500 DR v ATC active speakers,

Hi-Fi Corner
161

Interesting reading.

As an ATC 'lover" I may be somewhat biased, but always open minded to other options …

That being said, if you are the proud owner of many expensive ‘black boxes’, it is only natural to want them to be better than anything else on the planet and for there to be no other alternative … after all, look at how much has been invested already.

The thought of a simpler active approach (no more expensive esoteric speaker cables and the like), may seem ‘alien’ and inevitably the thought of having to lose thousands £ or $ in order to change equipment, is not an attractive option.

However, if you were to start with a ‘blank canvas’, then perhaps the outcome would be somewhat different.

I too got stuck on the upgrade treadmill and always sought to get that little bit extra performance - despite the huge outlay in cost. That said, I eventually recognised that my ridiculously over priced Linn Active setup was no where as good as the far more cost effective ATC50ASL’s.

I fully understand why someone would not want to sell all their Naim amps, in order to change to something else (e.g. ATC) … I guess the amount of money lost, simply makes no financial sense whatsoever, unless sound quality is “worth the hit”.

At the end of the day, we are all different and if someone genuinely doesn’t enjoy the ATC’s, then something else may be more suitable … and that’s absolutely fine.

To say that ATC’s are dull and lifeless, however, seems a little bit defensive and trying to justify what we already own … which isn’t necessary … we like what we like and at least we tried them.

There are many musicians who own ATC (Kate Bush, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Ian Anderson, Enya) and the client list is endless, not to mention recording studios. I am sure that they don’t find ATC “lifeless” - they are professionals and know exactly what ‘music’ should sound like. If it didn’t deliver, they could easily change to a different manufacturer, but they don’t because the ATC’s are truly accurate etc.

Anyway, enjoy what you have, don’t obsess over the kit that you use and just enjoy the music - not the kit! :grinning:

Sometimes I get great enjoyment from my MuSo and don’t feel the need to critically analyse the sound that is being produced … it just plays music really well … and that is what it’s all about.

7 Likes
162

Would not that be their working tools?
Rather than an instrument of pleasure …

163

Nope … at home for pleasure as opposed to recording studio :smile:

164

Hi Dave,

Thanks for taking the time to post your findings.

My 500 was Dred in January this year, arranged by Geoff & Pete, I am now into week 6 of installation and been on that much talked about rollercoaster. I have left the internet radio playing 24/7 for that time and things seem to be settling down now.

I have listened to active systems on many occasions and more recently had the pleasure of listening to SL2’s active with 250’s.However, I am somewhat of the same opinion as yourself, I have Kudos T88’s and previously passive Briks,active systems have never convinced me to go in that direction.

As an amateur musician, having played in ensembles, I like to be able to listen into the detail, how musicians accompany soloists, a performer’s articulation of notes etc. But I also want to have that emotional connection with the performance. In truth, you would think the active system should have it all,but for me ,from my experience, it doesn’t. So I just keep trying to improve the balance between the two along the passive route.

Sometime after April, Pete will be installing for me an ND555/555DR. I am, for now, keeping my non dr 555 to decide how the combinations suit my endeavour s.

Thanks again.

5 Likes
165

Be prepared to be impressed … as I said to Pete the other day when he was over with the ATC’s, “probably the most surprising upgrade yet”.

The ND 555 really is a game changer, and that was, in my case, coming from an NDS + twin power supplies.

Enjoy!

2 Likes
166

Hi Sloop,

I don’t think you will be disappointed, they both do sound good - all three of us preferred the D&D, in that room. But I think it may be that you would end up with a different set of compromises; and less boxes, which is always attractive.

M

167

Yes, I have great expectations of the ND555.

It’s the 555ps/555drps combinations and how they effect the presentation that I’m concerned about.

But I’m grateful to be able to have that concern and it will be a pleasurable journey I’m sure.

Geoff probably already knows the answer.:wink:

2 Likes
168

Really Dave? It’s that good? Just when I thought that my feelings of upgraditis had abated with a NDS/ single 555PS.

1 Like
169

Yep, it’s that good.

My NDS with twin power supplies was great, but the ND 555 simply digs deeper into the music, and for the first time, a snare drum really does sound as if it’s being hit by someone behind a drumkit.

4 Likes
170

Midrange is ATC’s biggest strength, already on entry level series. I’ve heard passive 50’s few times and same there also. Coming from PMC, it was a true revelation how ATC managed the midrange. Either the 50’s are broken or there’s something awfully off with the rest of the system if you feel that the midrange is dull and recessed with ATC.

The emotional connection, mentioned in the thread several times, is formed way before speakers in the equipment chain. Source + pre combo plays biggest role here in my experience.

171

Yes, the ATC 3 inch dome mid in particular has a well deserved reputation of being about the best there is at least amongst moving coil speakers, and if is no wonder it has been around virtually unchanged for decades, and has been used by some other top manufacturers. Your observation about PMC is interesting - I’m guessing the lower ranges like 20 or 25 series? In their top ranges PMC used to use the ATC dome mid (as used in SCM40 and up) until, anecdotally, ATC ceased supplying them as opposition, when PMC developed the current dome they use in their top ones (IB2 and up), which I gather is in effect a clone of the ATC. I have the PMC EB1i, and that does have an inferior mid unit - but having obtained a pair of the ATC units before they ceased supplying the private constructor market, I now use the PMCs with the ATC mid instead, and have that lovely natural presentation that makes vocalists sound so real.

172

Yeah lower end PMC, I used to own PMC GB1i and after that 20.23. From there I went for ATC SCM40’s, which simply destroyed 20.23 in every single area of sound quality. Of course ATC’s are bigger and more expensive speakers. Four years with passive 40’s and now the active version. I did home audition PMC 25.26 at one point vs passive 40’s but they were too big for my space. Only with this model I felt like PMC can challenge the passive 40’s but 25.26 costs twice as much.

173

I moved from active SBLs (with 4 pack 135s) to passive Ovator S600 with firstly NAP300, then NAP500 which I have had upgraded to DR. No regrets at all - much better than the active SBLs.
During the process I had loan of a pair of S800s - which were, of course, even more wonderful.

175

Yes it is that good , it is disconcertingly good!

1 Like
176

With what preamplifier?

177

NAC52 throughout

178

I’ve just replaced 252/300 DRs with 552/500 unDRed. Just like @NigelB found doing his 252DR to unDRed 552 it works the magic on presenting the music naturally so you hear what is there. You don’t need a ND555 but I’m sure it’s nice to have as well.

I don’t know what DRing will do, but now listening is much more relaxed to my older ears. Bass is well refined without being overly loud, and the same happens throughout the frequency range. I have pretty neutral Focal Sopra 2 speakers so I don’t need speakers to fix the sound.

Not sure what DRing will do, but still only day 2, and these old boxes (serviced 2 years ago) are still warming up.

Phil

2 Likes
179

Congratulations Phil! 500 unDRed is very good – the DR upgrade definitely takes it to another level entirely – almost a different amp – but no rush, that can come later

Music to my ears!! :slight_smile:

enjoy/ken

1 Like
180

Phil,

Congratulations, you have wonderful system there.

As Ken would say…enjoy!

1 Like
181

This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.