iggi
Prospect
Speakers currently Graham Audio LS6, LS5/9, ATCscm11 and 19
Posts: 3
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Post by iggi on Sept 11, 2023 14:20:19 GMT
I currently have a number of systems running. ATC sca1 integrated into ATC scm19. Croft integrated into Graham Audio LS5/9.
Elekit TU8200r into Graham Audio LS6 and the Audiolab 7000a into ATC scm11. All highly satisfactory with the exception of the latter.
The Audiolab is pretty decent for an off the shelf mass produced Chinese manufactured amp but it's a bit lifeless. I've come across this situation before when I bought a new Marantz big integrated. Then I bought a Croft 25R preamp and used the power amp section of the Marantz and the result was transformational, bingo, that's more like it. Good old Glenn, r.i.p.
I am thinking that I could try that route again to inject some life into the Audiolab but sadly cannot source another Croft.
Question: Should I get an expert (are you listening Mr Kendal} to warm up the Audiolab integrated with some internals swapping ?
Go the separate additional preamp route, would that do the trick again
Suggestions for a preamp, passive or active under a £1k.
If I chose one myself it would be a complete shot in the dark.
Finally I feel honoured to be able to tap into the expertise that resides on this forum and wish all contributors the warmest thanks for the time that they donate.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,078
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 11, 2023 15:17:25 GMT
I currently have a number of systems running. ATC sca1 integrated into ATC scm19. Croft integrated into Graham Audio LS5/9. Elekit TU8200r into Graham Audio LS6 and the Audiolab 7000a into ATC scm11. All highly satisfactory with the exception of the latter. The Audiolab is pretty decent for an off the shelf mass produced Chinese manufactured amp but it's a bit lifeless. I've come across this situation before when I bought a new Marantz big integrated. Then I bought a Croft 25R preamp and used the power amp section of the Marantz and the result was transformational, bingo, that's more like it. Good old Glenn, r.i.p. I am thinking that I could try that route again to inject some life into the Audiolab but sadly cannot source another Croft. Question: Should I get an expert (are you listening Mr Kendal} to warm up the Audiolab integrated with some internals swapping ? Go the separate additional preamp route, would that do the trick again Suggestions for a preamp, passive or active under a £1k. If I chose one myself it would be a complete shot in the dark. Finally I feel honoured to be able to tap into the expertise that resides on this forum and wish all contributors the warmest thanks for the time that they donate. Hi Iggi, and welcome to the forum. I'm not sure how one would go about "warming up" a product such as the Audiolab 7000a other than to maybe put a valve buffer on the output of it. I'm not too familiar with the other kit, but the Elekit I think I've heard through some Sinus Faber speakers, and that didn't sound cold or harsh at all. Maybe a valve preamp isn't the worst idea? Alan had his hands on this a little while back and was very complimentary about the design: theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?76259-FS-Rose-rv23-valve-preamp |
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iggi
Prospect
Speakers currently Graham Audio LS6, LS5/9, ATCscm11 and 19
Posts: 3
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Post by iggi on Sept 13, 2023 7:20:47 GMT
Thanks for your one and only response, much appreciated. I do have an iFi tube buffer and I stuck that on the back end and it certainly hasn't done any harm. Perhaps I'll watch out for a Croft preamp to come up secondhand as there no alternatives suggested by the Audi Addicts gang. I loved your one line reviews on gear that's passed your way, I know it's a bit tongue in cheek but I found it useful in directing a non tech such as myself in the direction of outfits that know what they're doing.
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,078
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 13, 2023 7:30:54 GMT
Thanks for your one and only response, much appreciated. I do have an iFi tube buffer and I stuck that on the back end and it certainly hasn't done any harm. Perhaps I'll watch out for a Croft preamp to come up secondhand as there no alternatives suggested by the Audi Addicts gang. I loved your one line reviews on gear that's passed your way, I know it's a bit tongue in cheek but I found it useful in directing a non tech such as myself in the direction of outfits that know what they're doing. I'd forgotten all about that! It needs an update... |
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optical
Moderator
BIG STAR
Be Excellent To Eachother
Posts: 1,560 
Member is Online
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Post by optical on Sept 13, 2023 7:43:32 GMT
Hi iggi, and welcome. Indeed a little surprising no one else responded to your post however we do get a fair few "1 post wonders" whom join just to pose a question and then when answered are never heard from again . . . not suggesting this is the case here but perhaps members are less inclined to make the effort if they feel it may not receive any acknowledgement. Again, not suggesting this is the case at all just giving you a potential reason for lack of responses . . anyway . . I do know what you mean regarding 'warming up' certain components, especially solid state . . . not everyone feels the same as I, but I do tend to lean towards a slightly more lush and expansive presentation. I think looking out for a used Croft is certainly a good idea, they can and will pop up (especially with Glen's sad passing) as people are a little hesitent regarding the ongoing servicing/repair side of things, however they are actually very simple in design and would not pose a problem for competant electrical service persons. Plenty of know-how on here regarding Croft-ware. Quite rare but I would also be on the lookout for something like a Schiit Freya+. Valves, a remote and very clean yet 'fun/warm' sound by all accounts. Oli's suggestion above also looks a very nice piece. Cheers Chris |
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Post by mikeyb on Sept 13, 2023 7:52:27 GMT
Simpler to buy a different amp
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optical
Moderator
BIG STAR
Be Excellent To Eachother
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Post by optical on Sept 13, 2023 7:55:27 GMT
Simpler to buy a different amp He's right . . . haha |
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 13, 2023 8:30:02 GMT
Simpler to buy a different amp I agree. Probably cheaper, too, than splashing out on a Croft. I'd suggest a nice little class D. A Cyrus ONE is strutting its stuff to excellent effect in my system. No lack of the light and life of the music imo. |
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Post by lurch on Sept 13, 2023 9:39:57 GMT
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Post by bencat on Sept 13, 2023 9:54:26 GMT
This is a little difficult as I have not heard many ATC speakers other than the actives . One things that is correct about the scm 11 is that it is not very efficient at 85db so in order to get it really working it is going to need lots of real power and probably current as well . This of course will depend on how loud you play and the size of the room .
In my view the Audiolab is not best suited as it always had a grey sort of sound and was in my view a very boring to listen to amp . I doubt it has enough get up and go to power the ATC . I would be looking at some of the good quality Rotel power amps that sell for around £500 and have about 200 watt output . Couple those with either a decent passive or a croft pre and I think you will have a very different presentation .
Another route could be to look for one of the higher end and higher powered integrated amps but I do not have much experience on those as I have all pre / power combinations .
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 13, 2023 13:11:33 GMT
Yup, I've still got it. Not in use atm, though. Very transparent and neutral. A bit tonally stark, so needs careful matching. Probably not ideal with the Audiolab. |
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iggi
Prospect
Speakers currently Graham Audio LS6, LS5/9, ATCscm11 and 19
Posts: 3
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Post by iggi on Sept 13, 2023 15:10:05 GMT
Simpler to buy a different amp Stone me, you've all cropped up like weeds on a wet summer's day. This reply jolted me and struck me as being the most sensible even if suggested in jest. I noted the suggestion on a Schiit Freya and will put that at the back of my mind. I struggle with a new alternative integrated, I briefly tried the Rega Elex mk4 and there was nothing to complain about with the sound but the factory supplied it with the wrong fuse which blew fairly quickly and I couldn't get one of the digital inputs to work: this left me with the feeling that quality control could be better. The modern Exposure 2510 would probably suit but hellfire, £1850 for a simple amp where the guts is made in Malaysia and then tinkered around with in the UK. The dealer that supplied the Audiolab, I could tell his heart wasn't in it, was enthusiastic with the Cyrus range and I take on board one of your contributor's endorsement. I naively thought that class D was sort of super digital and never considered it properly. Any further contributions that I may make will be rare but always in the spirit of being helpful. I have had a fair bit of new equipment through my hands in the last 15 years and will always jump forward and wave a flag and point out shortcomings as I see them if warranted. A few examples : Musical Fidelty M2si, one of the few amps I have eventually jumped out of my seat to turn off, hard as nails. Audio Note Oto se, super lush sound (those EL84's I guess) but taking the lid off to investigate a hum, my first thought where's my money gone it's empty in here and some caps were on their way out after a few years only. Tech said they were'nt much cop either just to make me feel better. Omega single drivers, beautiful cabinetry but a mid range hard to live with. Ditto the Klipsch Heresy's except the cabinets not much to write home about. Enough whingeing, thanks for the comments guys. |
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