Power amp recommendation

[biosailor]

So, a long audio journey took its end today: I took my Headamp GSX-Mk2 to a local dealer to see how it sounds with the ATC SCM 11 speakers and the Lab.Gruppen IPD 1200. In short: the combo sounded superb! Lean, clear, and absolutely natural!We listened to some jazz music and some madrigals from Claudio Monteverdi, and I was totally taken aback. That's a big compliment for the Headamp pre-amplifier. Just as good as listening with headphones. It didn't take me long to take a decision, I so much liked the lean and detailed sound. Payed the amp, dismantled all connections and drove home with my new amp and the Headamp. BUT: I still have to wait a few weeks for my speakers to arrive, Arrrrggggh

 

[Mr Rick]

So, a long audio journey took its end today: I took my Headamp GSX-Mk2 to a local dealer to see how it sounds with the ATC SCM 11 speakers and the Lab.Gruppen IPD 1200. In short: the combo sounded superb! Lean, clear, and absolutely natural!We listened to some jazz music and some madrigals from Claudio Monteverdi, and I was totally taken aback. That's a big compliment for the Headamp pre-amplifier. Just as good as listening with headphones. It didn't take me long to take a decision, I so much liked the lean and detailed sound. Payed the amp, dismantled all connections and drove home with my new amp and the Headamp. BUT: I still have to wait a few weeks for my speakers to arrive, Arrrrggggh

We will expect a full report.

 

[biosailor]

Here's a picture I took at the demo. The two loudspeakers are the ATC SCM11. The loudspeaker stands are made by a local workshop, I'll order them when the speakers have arrived. The GSX-Mk2 stack is on the left side, and the Lab.Gruppen IPD 1200 is on the right (with the bright display on). I also need to think about speaker cables. Maybe someone has an idea? Again, the sound created by the system was gorgeous, very natural and airy. I a anxiously waiting for the speakers to arrive.

 

[biosailor]

Long time no post!

Just got a mail from the local dealer saying that my ATC SCM11 will be at Swiss customs tomorrow! I started to believe that the English fellows from ATC plant a cherry tree and wait till it's big enough to produce a loudspeaker from it . But finally, they are here to pick them up. Good news, BUT: I'm leaving for an extended business trip tomorrow. Arrrrrghhh!!! My patience is stretched to infinity, and my power amp looks at me every day and silently asking when the great day will finally be here ! As always, I keep you posted.

 

[biosailor]

The ATC SCM11 found their way to my home, hurray! They look gorgeous. BUT, I forgot to order Neutrik XLR cables for connecting the pre-amp with the power amp. Again, I'll be leaving on a business trip tomorrow, but when back, I'll get the cables straight away!!! Here are a few ATC impressions.

 

[biosailor]

And, of course, bought some new, flashy speaker cables.

The ATC SCM11s are still settling in, will give a full report once they are fully burnt in. Needed to do some changes in the audio chain, but all looks perfectly OK. I am very happy so far with the speakers and the Lab.Gruppen power amp.

I'll keep you posted

 

[biosailor]

So, I have the ATC SCM11s burnt in for two weeks. First impressions are really, really good.

Just a few remarks before giving a full report:

The speakers right out of the box sounded good, although a little flat. It took about ten days till they developed enough punch in the bass area, while highs were excellent right from the start. I guess the speakers haven't settled in fully, so the bass region might still develop a bit. If so, all the better.

The sound is extremely revealing and transparent. A delight.

I had to get used to the Lab.Gruppen IPD 1200 amp. It is extremely powerful, so one has to play around with taming it. The input level needs to be cut to about -25 dB, otherwise the pre-amp of the GSX-Mk2 delivers too much power. Also, at 0 dB input, the amp hisses just a bit, which is not audible when music is playing. But I prefer a silent amp.

I also played about with my set-up. First I streamed music from my Aurender N100H to the DAC. This sounded very pleasantly, and since the speakers hadn't settled completely, it sounded a little lifeless. I then switched to feeding music to my DAC via the Audirvana 3.1 beta. In parallel, the speakers settled better, and at first listen, the sound was very detailed and with lots of bass. However, after a few hours of listening, I noticed that I was getting sensitive to some digital glare getting through the Audirvana. Same thing when I switched to Room, although not as pronounced. So I switched back to the Aurender and, voilà, there it was it again: very smooth sound, without any sharpness and brightness. So I'll stay with my Aurender, all perfectly well controllable va my iPAD.