Amp to drive ATC SCM7s

[dunkyboy]

Hi, I have a pair of SCM7s (previous-gen) sitting in a cupboard that I want to bring out and use in a dining room system. But I need an amp.

For kicks, I tried them with the 10-watt Audio Note Oto tube amp in my main system, and... yeeesh. (No surprise.)

But I don't want to spend a lot of money. So, what's the cheapest amp that will make the wee ATCs sing..? I won't be driving them hard, but I need something electrically compatible and which will drive those ATC mid-woofers at moderate volumes without breaking a sweat - and I want it to sound good. Don't need thundering bass, though I do like it full and fun. But the priority for me is on beautiful, tonally-rich mids and sweet highs.

Any suggestions? I'm in the States (NYC), so I don't have all the usual Brit-fi classics available to me, sadly.

Thanks,
Dunc

[Blzebub]

Hey Dunc, how are you doing?

Can't answer specifically, but something with 200wpc minimum. Any s/h ATC amp would be great if you can find one at reasonable cost.

[Jez1s]

Hi Dunc,
I have ATC SCM 7 I-gen, as well. I drive them Michell Engineering Alecto Stereo / mk I/. Sounds tonally rich-mids, sweet highs and with well controlled bas. But I have linstened Hafler 9180 /made in USA/ power amp with SCM 7 and it was very impresive. Good control and nice overall tonnality but not so sweet. Good luck.

[simonthepieman]

Hello Dunc

I didn't realise you were in the USA, I used to have a pair of 7's newer style and used them with an old now Musical Fidelity X150 which actually worked really well for its low value.

Then in this particular system (well room ) I went to 11's (new style also) I upgraded the amp to a 2nd hand ATC SIA2-150 which was a superb combination as you would expect.

I suppose my MF X150 is for sale but wouldn't be worth it or the hassle posting it abroad so to speak.

I am sure there are loads of options stateside, perhaps a Parasound unit or PSaudio do some interesting amps at great value state side.

In fact sometimes I think the choice is massive in the states compared to the UK plus on Audiogon there are many 2nd hand bargains I would love a PSaudio P15 powerplant
quite a few 2nd hand at the moment, none FS 2nd hand in UK currently.



Simon

[marba1065]

Can you Try PS Audio Sprout 100?

https://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout100-integrated-amplifier/

[SailorZH]

I once used to drive my 11s with a Khartago amp from Odyssey Audio. It was a very good amp before I switched.

[arzojaan]

One of Plinius amp. Or Devialet (with SAM preset), Krell, Sim Audio, Coda, ATC of course. All of them will be good match with yours SCM7s.

[Gandalf]

Since you live in the States and you do not want to spend a fortune on an amp look up the Rogue Sphinx V3 integrated amplifier is a hybrid amplifier with 100watts x2 8ohms, and 200watts x 2 4ohms price new approx $1,550.00 Positive review here https://www.stereophile.com/content/...ated-amplifier. Reading from reviews it may be a real sweety to drive your ATC SCM7....

[dunkyboy]

Thanks for the tips, all! Def need to lean towards the well-below-$1k range (dining room system after all), but looks like there are some promising options there.

Dunc

[dunkyboy]

Hey Dunc, how are you doing?

Can't answer specifically, but something with 200wpc minimum. Any s/h ATC amp would be great if you can find one at reasonable cost.

Good to hear from you, James - blast from the past. Doing pretty great in NY, at least until.. everything... 😅

I suppose my dilemma is between more power but potentially less quality, or sacrifice some power for quality? You can get some older mid-fi 200-watt amps for well under $1k, but not confident they'll sound any good... I know ATCs - and especially the little guys - eat watts for breakfast, but... Since I won't ever blast them, and don't need thumping bass - this is mostly for background duties - I'm thinking it might be better to go for a well-regarded 50-100wpc amp with good current delivery, over a less-well-regarded 200-watter..?

Guess I was hoping someone might've found a gem that worked well with ATCs despite being inexpensive....

Dunc

[simonthepieman]

Good to hear from you, James - blast from the past. Doing pretty great in NY, at least until.. everything... 😅

I suppose my dilemma is between more power but potentially less quality, or sacrifice some power for quality? You can get some older mid-fi 200-watt amps for well under $1k, but not confident they'll sound any good... I know ATCs - and especially the little guys - eat watts for breakfast, but... Since I won't ever blast them, and don't need thumping bass - this is mostly for background duties - I'm thinking it might be better to go for a well-regarded 50-100wpc amp with good current delivery, over a less-well-regarded 200-watter..?

Guess I was hoping someone might've found a gem that worked well with ATCs despite being inexpensive....

Dunc

The ranges can be quite confusing , but if just want power and surprisingly decent quality then the Crown Amps are interesting and no doubt will be great value in the USA, note typically power amps only , so need a pre or streaming device with vol to use . I have one in use with 11's fed by a now discontinued Oppo Sonica it sounds good.
Made by a division of Harman, you would need to do the research which range has best sound quality, some are unbelievable value for money, like $500 for 375w into 8 ohms.

[Blzebub]

Good to hear from you, James - blast from the past. Doing pretty great in NY, at least until.. everything... 😅

I suppose my dilemma is between more power but potentially less quality, or sacrifice some power for quality? You can get some older mid-fi 200-watt amps for well under $1k, but not confident they'll sound any good... I know ATCs - and especially the little guys - eat watts for breakfast, but... Since I won't ever blast them, and don't need thumping bass - this is mostly for background duties - I'm thinking it might be better to go for a well-regarded 50-100wpc amp with good current delivery, over a less-well-regarded 200-watter..?

Guess I was hoping someone might've found a gem that worked well with ATCs despite being inexpensive....

Dunc

Sorry Dunc, I'm active. Never used passive ATCs.

Good to hear from you, and take care.

ATB,

James

[Bulldog]

Have a look at the Rega Elex R. It has a nice mm phono stage and is built like a tank. Don't be daunted by the published owner output of 72.5 watts - the Elex R can drive anything. I was driving a pair of Magnepan 1.7i speakers to high levels in a 6m x 5.5m room without any fuss. Here's a link to the Rega website: http://www.rega.co.uk/elex-r.html

[SailorZH]

Why not using one of those new Purify class D amps? It seems to be fabulous, almost load-independent, it has vanishingly low distortion. A very recent review/measurement of the Purify can be found at

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1482-the-purifi-puzzle-part-one-the-measured-performance-of-the-eigentakt-amplifier

I think Nord Acoustics have the Purify in their products.

Should I look for an amp for my SCM19s, I‘d go this route.

BTW, the above mentioned review is interesting, at least for me, because it contains clearly written explanations of the various parameters they measure. Very good, indeed!

[Gandalf]

Why not using one of those new Purify class D amps? It seems to be fabulous, almost load-independent, it has vanishingly low distortion. A very recent review/measurement of the Purify can be found at

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1482-the-purifi-puzzle-part-one-the-measured-performance-of-the-eigentakt-amplifier

I think Nord Acoustics have the Purify in their products.

Should I look for an amp for my SCM19s, I‘d go this route.

BTW, the above mentioned review is interesting, at least for me, because it contains clearly written explanations of the various parameters they measure. Very good, indeed!

How much is it and does one need two Eigantakt amplifiers to create a stereo?

[SailorZH]

You can have two mono blocks or a stereo setup with two Eigentakts in one box. I think the cheapest mono block is around 650£ each, while the most expensive dual mono setup is around 1650£.

They have quite a few options to choose from, see

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/purifi1et400aamplifiers

[SailorZH]

NAD will shortly release a power amp based on the Purifi Eigentakt amplifier modules. See

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2020/09/09/nad-c-298-power-amplifier-with-purifi-eigentakt/

Also their top of the line M33 integrated amp uses the same power block. It seems that many will embark on power-efficient designs combining class D amplification with switched-mode power supplies.