Thanks. Your system is very high-end -- you should listen to the active SCM100 or SCM150s!

loftarasa July 08, 2013 21:17

I don't think you'll go wrong with either one cause they're effectively the same speaker - the SCM19 may be even better choice for home listening, and being able to hear it personally via demo eliminates the unknown factor of the SCM20SLs in your actual system.

Clarity at low levels is absolutely not an issue with the ATCs -- the only difference is the SPL. I listened at almost concert levels one night and the system just kept cranking, with no change in tonal balance or details, just volume. It was pretty awesome before I reached for the remote for the sake of my neighbors!

loftarasa April 25, 2013 23:21

Thanks! I did audition the SCM11, SCM19 and SCM40s. The
SCM11 are just unbelievable for what they can do, but I
wanted the SL driver for higher SPL and a bit more bass. The
SCM40s midrange driver is unreal for clarity but I found to
my surprise the integration across the tweeter and bass
driver was not as coherent as the 2-ways. Maybe they were
also not setup quite right when I heard them, as I should
imagine correct seating height is quite critical to get the
3-way to work. I went for the SCM20SL as they are about the
same price as the SCM19 but have a better/heavier cabinet
and also come with a more expensive SEAS tweeter instead of
the VIFA in the domestic entry levels. Also saw an internal
shot of the SCM19's crossover and wasn't thrilled to see
Bennic caps in there. The SCM20SLs come with the ATC marked
Ansar caps. I can upgrade these myself in the future, but
all those things considered I went for the Pro model. They
are pretty much the same design though, apart from veneer,
cabinet weight, tweeter and brand of caps.

Musically, I like a lot of electronica and female singer-
songwriter stuff but the ATCs play any genre without
prejudice. I listen at high SPLs until late evening cause i
live in an apartment block. My neighbor downstairs must hate
me! Room is about 15 x 12 -- pretty small (another reason I
didn't go for the SCM40) but I got a big old rug on the
floor and some GIK acoustic panels that I've not put up yet.

loftarasa April 05, 2013 06:37

System edited: Benchmark DAC2 and Nad M51 arriving this Wednesday for head-to-head on 30 day trials

loftarasa March 25, 2013 05:38

Thanks very much. I'll post a pic in a couple weeks once I've chosen a DAC. And gotten more furniture! I considered the CDA2 but don't really need CD playback and am looking at the NAD M51, Benchmark 2 and Mytek 192, which all offer USB connectivity.

loftarasa February 28, 2013 05:44