seadog Posted October 11, 2023 Posted October 11, 2023 I’m keen on an ATC SCM 100ASL. I’ve had the 50ASL version in a past life and loved it. At the time I had it matched to a DAC/Premap and in hindsight wasn’t that happy with the all in one DAC/Preamp option as I thought it held the ATC’s back a bit. This time I’ll go a dedicated preamp, I’m interested to see if Accuphase C2300 or any Accuphase for that matter are a good match output voltage and impedance anyway and sound quality etc. Otherwise I’ll most likely go with a well known match and the Benchmark LA4. So I pretty much have a wide open price range to go with. But I’d stop at the Accuphase C2300 price point and go down from that.
ICUToo Posted October 11, 2023 Posted October 11, 2023 (edited) I don't know how much a C2300 costs... Mola Mola Makua? With built-in DAC you have a super-neat, ultra-high quality and freaking LOUD combo! Edited October 11, 2023 by ICUToo speling
gat474 Posted October 11, 2023 Posted October 11, 2023 Benchmark HPA4/LA4 works well. I’ve tried Modwright and also ATC CDA mk2 on my 100’s and they weren’t up to the Benchmark pre.
seadog Posted October 12, 2023 Author Posted October 12, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, ICUToo said: I don't know how much a C2300 costs... Mola Mola Makua? It’s $20,000, but I can get a pretty good discount in that. Like a very, very good discount. I have heard the Makua before, and it a wonderful preamp. And the optional DAC board is supposed to be exceptional too. But then that combo. be priced well above the Accuphase C2300 with the Accuphase DAC60 optional DAC card fitted. Edited October 12, 2023 by seadog
Antipodean Brad Posted October 12, 2023 Posted October 12, 2023 I'm surprised the ATC SCA-2 has not been mentioned.
seadog Posted October 12, 2023 Author Posted October 12, 2023 I’m actually going to try the Chord DAVE direct and see how that goes. I was always going to get a better DAC anyway. And I’ll change to the SCM 50ASL to have some wriggle room to get a dedicated preamp if needed.
Guest Posted October 12, 2023 Posted October 12, 2023 On 12/10/2023 at 1:03 AM, seadog said: At the time I had it matched to a DAC/Premap and in hindsight wasn’t that happy with the all in one DAC/Preamp option as I thought it held the ATC’s back a bit. How long ago was this? All in ones have improved out of sight with many options now. I tend to favour simplicity and recommend including a streamer. Suggest you at least audition one of the following before going down the messy and time consuming path of stitching together components and cables: Lumin P1 or X1, Ayon S5 XS, Ayre QX5 Twenty, Auralic Vega 2.1, dCS Bartok Apex.
gemini07 Posted October 12, 2023 Posted October 12, 2023 Auditioning in your own system is really the only way to go, and as you have a dedicated Accuphase dealer nearby this shouldn't be a problem. Also, there is a vast difference between Accuphase pre amps and the Benchmark LA4, so you may wish to exercise care before you go down that rabbit hole. If you can manage with a suitable 'all in one' that's a great solution; however, it can be restrictive if one element doesn't satisfy. Keeping your options open regarding a stand-alone DAC / streamer allows you to experiment a bit with different sound signatures.
Scratcher Posted October 12, 2023 Posted October 12, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: How long ago was this? All in ones have improved out of sight with many options now. I tend to favour simplicity and recommend including a streamer. Suggest you at least audition one of the following before going down the messy and time consuming path of stitching together components and cables: Lumin P1 or X1, Ayon S5 XS, Ayre QX5 Twenty, Auralic Vega 2.1, dCS Bartok Apex. Don’t forget Esoteric N-05XD I also have 100’s and the pairing is divine Have a chat with John at Sublime Edited October 12, 2023 by Conch
seadog Posted October 13, 2023 Author Posted October 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Conch said: Don’t forget Esoteric N-05XD I also have 100’s and the pairing is divine Have a chat with John at Sublime So the Esoteric N-05XD direct into the Active 100’s & no preamp ?
Guest Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 29 minutes ago, seadog said: So the Esoteric N-05XD direct into the Active 100’s & no preamp ? Correct, and John at Sublime is very good to deal with. And the other all-in-ones on my list have also a preamp...
Scratcher Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 41 minutes ago, seadog said: So the Esoteric N-05XD direct into the Active 100’s & no preamp ? That’s correct, the N-05XD has a very good pre amp stage. Simple, reliable and amazing sound quality. I just run minim server on my nas for my local music collection and Spotify. Your welcome to come round for a listen if your interested mate 1
GregWormald Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 I'm really enjoying my simaudio MOON 740p which is close to the 2300 in price. There are also slightly cheaper options (and lots more expensive). Some include a streamer and phono stage.
gat474 Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 14 hours ago, seadog said: I’m actually going to try the Chord DAVE direct and see how that goes. I was always going to get a better DAC anyway. And I’ll change to the SCM 50ASL to have some wriggle room to get a dedicated preamp if needed. Having owned both 50’s and 100’s, I’d always go the 100’s if it were an option. 1
cafe67 Posted October 13, 2023 Posted October 13, 2023 I know a guy with both active 50 and 100 - uses Benchmark HP4 with both
seadog Posted October 13, 2023 Author Posted October 13, 2023 I think I’ll up my budget and go with a dCS Bartok Apex. I’ll go direct into the actives and if need be, play with preamps as required.
seadog Posted October 13, 2023 Author Posted October 13, 2023 And the ATC SCM50ASL Classic. I just like the Classic look more.
seadog Posted October 14, 2023 Author Posted October 14, 2023 (edited) I’m going to demo. the Chord DAVE and dCS Bartok(non Apex version, but has the latest 2.0 software update) p today. Not with ATC speakers, but it’ll give me a good indication of which “flavour” I prefer. Edited October 14, 2023 by seadog 1
seadog Posted October 14, 2023 Author Posted October 14, 2023 Not even close, well for my preferences anyway. Preferred the Chord DAVE by a big margin. I respect and see what the Bartok does and is, but for explicit and and “up front” sound, it’s not for me. 1
Guest Posted October 14, 2023 Posted October 14, 2023 13 hours ago, seadog said: Not even close, well for my preferences anyway. Preferred the Chord DAVE by a big margin. I respect and see what the Bartok does and is, but for explicit and and “up front” sound, it’s not for me. Have only heard them on separate occasions, not side by side, but prefer dCS. For some reason, the Chord sound is not for me...
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