I feel very tempted as I have just come across a pair of the above and was wondering if anyone is running them with a Nova and if so is it a good pairing and how do you go about connecting them?
I’m currently running a Nova/250/PMCs 25/21i set up. I do know I cannot use the 250 with active speakers.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Tony, I’m not sure how good the pairing would be but the Nova has preamp outputs on both RCA and DIN sockets, so you just need an an appropriately wired cable to connect to the amp packs on the ATCs. The 250 then becomes redundant.
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You just need RCA to XLR cables from the Novas preamp outputs.
I’d be tempted to swap the Nova and the 250 for a 222.
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Thank you, James.
Thank you. It’s a thought.
Pardon the ignorance as I never had actives before but there are two pre outs - one RCA and one DIN each. One for each channel? Please be gentle.
Yes, the white RCA output, labeled L, is for the left channel, the right one, labeled R, is for the right channel.
Theoretically one could find or commission a rather long DIN-> dual XLR cable, but it would be unwieldy and certainly rather nichy. Better in my opinion to do RCA->XLR which can be obtained quite easily from a wide variety of manufacturers.
An economical but high quality option here in the States can be found at Blue Jeans Cable, but I’m certain there is a European equivalent if easier.
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Super thanks for clarifying that. I suppose a pair of good quality speaker cables is essential since the Naca5 will be made redundant.
Thank again.
No speaker cables whatsoever. Just the interconnects from the Nova to the speakers.
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Still has to be 2x3m long.
If you want active speakers I’d suggest selling the Nova and getting either a 222 or an Atom HE. Both have balanced XLR outputs that are perfect for active speakers. People who have compared the 222 and HE have found they are very close, with the 222 coming into its own if you want to add a PS or use the phono stage.
If you are happy with the PMCs you could do as I’ve done and take them active with the £1,700 active upgrade kit. You connect with balanced XLRs. Mine cost £70 from designacable.
If you want to keep the Nova you’d need two RCA to XLR leads, but you won’t get the benefits of a balanced connection.
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I run this combination. Superb.
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SCM40a speakers are an audiophile bargain in my totally biased opinion. But they are very revealing of upstream components and, although I’ve not heard the combination, I doubt the pre out from a Nova would cut it except as a temporary measure. In New Classic, I’d be looking at 222, ideally with PS or even 300 series.
For preamps or pre/streamers with unbalanced DIN or RCA outputs you’d need a correctly wired cable made up — there’s a wiring diagram in the booklet that comes with the speakers. But how well the preamp output of a Nova would drive long unbalanced interconnects I’m not sure. For a permanent solution I’d be tempted to install a transformer so you could use balanced cables.
But I doubt you’d regret getting the ATCs.
Roger
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3 metres isn’t that long, so you are probably fine with unbalanced (DIN or RCA) cables. It may well be that you would prefer a different setup without the redundant power amp, such as a 222, but I wouldn’t worry too much about changing just to get a balanced XLR connection.
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When I replaced my 272/XPSDR the qualitative leap on my 40A was very important, do not neglect the preamp which is very important in the chain, and not necessarily very expensive!
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Thank you all.
Some of you may remember that I downsized from a full system not long ago and have no intention of going up that ladder again. Only the 250 remains and selling it along with the Nova for a 222 seems logical and tempting.
I will probably sell the PMCs because, as capable and lively as they are, I need a more “full-bodied” sound.
Thanks again for all your advice.
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Looks to me like the right move @Tony
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I love ATC speakers / sound but agree the rest of the chain (source/pre amp) makes a big difference.
I have some 11’s that sound great with an Atom.
Gary
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Naim NSC222 and active ATC 40a in place. Thank you so much for the invaluable advice.
Happy days ahead.
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40a’s and a 222 , a very elegant solution, enjoy.
Gary
Ps how close are your 40’s to the wall?
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