If that’s the Old Classic 250, I’m not surprised. I felt a 250DR was not fully up to driving SCM40s and they needed at least a 300DR from the OC range. For SCM 50s I’d be looking for a pair of 350s from the NC models or, even better, going active.
Roger
Based on @Lilac’s experience of an Audiophonics module it seems three of those might be great for triamping, combined with a suitable active crossover… How the sound quality and cost would compare with ATC’s active version of the speaker I have no idea!
According to ATC the amps in their active power packs are tailored to the characteristics of the specific driver they’re driving. In one of the several online ATC factory tours the opportunity for matching amp to driver is specifically mentioned. I guess it’s still possible that a trio of off-the-shelf amps with external active x-over might sound better in some circumstances, but it’s a different approach to active operation.
Roger
Indeed I’m well aware of that, however with a good AXO it is possible to tailor crossover frequencies, characteristics and slopes, phase and levels, and even add some degree of other filtering which could even help with some room effects as well as balancing driver responses - all of which can be set up by testing in situ in the listening room. Whether worth trying would depend on both the relative costs and appetite for experimentation.
It might be an interesting experiment, but I wonder about the practicability. For one thing I’m not not sure how easy it is to bypass the internal x-over in passive ATCs.
Roger
Linn sold kits for converting absolutely loads of speakers to active for their digital crossover. Including crossover profiles to load up. In most cases it’s as simple as replacing the back plate with one the same size and extra binding posts.
Some kits required more bravery than others with drilling required.
It can certainly be done and done well without much DIY skill.
But your resale value goes to junk.
I’d wager that it cones out very easily, enabling ATC to convert to active, which they offer as an upgrade (or they certainly used to). It is most likely fixed directly on the inside of the removeable panel bearing the terminals, present at least on the floorstanders.
Yes they do offer it, though not for the entry series. However, I believe conversion is a back-to-factory option which is what makes me think swapping out the x-over for active operation is not entirely simple. It’s obviously possible, but I do wonder if anyone has actually done it.
Roger
I think Linn’s active stuff has evolved into their Exakt technology and ATC is not on the list of brands which support Exakt. That’s not to say it couldn’t be done, of course.
Roger
Whilst I fully expect the XO to be on the back of that plate on the floorstanders and easily removable, attaching ATC’s amp pack to the rear of the cabinet properly is probably less straightforward, which would be my guess as to why it is only offered as a factory job.
Just bought one of the audiophonics 450s so will be interresting next wk. Will be driven with xlr connectors out of the variable output of the atoll dac 300.
There is also a 310 preamp. Would anyone have an opinion?
I am considering purchasing a Apollonaudio 9040 Dual Mono amp. I have new classic 222 with NAP250 currently to drive my Focal Sopra 2. The Sopra are difficult load and I often wonder if they benefit from more power. But the Naim 300 mono blocks are too expensive for my taste. I am very curious how the Purifi Eigentakt 1ET9040BA module sound. At 2k for base model and 2.5k for lux they are not inexpensive but still a total bargain next to Naim.
you have spotted appolon as the best of the bunch of the direct sales alternatives? Any reviews or other background. I went the Audiophonics route for 2 reasons: price and a review on Quobuz. Poweramp arriving today, pre-amp tomorrow.
There are virtually no reviews but Apollon has the newest module, the 9040. That’s the main reason I am considering this.
I have the LAIV GANm mono block Class D amps. Best Class D I ever heard. Sounds just like an A/B amp. Better than nCore (DIY), Purifi (March Audio). The same cannot be said for their pre / headphone amp though. Replaced with a Luxman C10X I had lying around.
These are not remotely tough for a 250. It can in fact swing far more transient power than they could handle and minimum impedance of 3 Ohms dipped from 8 is well within a 250’s happy place.
You certainly might prefer another amp, but I doubt power and grip from a regulated amp like the 250 is the problem. You might just not like the sound of the 250.
Be aware that forum rules don’t permit links to other fora, so these direct links are at risk of being removed.
or the speakers, they are the weak point IMO
Martin
@Dan_M has a 500 dr and four subs with them. It means something. They are power hungry.
I had 2 x 135s with Sopra 2s and I found that had plenty of ooomph.
The choice of a 500DR and 2 Rel S 812s is choice rather than necessity.
A NC 250 would work well or a 300DR upwards. I never found the CB 250 enough for my needs, even with Focal Aria 936s.
It depends on the type of music you play. I play loud Techno and the bass warms up the 500DR very quickly at volume. If I listen to pop and rock then the 500DR stays cool to slightly warm.
I don’t think Sopra 2s are difficult to drive.
