Update – One year with the ATC SCM40A

Watching Low-Fi TV?

Now your author is not alone at home. There is a mini-me running around – 11 years old by now, so not really mini anymore – and a better half who also just wants to use the system. As you might recognize, all sorts of sound has to come through these speakers: games, movies, music… and not everything is ‘high-res audiophile-worthy’ of course. In fact 95% just isn’t.

It is amazing how tolerant the ATC SCM40A is. Actually, it just all sounds pretty good. Of course, quality differences are audible. But news or games are excellent. There is no abundant sharpness or harshness in the reproduction that makes it impossible to use these types of sources.

Now we have to say that a Mutec MC1.1 AND MC3 USB reclocker are in use. The TV and Playstation 5 go through the Mutec MC3 USB reclocker and the PC – mostly used for games – also goes through a Mutec USB interface. That’s a nice boost in playback quality, though.

Cabling?

Speaking of tweaks: cabling. And before the studio people start bouncing around about these kinds of “nonsensical tweaks”; yes it is definitely audible.

Your author is in the fortunate position of being able to try quite a bit. But well, you know… it took literally months to ‘tweak’ a bit. That had mostly to do with some private matters ánd at the same time the gigantic restyle that was going on.

Initially, the regular mains cables were replaced for Yeti solid core. That was a very audible step. Especially the bass cleared up. Then an Isotek Titan EVO3 was put between the wall socket and the ATCs. Again a nice improvement. Especially in calmness and imaging. Also, playback is more stable over the day, which is nice.

The biggest step, however, proved to be the signal cables. Due to a change in the office, a pair of 2-meter Grimm TPM became available. So the 3-meter Grimm TPR was replaced with a pair of 2-meter TPM (that was a tight fit!). This brought much more peace, refinement and especially space in the reproduction. In short: definitely worth investigating!

Concluding

After years of playing with the DALI Epicon 2 (in combination with the NAD C298 in mono and before that the limited AVM M30’s (so the real ones :-)) there is now the ATC SCM40A. Active floorstanders…

After a year, your author can say: what wonderful speakers! Not for a moment there was a feeling of regret. Not even during the break-in period that lasted two months. (Keep that in mind!). These will stay!