The ATCs sound very good with the right amplification. With the actives, the correct amplification is taken care of. I have heard the ATC 50 Actives about 5 years back. They were very good. They are pretty expensive though. I would presume in $10000 range. Esoteric SA 10 with the Active ATC 50, one long pair of balanced cable, 3 power cords, stands for ATC from Magma and you are done with. An option probably worth looking at.
4 Speakers
- Thread starter ajay124
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tri amped..no crossovers and matched amplifiers. they are amazing for the price.. but too expensive
ajay124
Well-Known Member
Thanks prem,arj
10000$ at 60/80 inr to a $? That is the way most audio products are priced within India. Like you guys, I have a 'middle class mentality'. VFM comes first! I am fond of audiophile products, but would not spend that kind of money on speakers.
Going back to passives, how would the SCM40 sound compared to the VA's I have. Among other thing I look at the weight of a speaker. VA's at 30 kg+ per speaker, are a clear winner over the 23 kg+ SCM40's. Most of the time I play big orchestral music. Would the comparitive lack of weight mean a negative mark for the ATC's? More than any other factor, I am concerned about the wall resonances from the cabinet, smearing the sound of the drivers.
Unfortunately not many people have heard the VA's. I must have done 2500+ hours with them in the past one year. But the only other 'good' speakers I have heard are the Liuto towers. In my present settings the VA's are sounding very good. They are always refined, never shrill or unpleasant, plenty of detail and bite. Huge soundstage and good imaging.
What am I looking for? A more open, less boxy sound, as if the music is playing in a cathedral or a concert hall. Cleaner, richer, mid range. Crisp and focused bass. Sweet and airy highs. More detail and clarity in the dynamic passages of a symphony. At least 350-400W peak power handling abilities. A better transient response with drums and piano's. A fast, clean attack and then..... silence.
10000$ at 60/80 inr to a $? That is the way most audio products are priced within India. Like you guys, I have a 'middle class mentality'. VFM comes first! I am fond of audiophile products, but would not spend that kind of money on speakers.
Going back to passives, how would the SCM40 sound compared to the VA's I have. Among other thing I look at the weight of a speaker. VA's at 30 kg+ per speaker, are a clear winner over the 23 kg+ SCM40's. Most of the time I play big orchestral music. Would the comparitive lack of weight mean a negative mark for the ATC's? More than any other factor, I am concerned about the wall resonances from the cabinet, smearing the sound of the drivers.
Unfortunately not many people have heard the VA's. I must have done 2500+ hours with them in the past one year. But the only other 'good' speakers I have heard are the Liuto towers. In my present settings the VA's are sounding very good. They are always refined, never shrill or unpleasant, plenty of detail and bite. Huge soundstage and good imaging.
What am I looking for? A more open, less boxy sound, as if the music is playing in a cathedral or a concert hall. Cleaner, richer, mid range. Crisp and focused bass. Sweet and airy highs. More detail and clarity in the dynamic passages of a symphony. At least 350-400W peak power handling abilities. A better transient response with drums and piano's. A fast, clean attack and then..... silence.
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Hi Ajay
Have never heard the ATC passives. It was their actives which put them on the map. Their 50s are pretty famous. Its not such a bad deal considering you can do away with amps. Also if you can get a used piece, it might be a good deal. Dr Bass uses the 40s. He will be able to tell you more
New is $16000. Used is around $8000. There is one for sale now on Audiogon.
Have never heard the ATC passives. It was their actives which put them on the map. Their 50s are pretty famous. Its not such a bad deal considering you can do away with amps. Also if you can get a used piece, it might be a good deal. Dr Bass uses the 40s. He will be able to tell you more
New is $16000. Used is around $8000. There is one for sale now on Audiogon.
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ajay124
Well-Known Member
Bluu
I have briefly auditioned the EP's. I could not connect with them.
Prem
8000$ + shipping + customs. I would not be willing to blow such a big amount/take such a big step, without having auditioning them.
I have briefly auditioned the EP's. I could not connect with them.
Prem
8000$ + shipping + customs. I would not be willing to blow such a big amount/take such a big step, without having auditioning them.
ajay124
Well-Known Member
jls001
I had briefly heard the Rethm's (don't remember whether they were the Maarga's or Sadhana's) at Absolute Phase last year. Superb looks and build quality. Very warm, rich, lifelike reproduction. We played Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald CD's, and the ladies seemed to be present in the room. Excellent for smooth sounding jazz and vocals. I would have to spend a lot more time with them, before forming any opinion about their abilities to play orchestral music. That to with a SET amp about which I have no experience. I would feel 'safer' with a Class A amp like the Accuphase E 550 or the Pass Labs INT 30A. How suitable would these amps be with a Rethm? I spoke with Mr. Jacob George on the telephone last year. I asked him whether the Rethms could handle Mahler, and his answer was a very confident YES!
prem
Did you ever run Esoteric/Rethm with any SS amps? What is the current product line and pricing for the Rethm's? I would be very happy if Indian money stayed in Indian hands, rather than drifting to Scandinavia, Italy or the United States.
I had briefly heard the Rethm's (don't remember whether they were the Maarga's or Sadhana's) at Absolute Phase last year. Superb looks and build quality. Very warm, rich, lifelike reproduction. We played Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald CD's, and the ladies seemed to be present in the room. Excellent for smooth sounding jazz and vocals. I would have to spend a lot more time with them, before forming any opinion about their abilities to play orchestral music. That to with a SET amp about which I have no experience. I would feel 'safer' with a Class A amp like the Accuphase E 550 or the Pass Labs INT 30A. How suitable would these amps be with a Rethm? I spoke with Mr. Jacob George on the telephone last year. I asked him whether the Rethms could handle Mahler, and his answer was a very confident YES!
prem
Did you ever run Esoteric/Rethm with any SS amps? What is the current product line and pricing for the Rethm's? I would be very happy if Indian money stayed in Indian hands, rather than drifting to Scandinavia, Italy or the United States.
I think Prem and Jaibir (and other Saadhana owners) can answer your query.
FWIW, there is an excruciatingly long review of the Saadhana over at 6moons. The 'take home" from this review is pasted here:
"Rethm's Saadhana now joins Nelson Pass' First Watt F4 amplifiers as the highest relaxed-resolution devices I have in my stable of reviewer tools and pleasure machines."
The reviewer, Srajan Ebaen, was impressed enough to buy the review samples. Unfortunately I think the reviewer did not use the usual classical records for the review. If First Watt F4 works so well for the Saadhana, I think there's no reason another amp from the same genius shouldn't work very well too.
Joshua
panditji
Well-Known Member
Ajay, I heard the ATC SCM 19s as well as SCM 40 2 weeks ago with a Bryston CDP/DAC and a NAIM Supernait or XS amplifier and did not like the sound... The electronics were mid level Naim and a reasonably good Bryston CDP/DAC and the speakers were demo speakers at an ATC dealers place almost 2 years old and therefore were past their break in period.....
The sound seemed very cold, not musical at all and just did not connect with me. I listen to smooth jazz, electronica ambient, instrumentals and old school jazz so maybe they did'nt work for me......
Accurate - well i do not know if they were accurate because I did not know any of the musicians whose music was playing and therefore did'nt know how the music was supposed to sound.....
BTW I was getting the SCM 19s at 1000 GBP but just did'nt like the sound even though I was tempted to buy it because of the brand name and all the reviews....
I had heard SCM 19s in HK last year with Plinius and had liked them then which is why I had them on my list....but this time they just did'nt cut it for me...
Sorry for confusing you but just wanted to share my experience....
The sound seemed very cold, not musical at all and just did not connect with me. I listen to smooth jazz, electronica ambient, instrumentals and old school jazz so maybe they did'nt work for me......
Accurate - well i do not know if they were accurate because I did not know any of the musicians whose music was playing and therefore did'nt know how the music was supposed to sound.....
BTW I was getting the SCM 19s at 1000 GBP but just did'nt like the sound even though I was tempted to buy it because of the brand name and all the reviews....
I had heard SCM 19s in HK last year with Plinius and had liked them then which is why I had them on my list....but this time they just did'nt cut it for me...
Sorry for confusing you but just wanted to share my experience....
Hi Ajay
Jaibir heard the Rethms at my place, liked them and placed an order. If Jacob told you they handle orchestral work, they would. Jacob will tell you straight what his speakers can do.
First Watt speakers mate very well with Rethms. I was considering the Luxman integrated 590A with the Rethms before Jacob custom designed an amp for me. This Luxman class A integrated is more to my taste than the Accuphase E550 class A integrated. To my ears it sounds much more transparent and honest to the recording.
Jaibir heard the Rethms at my place, liked them and placed an order. If Jacob told you they handle orchestral work, they would. Jacob will tell you straight what his speakers can do.
First Watt speakers mate very well with Rethms. I was considering the Luxman integrated 590A with the Rethms before Jacob custom designed an amp for me. This Luxman class A integrated is more to my taste than the Accuphase E550 class A integrated. To my ears it sounds much more transparent and honest to the recording.
ajay124
Well-Known Member
A fairly comprehensive review of my current speakers:
http://www.vienna-acoustics.com/reviews/ConcertGrand/BBG/VABBGinHFNAUG-08.pdf
http://www.vienna-acoustics.com/reviews/ConcertGrand/BBG/VABBGinHFNAUG-08.pdf
ajay124
Well-Known Member
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Downloads/Product/Archive/ENG_FP12679_Nautilus-802_info_sheet.pdf
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_reviews/CS3_6_pdf/3_6R_HFNRR.pdf
In the not so distant future I would like to acquire one of these two speakers. I would not call it an upgrade, sidegrade or a downgrade. Merely a change of scene. A different sound, from the excellent sound of the Vienna Acoustics. The source and amp will remain the same. But I believe the speakers are the most important ingredient in the hifi mix. And I would like to experience one or preferably both these speakers, which are presently at the top of my shortlist.
I have a budget and I have every intention of remaining within that budget. Both the speakers are discontinued models. Extremely successful models for Bower & Wilkins and Thiel. I feel either of the two speakers will work well with the rest of the components I have. Both speakers are a tough load to drive. Hopefully the 4B SST will be able to handle them.
I would appreciate every bit of information, opinion, audition experience or news about their availability in India. Until I come across these speakers I intend to spend many pleasant hours 'auditioning' them on Google
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_reviews/CS3_6_pdf/3_6R_HFNRR.pdf
In the not so distant future I would like to acquire one of these two speakers. I would not call it an upgrade, sidegrade or a downgrade. Merely a change of scene. A different sound, from the excellent sound of the Vienna Acoustics. The source and amp will remain the same. But I believe the speakers are the most important ingredient in the hifi mix. And I would like to experience one or preferably both these speakers, which are presently at the top of my shortlist.
I have a budget and I have every intention of remaining within that budget. Both the speakers are discontinued models. Extremely successful models for Bower & Wilkins and Thiel. I feel either of the two speakers will work well with the rest of the components I have. Both speakers are a tough load to drive. Hopefully the 4B SST will be able to handle them.
I would appreciate every bit of information, opinion, audition experience or news about their availability in India. Until I come across these speakers I intend to spend many pleasant hours 'auditioning' them on Google
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Downloads/Product/Archive/ENG_FP12679_Nautilus-802_info_sheet.pdf
http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/PDF_files/PDF_reviews/CS3_6_pdf/3_6R_HFNRR.pdf
In the not so distant future I would like to acquire one of these two speakers. I would not call it an upgrade, sidegrade or a downgrade. Merely a change of scene. A different sound, from the excellent sound of the Vienna Acoustics. The source and amp will remain the same. But I believe the speakers are the most important ingredient in the hifi mix. And I would like to experience one or preferably both these speakers, which are presently at the top of my shortlist.
I have a budget and I have every intention of remaining within that budget. Both the speakers are discontinued models. Extremely successful models for Bower & Wilkins and Thiel. I feel either of the two speakers will work well with the rest of the components I have. Both speakers are a tough load to drive. Hopefully the 4B SST will be able to handle them.
I would appreciate every bit of information, opinion, audition experience or news about their availability in India. Until I come across these speakers I intend to spend many pleasant hours 'auditioning' them on Google
Check this outwww.hifi.com.sg/2ndhand/sview.asp?id=3355
You could request DrBass to help audition it if interested....a trip to singapore could be well worth it
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passive version of this speaker:
ATC SCM20SL AT Speaker | ATC SPEAKERS.COM, USA
ATC SCM20SL AT Speaker | ATC SPEAKERS.COM, USA
Oh btw, there is an ATC SCM 20SL going on sale here. Asking is about 5.5k SGD. Now that is special
Are you meaning that the ones on sale are active ones and are they special? Could you send me the link? I intend to sound my cousin who resides there and is kind of interested in the hifi thingy. May be I can make him a convert.
He was always into lifestyle stuff like Bose and B&O when in India. I understand that he now has Anthony Gallo HT speakers.
He was impressed by the SQ of my system when he visited me sometime back. He may surely be finding the Aristas special whenever he would visit me next.
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A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
