After trying out different amps, speakers and CD players in the last 2 years, I have finally started to enjoy my system: Meridian 507 CD player, Michell Gyrodec SE turntable with DC power supply/Rega RB300 tonearm/Ortofon MC20 Supreme cartridge, Myryad T30 FM tuner, Sugden A21 integrated amp, Trichord Dino phono stage and since last week, a pair of ATC SCM12 monitors.
Two years ago I started off with a Naim front end and amps: CD3.5, Nat03 tuner, 32.5 pre amp, dual rail Snaps power supply, bolted down case NAP250 power amp driving a pair of passive ATC SCM20 speakers. The SCM20 were made in 1994 approximately with the bass drivers re-coned by ATC because they were ex demo units and the last owner wasn't happy with the cone, so he took them to ATC for a re-cone. The sound was quite nice, but I wanted some newer amplifiers, so I sold all the older Naim components and got the newer Naim 5 series: 112/150 pre & power amps, CD5 with Flatcap 2 and Nat05 tuner. I kept the ATC SCM20 speakers because I like them. I was enjoying the sound of the system, although the Naim 150 power amp wasn't quite powerful enough to use the full potential of the ATC speakers.
Then I was made redundant, so time to move on to another job. Moving the ATC SCM20 around wasn't an easy task, they were damn heavy. All my belongings were in a relative's house including the stereo system. The SCM20 monitors were just too big and the bass was too heavy in the small listening room in my relative's house, so I sold the SCM20 and the Naim 5 series amps, but kept the Naim CD5 and Nat05 tuner. I needed a pair of more compact speakers. I found a used ATC CA2 pre amp with the Active 10 speakers. The ATC Active 10 speakers are much smaller and the bass should be less dominant. What a mistake! The sound with the Naim CD5 was dull, lifeless and flat.... I just didn't get on with the combination. The magic midrange of the ATC SCM20 speakers has disappeared. Another person who also had the Naim CD5/ ATC Active 10 briefly confirmed that the Naim CD5 is to be blamed. I tried a different CD player: a Rega Planet 2000 CD player. There was a slight improvement in the midrange, but I still didn't like the sound, or the plastic feel of the Planet, so the Planet was sold.
In November 2004, I decided to sell the Naim CD5, ATC Active 10 and the CA2 pre amp. The buyer of the ATC brought to my home his own home made valve amp and an unknown brand CD player with a Frankenstein expander. I was well impressed with the sound. The Active 10 was given a proper front end and the valve pre amp really brought out the texture. Anyway the buyer took the Active 10 away. I subsequently sold the CA2 pre amp to a zerogain member.
The Naim CD5 stayed with me for a few weeks before I found another CD player. I always fancied a Sugden A21 integrated amp, so I bought one. I also found a pair of Dynaudio Audience 52 speakers in the local paper, although I didn't know if the A21 amp would have sufficient power to drive the Dynaudio, but I bought them to try out. Now I was enjoying music more. The Sugden A21 amp is really nice, it has beautiful and lucid midrange like vintage valve amps such as Leak Stereo 20 and Quad II, but its bass is tight. Many people would think that changing the speakers from the ATC Active 10 to the Dynaudio Audience 52 is a downgrade, but in my opinion, the Dynaudio shows what the Naim CD5 is good at, with lots of pace and rhythm.
Then in Christmas, I managed to buy a used Meridian 507 CD player. I listened to it side by side to the Naim CD5 for 2 weeks. From stone cold, the 507 in my system sounds better than the CD5. There are plenty of details, piano sounds like piano, and midrange is smooth and accurate. The Naim CD5 sounded flat, two dimensional and coloured. I sold the CD5 quickly.
The Dynaudio 52 speakers are a stop gap. They are black which is not my preferred colour. I really want the sound I used to get from the ATC SCM20. I fancy a pair of ATC passive SCM12. They are not as big as the 20 litre SCM20. The bass is less heavy than the SCM20. Finally I got a pair last week!
Many people would not think the 25W Sugden A21 have enough power for the passive ATC SCM12. In my tiny listening room, I am only about 2 metres away from the speakers. The A21 and SCM12 just sound superb, with enough bass weight for my taste and finally I got the magic midrange back! The imaging is superb. The vocal can be a bit forward, perhaps not to the taste to everyone, but I am enjoying music again.
What I have learnt these 2 years is that building an audio system requires careful matching. Don't be afraid of making a mistake, just accept it. I always try to buy used components, so other than the cost of my existing set up, the various changes have been free.
What will I do next? Perhaps a more powerful amp such as a Nad S300, AVI Laboratory Series or ATC SIA150 integrated amp. I'd like to try the Musical Fidelity A308 integrated amp but Chris technobear thinks the sound of the A308 and SCM12 being very slow. I know that if I buy a new amp, it must give the warmth and lucidity of the Sugden A21. Happy listening and enjoy whatever you have got!
Regards
Hon
Two years ago I started off with a Naim front end and amps: CD3.5, Nat03 tuner, 32.5 pre amp, dual rail Snaps power supply, bolted down case NAP250 power amp driving a pair of passive ATC SCM20 speakers. The SCM20 were made in 1994 approximately with the bass drivers re-coned by ATC because they were ex demo units and the last owner wasn't happy with the cone, so he took them to ATC for a re-cone. The sound was quite nice, but I wanted some newer amplifiers, so I sold all the older Naim components and got the newer Naim 5 series: 112/150 pre & power amps, CD5 with Flatcap 2 and Nat05 tuner. I kept the ATC SCM20 speakers because I like them. I was enjoying the sound of the system, although the Naim 150 power amp wasn't quite powerful enough to use the full potential of the ATC speakers.
Then I was made redundant, so time to move on to another job. Moving the ATC SCM20 around wasn't an easy task, they were damn heavy. All my belongings were in a relative's house including the stereo system. The SCM20 monitors were just too big and the bass was too heavy in the small listening room in my relative's house, so I sold the SCM20 and the Naim 5 series amps, but kept the Naim CD5 and Nat05 tuner. I needed a pair of more compact speakers. I found a used ATC CA2 pre amp with the Active 10 speakers. The ATC Active 10 speakers are much smaller and the bass should be less dominant. What a mistake! The sound with the Naim CD5 was dull, lifeless and flat.... I just didn't get on with the combination. The magic midrange of the ATC SCM20 speakers has disappeared. Another person who also had the Naim CD5/ ATC Active 10 briefly confirmed that the Naim CD5 is to be blamed. I tried a different CD player: a Rega Planet 2000 CD player. There was a slight improvement in the midrange, but I still didn't like the sound, or the plastic feel of the Planet, so the Planet was sold.
In November 2004, I decided to sell the Naim CD5, ATC Active 10 and the CA2 pre amp. The buyer of the ATC brought to my home his own home made valve amp and an unknown brand CD player with a Frankenstein expander. I was well impressed with the sound. The Active 10 was given a proper front end and the valve pre amp really brought out the texture. Anyway the buyer took the Active 10 away. I subsequently sold the CA2 pre amp to a zerogain member.
The Naim CD5 stayed with me for a few weeks before I found another CD player. I always fancied a Sugden A21 integrated amp, so I bought one. I also found a pair of Dynaudio Audience 52 speakers in the local paper, although I didn't know if the A21 amp would have sufficient power to drive the Dynaudio, but I bought them to try out. Now I was enjoying music more. The Sugden A21 amp is really nice, it has beautiful and lucid midrange like vintage valve amps such as Leak Stereo 20 and Quad II, but its bass is tight. Many people would think that changing the speakers from the ATC Active 10 to the Dynaudio Audience 52 is a downgrade, but in my opinion, the Dynaudio shows what the Naim CD5 is good at, with lots of pace and rhythm.
Then in Christmas, I managed to buy a used Meridian 507 CD player. I listened to it side by side to the Naim CD5 for 2 weeks. From stone cold, the 507 in my system sounds better than the CD5. There are plenty of details, piano sounds like piano, and midrange is smooth and accurate. The Naim CD5 sounded flat, two dimensional and coloured. I sold the CD5 quickly.
The Dynaudio 52 speakers are a stop gap. They are black which is not my preferred colour. I really want the sound I used to get from the ATC SCM20. I fancy a pair of ATC passive SCM12. They are not as big as the 20 litre SCM20. The bass is less heavy than the SCM20. Finally I got a pair last week!
Many people would not think the 25W Sugden A21 have enough power for the passive ATC SCM12. In my tiny listening room, I am only about 2 metres away from the speakers. The A21 and SCM12 just sound superb, with enough bass weight for my taste and finally I got the magic midrange back! The imaging is superb. The vocal can be a bit forward, perhaps not to the taste to everyone, but I am enjoying music again.
What I have learnt these 2 years is that building an audio system requires careful matching. Don't be afraid of making a mistake, just accept it. I always try to buy used components, so other than the cost of my existing set up, the various changes have been free.
What will I do next? Perhaps a more powerful amp such as a Nad S300, AVI Laboratory Series or ATC SIA150 integrated amp. I'd like to try the Musical Fidelity A308 integrated amp but Chris technobear thinks the sound of the A308 and SCM12 being very slow. I know that if I buy a new amp, it must give the warmth and lucidity of the Sugden A21. Happy listening and enjoy whatever you have got!
Regards
Hon
Last edited by a moderator:
