ATC loudspeakers

[two dot]

Welcome Targa02...

Do you have one? Lets see photos.

[Targa02]

Thanks for the very warm welcome! I will post pictures and give impressions throughout the process. I plan on taking the day off from work on the day they arrive. Please feel free to offer constructive criticism of my set up. Thanks again!

[Targa02]

Hi Everyone,

The ATCs have arrived. Mine are the Classic 50s (the number in the model description is the cabinet size in litres) in Zebrano finish. They of course look better in person than they do in photos. They are packaged quite well: double-boxed and lots of big form-fitting styrofoam to make sure the speaker surface is several inches away from the outer box. They are heavy, about 90lbs each, so you need help unpacking.

I quickly put the speakers in place with the following upstream components: 2011 stock MacMini (will be running: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/spatial/1.html)>> Wyred4Sound DAC2>>Wyred4Sound STP SE Pr

First thing I noticed when turning on the amps with the switch on the back is dead silence. No sound at all - period. No hum not even a small click, other than the mechanical action of the switch itself being moved. I am not the best at writing reviews, but I will give this a try. Right out of the box they sound wonderful. There is such a great level of transparency. Every note and every word spoken or sung seems as though it is right in front of you - like you can touch it. The bass response is everything you read about ATCs. It is there in spades! Very impactful and dry. I originally considered going for the ATC 100s, but I am now confident they would have been too much for my room. These speakers are very dynamic and the saturation of tone is something I have been searching for. Just like most everyone else I like to hear all the details, for better or worse, but I want the presentation to have "meat on the bones". With the ATCs, as long as you have a detailed front end, you will get meat on the bones. They are very truthful. I have no doubt that any upgrades to the front end will be easily heard thru the ATCs. As a matter of fact I have removed my Wyred4Sound Pre and am using my DAC as a pre. The W4S Pre is known to be quite transparent, but removing it did give credence to the old saying, "less is more".

I will likely look to upgrade the front end of my system at some point, but I do not see changing speakers for a very long time. This makes both me and my wife very happy.

I appreciate any comments, questions or constructive criticism.

Happy Listening! G

[jdandy]

Targa02.......Wow, the ATC Classic 50's look spectacular. The Zebrano finish is gorgeous. Good to hear they are making you and your wife happy.

[Matt]

Lovely speakers
I've never seen them in that finish before. Very nice
I have the scm50asl pro version myself.

ATC's require quite a long break-in period to sound their best.
After 200hrs or so they will sound a lot better than they already do. And after 400+hrs they really open up, particularly in the bass and midrange.
The bass will gain much more weight and control, and the midrange will become so transparent that you will hear things in recordings that sound so obvious, yet you have never heard them before.

Also, power cords and fuses(in the Ac inlet on the amp pack) make a nice difference. I use Hifi-Tuning Supreme3 fuses in mine, and Ps Audio Premier sc power cords.

Cheers
Matt

[gtubes]

Targa02, I love the finish. From what I've read about ATCs they are spectacular sounding!

[Jerome W]

Very nice speakers !
Congrats !

[Targa02]

Originally Posted by Matt

Lovely speakers
I've never seen them in that finish before. Very nice
I have the scm50asl pro version myself.

ATC's require quite a long break-in period to sound their best.
After 200hrs or so they will sound a lot better than they already do. And after 400+hrs they really open up, particularly in the bass and midrange.
The bass will gain much more weight and control, and the midrange will become so transparent that you will hear things in recordings that sound so obvious, yet you have never heard them before.

Also, power cords and fuses(in the Ac inlet on the amp pack) make a nice difference. I use Hifi-Tuning Supreme3 fuses in mine, and Ps Audio Premier sc power cords.

Cheers
Matt

Thanks for the information Matt. I have about 100 hours on them so far and they are sounding better and better.

For a relatively small premium you can order ATCs with quite a number of finishes beyond the standard Cherry or Walnut.

[Matt]

Keep us posted on how you get on after you have spent some more time with them

Cheers
Matt