They’re OK, but you are correct. Redecorating in the Spring which should allow a strategic repositioning.
Even as they are, they such a step up from my old PMC 20.23’s so not such a case of ‘making do’ 
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ATB, J
Wow, you are really protecting your kit. The protective plastic is till on 
Do you have two cores or is that something else on the second shelve.
Old photos, two cores symmetrical backup 
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ATB, J
Ah, I did not think of a backup scenario
And if one goes down beyond repair, there’s still one to go……
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ATB, J
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I would have spent less money if I’d gone with Titans. They were a serious contender both the 505s with stands at £5500 and a pair of 606s from either Peter Tyson or Acoustica for £6000. I’m sure I might have been happy with titans but at some point I made a decision to go active and my mind was made up in a different direction.
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That was a thought that stopped me getting my current speakers when I first heard then, going for something a little lighter at 48kg instead if 60, but more particularly floor standing not on stands so 'walkable’. Wrong decision! Once set up speakers don’t need moving possibly for years. After I twigged that, I bought my endgame speakers for next time some appeared at a decent price. Why have second best if you can have best, when weight consideration is of no real import?
Swings and roundabouts - would anyone care to express an opinion on the following option;
Would you consider the gains brought about by moving to an active configuration with ATC SCM 20 ASL Limited Edition outweigh any loss from dropping the NPX300 from the NSC222 ?
Thinking aloud…..
ATB, J
I assume you mean NC 222/300/250 into passives vs 222 into SCM20LE. I’ve not done that exact comparison but do have a couple of thoughts.
Firstly, the 20s are very revealing and will show up any source improvements. I certainly wouldn’t take the 300 out of the chain with those speakers. If that possibility is driven by budget considerations , I’d keep the 300 and go for standard edition active 20s in a nice veneer rather than the LE version.
Secondly, I heard the LEs (with matching sub) at a dealer dem about a year ago, driven by a full stack of Auralic S1 boxes. When I got home I played the same tracks on my Selekt/SCM40As and to my ears it comprehensively outperformed the setup at the dem. I’m not at all suggesting you swap out Naim for the Linn. Rather, it’s yet more evidence those active 20s deserve the best source you can give them.
Roger
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I run the 222 directly into ATC 50 actives.
I did intend to review the 300 psu to see if it made a decernable improvement but the basic combo was all that I was looking for.
Chasing fairies seem pointless.
Thanks Roger, great analysis, and you’re not alone in suggesting that the 40’s sound better/nicer than the 20’s, LE’s or standard editions, something to do with the mid-range driver I believe. Of course YMMV.
ATC have confirmed that the limited edition and standard SCM20A are identical, with respect to audio performance……
ATB, J
You’ll recall the conversation we had at Naim when I was twittering on about the Atom HE and how wonderful I think it is, and how I understood it was little different to the 222 when used into active speakers. Jason said that while the 222/300 is a different thing, in a straight choice between the HE and the 222 into active speakers he’d pick the HE. So if you were to ditch the 300 you may as well ditch the 222 and get the HE, unless you need the phono stage. Given you have the 300 it would seem best to keep it.
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Good point, well made!
Recalling that conversation, and reviewing the system configuration I have presently arrived at, I don’t believe I can achieve any further zero-sum improvements, so probably best leave well, by which I mean very good/exellent, alone 
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ATB, J
The 40 is the lowest model with ATC’s sublime SM75-150 midrange unit, which for several decades has widely been considered to be one of, if not the, best midrange driver there is. There are two versions, that in the 40 is the lower power version, while I think all the larger models have the higher power ‘Super’ version which has a bigger magnet. Even the lower power version is heavy, at 7kg apiece, and expensive, costing over £600 per unit, (The S is 9kg and over £1100). The mid-bass driver in the 20 has to do bass as well as mid, so isn’t as specialised, and despite its wider range it is considerable less expensive at £463.
(All prices from 2024 spare parts pricelist, inc VAT.)
That said, at least one member on here did quite extensive comparison of 20 and 40, preferring 20 - but of course room and personal taste are factors.
I always got a sense the 40’s need a little more room to breath than I had where as the 20actives in my space work superbly.
Luckily I have a patient and supportive dealer so was able to do extensive home demos.
For reference I also tried the 50actives and they just completely overpowered my room.
Visually the finish on the classic range was much nicer than the entry if that’s important.
Gary
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