I know the comparison may seems awkward.
I have moved to ATC 50ASLT from TAD ME1, and M1000. The preamp C600 is still with me.
I just received the ATC SCA2 preamp to try it at home however is totally new and without break in time is hard to judge it.
Anyone who tried it / bought it or preferred other preamp options?
When I bought my 40As, I had the 272/xpsdr that I wanted to replace, I was hesitating between the CA2 and the SPL Director mk2, a store that sells both brands recommended the SPL to me, I have it for more than a year and I don’t regret it! the 40A were bridled with the 272… I read that the preamp of the CA2 and the SCA2 are equivalent…
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Thanks for the feedback. From what I have understood the SCA2 is a dual mono preamp and fully discrete with high current stages, while the CA2 is not dual mono and has only one stage discrete in class A.
I read it wrong then… 
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Looking up details of the C600 it seems like an astonishing preamp, one that is almost an order of magnitude more expensive than the SCA2. I get wanting system synergy by having all components from one manufacturer but I would be very surprised if the C600 wasn’t the better of the two pres by some margin.
Can I ask what led you to ditching your all-TAD system for ATC? Everything I have read about TAD has been filled with superlatives.
I’ve just taken possession of an Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo preamp for home demo and it is simply incredible. Japanese high-end is among the best and personally goes under the radar.
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The CX1 solo must be amazing. The C600 should be in the same league. As soon as I plugged in the brand new SCA2 I could feel same level of transparency and absence of noise floor. The C600 perhaps slightly more less delicate, less in your face, and more open. However the SCA2 is brand new so the break in may affect. The TAD system was great. I had an issue with a tweeter that TAD didn’t cover with the warranty. It upset me and decided it was a good excuse to try a very different system, more lively and engaging.
Yeah, the Solo is pretty amazing. Interesting that the SCA2 isn’t far off the C600, which makes it a huge bargain, but time may show the differences larger than on first impression as often it’s those subtle details that often becomes the X factor on why a piece of gear captures our attention.
I totally sympathise with your reason for changing brand. Having a poor customer experience can sour ones love for a company.
Indeed. I can keep the SCA2 for now. Let’s see after a month of burning in. Preamp is key especially when you have unforgiving active speakers and sources.
If you have the opportunity to try the SPL Elector (Director without dac) you might be surprised… but perhaps not expensive enough 
I know someone who replaced his nac555 with the Elector on his 40A with the Dave as a source.
I really don’t dig the price stuff. That’s why I’m auditioning the ATC preamp. I’ve read about the SPL and will try it out if I can. Thanks.
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