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ATC SCM 40 question

Hi,

I recently bought a pair of ATC SCM40 speakers. I have them placed in a room approx 12ft sq. They are on the back wall, seating on opposite side. I can't move the speakers into the room or move the chairs into the room as I barely got away with buying these and can't encrouch any further, the missus was not happy at the size of them!

Anyway, they sound pretty incredible a lot of the time, but I've noticed on some recordings, not necessarily bad ones, just they can come across a little shrill and sharp, like the highs are overheated somehow.

I'm driving them with a PS Audio S300 Poweramp, that is being controlled by an RME ADI 2 DAC. 

I've tried messing with the dsp settings on the RME but I just can't seem to ease the issue.

My question is, does this seem like an equipment issue? Or maybe a cable issue?

I don't want to end up spending serious cash upgrading the amp or dac if that is not the problem. But I know the SCM40's need a lot of juice and the S300 only has 140w per channel, and the recommended is 150w. Or is that just a top end volume concern? I'm already looking at the Hegel H20, I can't get the ATC poweramp as I don't have the space for it.

Also I was looking at the Anthem STR Preamp. Something that might calibrate the sound better for the room. Maybe a cable upgrade?


Anyway, these are just my rambling thoughts on an ongoing issue, any advice at all would be much appreciated. I really want to solve this as when these speakers sing, they really sing!

Thanks
M

moomalade74
digsmithd
913 posts
 

Get those herbies sliders and you can setup ..shove them out of the way when done.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,589 posts
 

a few questions 

 

how are you driving the dac?

the source  does matter 

why not  trade in the ps audio for an really good   integrated amplifier ?

 

we run our scm 40s with great success with the unison research unico 150 a powerful hybrid amp the tubes  warm up the speakers while the  solid state power stage provided deep propulsive bass thuis amp is similar in rated power but has no issues driving the 40s 

 

the atc tweeter is very revealing.so your dac could be the problem the s300 amp is not a class ab amp so between your dac and amp this is probably why the speakers are sounding a bit hot 

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

Atc Dealers 

 

m669326's avatar
m669326
326 posts
 

I have them in a room facing a wall of windows, which creates a lot of brightness. My inexpensive experiment was getting a Loki and turning the two left knobs to about 2 o’clock. Problem solved.
 

johnlnyc's avatar
johnlnyc
59 posts
 

“Anyway, they sound pretty incredible a lot of the time, but I've noticed on some recordings, not necessarily bad ones, just they can come across a little shrill and sharp, like the highs are overheated somehow.”

I may be oversimplifying things but. 
Seems to me common sense says we often focus on equipment and overlook source material.

If your speakers sound “incredible a lot of the time” …actually that would be the speakers, your system AND your room…then wouldn’t it make sense to assume the fault lies with those sources and not your system.

A revealing and neutral system would expose the sound quality of the tape, record, cd etc. So, is there a playback system that makes everything sound great all the time? Can a system be tweaked to address problem areas, and I assume we are dealing with frequency here, record or cd etc. Aside from “custom” EQ ing your system to eliminate problem’s with source material on an as needed basis, is there anything you can do?

ATC (I don’t have much experience with them, though I am considering the brand for purchase) are noted for being very revealing…they are often used as mix monitors by engineers for eg. With this level of detail the source material will be revealed. Bright recordings will sound bright etc.

I, in fact, would be a bit wary of any speaker or system where everything sounded great (or not so great). We do tend to prize transparency over coloration but is there a case of too much of a good thing?

I have no answer but this OP made me think.
  
 

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