Umami Red cartridge

  • Luxman EQ-500 phono stage

  • Aurender A100 streamer/DAC

So far, I’ve tried the following amplifiers:

  • Classe Delta Stereo + matching preamp: very polite sound, but too soft on top, poor bass control, slow and muddy low end, recessed midrange — overall unable to properly control the speakers.

  • Luxman L-595A SE: gorgeous microdynamics and a liquid, beautiful midrange; however, limited in dynamics and authority due to power constraints. No brightness !

  • Auris Fortissimo (tube amp): outstanding midrange and highs with a very holographic presentation, but again lacks bass energy and authority due to lower power output.

  • Luxman 507Z - way too bright for ATC, so assuming Luxman M10 will be just as bright 

Given these impressions, I'm now looking for a serious amp/preamp combination that can bring out the full potential of the SCM150s — maintaining musicality and tonal beauty but with the dynamic slam and control these speakers demand. 

Budget: ~$20-30k for amplification, ~$10-15k for a preamp (open to used market gear)
I'm also open to bi-amping if someone has successfully done it with the SCM150s.

Amplifiers I'm considering:

  • Electrocompaniet AW800

  • Simaudio Moon 861 monoblocks

  • Hegel H30 monoblocks

I'm also looking for preamp recommendations to pair with the above amps — ideally something that adds a touch of tube warmth and harmonic richness, but without softening transients or slowing down the dynamics.

Would love to hear from anyone with direct experience driving SCM150s, or who can recommend synergistic combinations that deliver both the dynamic authority and tonal sophistication I'm after. 

ei001h
lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
1,070 posts
 

I don't see how the active version could sound better because a passive setup will ultimately cost about twice the price of an active setup.

Rest assured the OP's dealer would have encouraged him to buy the active version just as my dealer did. I didn't want to be stuck with the same amps and I wanted to be able to change my speaker cables.

I remember the Meridian and Naim active systems, no thanks.

What the ATC's need is tons of power to provide huge slam and presence. They are amazingly detailed and so far I haven't been able to catch them out in any way.

It is an absolute pleasure being able to play my MF Titan at full throttle through my SCM 100s without any worry of overloading them. Not just for volume but for the wonderful presence they provide.

The OP is having trouble finding a 1000w+ pc power amp because there aren't that many available. A few years ago I believe the EU cracked down on big power hungry power amps.

Anyway ATC have re-invented themselves and they are superb.

 

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,035 posts
 

About the OP  desire for very powerfull mono blocks amplifiers .

Do very powerfull mono blocks amps  means  ´´ musical ´´  amplifiers ?
The OP speakers are 91 DB sensativity .

Would that made much difference  on a musicality stand point ?

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
1,035 posts
 

Is there such a thing as   ´´ the quality of the watt ´´  ?

Or is ´´ a watt ´´   only ´´ a watt ´´  ?
 

Post removed 
erice64
9 posts
 

Get the ATC SC-2 pre-amp to start with. This opens up the sound in a spectacular way.

You can add any amp you like. From tube or solid as for your liking. The ATC P1 and P2 are surely great but not the endgame, the SC-2 however is..

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