Hifi Eye Candy

Prices vary where you look as there are active and passive versions, veneered stand mounted and floor standing as well as stand mounted 'pro-crackle-black' models, but mine were piano lacquer black and active. The passives were cheaper by £1500 or so and the passive crossovers, despite what any audiophool will tell you, were demonstrably inferior as the mid dome is run wide open and needs the sharp crossover slopes and careful phase matching in the active network.

With the closure of many large studios and the move towards mid field or near field monitoring (and I'm going to say, losing Ashley James' colourful bullish personality), ATC contracted sharply in the early noughties and prices went through the roof it seems. Modern smaller speakers can do incredible things in the mids and top (ATC now make their own excellent overkill tweeters where mine had a beefed up Vifa soft dome), but I still miss the impact of a large bass driver, the kind that enthusiasts in the 50's and 60's took for granted. I weep when I see current audio gear pricing.

www.theaudiobarn.co.uk/product/atc-scm100psl-loudspeakers/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzNPS86i32wIVzLftCh3bRQwMEAQYAyABEgKQWvD_BwE

www.proaudioeurope.com/monitoring/active-monitors/atc-scm100asl-pro-3-way-active-monitors-pair.html

I moaned because the Harbeth 40.2 is now around ten grand, when the 40.1 was 'only' around six grand when it came out less than ten years ago. Today and with the amps I have, I'd probably go for the 40.2 over the ATC's as getting an A-B dem would be next to impossible an the 40.2's have a tighter bass than previously. the equivalent Spendor SP100 model is too fruity sounding I believe, for smaller UK living rooms.

Tell you something, I remember seeing Goodmans Magnum speakers at the time (late 60's to early 70's) and not being fazed by their size. RD stripped a pair put and was moving the cabs around in his stockroom one time when I visited and I couldn't believe how effin' huge they were!!!!! Hopefully this'll help explain why I don't favour smaller speakers overmuch, as below the two CU box with 8" main driver, you do lose so much 'presence' I feel.

Back on topic, I can't get excited about fancy electronics, as I know what's inside and it don't cost very much usually apart from the transformer. makers such as Accuphase and others, tend to over-design their circuits, rather like that preamp referred to above, so you're laden with 'stuff' on the circuit board when the signal path may be quite simple. My Crown amps are like that, as each gain block has tightly regulated supplies right next to each stage. Oil rig turntables are feasts for the eyes, but in my book don't 'need' to be so flashy. I'd love to try a decent EMT though or maybe a properly restored gates with Gray tonearm fitted with a decent cartridge able to safely use a 3 - 4g tracking force and the damping involved.