SCM 40 V2 Passive -show your setups

[es see em 40 pass]

1) show your gear pic
2) list your gear
3) comment if you think it works well for you- if not why



I'll go first:

1)pic

2)
Amp: passlabs 250.5
Bluesound node2i streamer, dac, preamp (behind amp)
Also used is yggdrasil- (behind the amp) - it's actually facing the back wall as I use a very short xlr interconnect. I prefer this look as there's less lights and less gear displayed.
Cables: nothing special- copper

3)
I think it works well- system is very transparent, preamp delete is done (ARC ref 3 in background) as I prefer the more transparent sound without the Ref 3. The 250.5 is smooth enough as it is, I don't like it more smooth than this. Hope to try out Class D to "see" if my passlabs is actually "enough" power. But then, "there's always something better". Acoustic treatment is not finished so they're just conveniently placed for now.

[Garfield]

How to link images into post.

https://www.atcforums.com/forum/announcements-new-users/comments-amp-suggestions/195-adding-images-into-forum-posts

[gregmelb2]

[gregmelb2]

I am not sure what the hell I am doing posting the photo but here is my system.
I thought I would run two power amps off my preamp -Onkyo 3000R and run my old speakers -Mordaunt Short MS40i which are 30 years old and my ATC SCM40 just to see how it sounded.
I have an all Onkyo set up with 7000R cd player, 3000R preamp and 5000R power amp.
If you are wondering why I have silver cd player I got it cheap saved almost half the price. It sounds the same as a black one.
The power amp is a very solid 80 watts a channel and drives the speakers easily.
The components also are very quiet and it is great to be able to remote control everything.
Th other components are my old Spectrascan power amp and my old Rotel 950 cd player which I bought in 1996

[Nopiano]

Confession time - I looked at this thread a few times, while scratching my head. I kept thinking “I don’t recall a series 7 ATC model”! Now I realise it’s v2, namely the current curved cabinet model. I have Rick @ Musicraft to thank for thinking ‘curved’ even though it’s not official ATC language.

Anyway, my system is below. Left Hifi Racks holds Rega Fono 2, Linn Akurate DSM/2, Marantz SA14s1 SE, Oppo BDP-95. Central BCD Engineering stand holds Michell TecnoDec with Rega arm and Shure M97xe, Primare I32 amplifier, Hitachi FT-5500 tuner, Nakamichi ZX-7 cassette deck (covered). Various cables including Linn Silver balanced, Atlas Equator rca, and Van Damme LC OFC 4mm speaker cables.

[kingabs]

Moving thread to system setup gallery

[gregmelb2]

[gregmelb2]

I have posted an updated photo of my system having optimised the setup in my room.
The speakers are now 82.5cm out from the wall (as recommended by Tarun at British Audiophile) and separated more than they were before.
The bass is less boomy in my 20 square metre room as a result of moving the speakers so that the centre of the front baffle is 82.5cm from the wall behind.
I have added QED Supremus loudspeaker cable which has made a substantial improvement in sound quality.
I managed to get at half price in a black friday sale and it is worth every cent.
Everything sounds more realistic more full bodied,less sibilant on poor recordings with the new cable.

[Gandalf]

1) show your gear pic
2) list your gear
3) comment if you think it works well for you- if not why



I'll go first:

1)pic

2)
Amp: passlabs 250.5
Bluesound node2i streamer, dac, preamp (behind amp)
Also used is yggdrasil- (behind the amp) - it's actually facing the back wall as I use a very short xlr interconnect. I prefer this look as there's less lights and less gear displayed.
Cables: nothing special- copper

3)
I think it works well- system is very transparent, preamp delete is done (ARC ref 3 in background) as I prefer the more transparent sound without the Ref 3. The 250.5 is smooth enough as it is, I don't like it more smooth than this. Hope to try out Class D to "see" if my passlabs is actually "enough" power. But then, "there's always something better". Acoustic treatment is not finished so they're just conveniently placed for now.

Just curious to know whether you tried ATC SCM40A (actives), if yes what is it about your passive system that you preferred over the actives system?

[gregmelb2]

In my case I bought the passive 40's because it was too good a deal to pass up with a new importer offering great introductory pricing.
I already had a complete amplification system that I thought would drive them extremely well and I thought the ATC Scm40a's overpriced.
I think you should upgrade your speaker cables Gandalf I thought my original cables were very good but the QED Supremus is at another level.
I am extremely happy with my set up now and I doubt the Scm 40a's would be an improvement. I would probably go passive 50's if had the spare cash to afford them

[es see em 40 pass]

I have not tried active as they aren't available here. In general ATC is very rare in Canada. And for the price of actives I'm sure most people wouldn't buy as they're just too expensive since you could get a pair of low end Wilsons or Magico + amp. There's always a premium price for imported products, especially when it needs to cross the oceans.
On a side note, I've upgraded to using a Denafrips Pontus DAC between the node2i and 250.5. The since i"ve tried the Yggdrasil A1 prior this DAC the Pontus blows it away by miles. The Yggy is like mid-fi and Pontus - Hifi.

[gregmelb2]

It appears that the prices in Canada are better than Australia. The passive SCM 40's are roughly the same price in Canada at $8000 in Australia at $8300 although I was lucky enough to get mine at $7000 but the SCM 40 actives are almost $6000 dearer in both countries which is a bit ridiculous.
Also I would have had to get a new preamp and good quality balanced interconnects on top of that in a 3 metre length.
For that price I acquired a quality Cd player, preamp and power amp as well as quality speaker cables and I think it probably sounds better than the actives.

[Gandalf]

In my case I bought the passive 40's because it was too good a deal to pass up with a new importer offering great introductory pricing.
I already had a complete amplification system that I thought would drive them extremely well and I thought the ATC Scm40a's overpriced.
I think you should upgrade your speaker cables Gandalf I thought my original cables were very good but the QED Supremus is at another level.
I am extremely happy with my set up now and I doubt the Scm 40a's would be an improvement. I would probably go passive 50's if had the spare cash to afford them

You have a lovely system, I heard the ATC SCM40 at the Bristol Show and was taken by their presentation in sound. The bass was just spot on and they were driven by ATC own SIA - 100 amp, good synergy...!