JDWest

That's a question I've been pondering for many years Those are the exact criteria that I value most. I use a Mola Mola Makua, which is an analog preamp into which I added the optional DAC module. IMO it is awesome in all those critera; I love it but you should know that I sell that brand so feel free to assume bias. Mostly, though, the expensive price puts people off. I previously used ATC's SCA2; very good indeed but not cheap for a preamp without DAC (add my dealer bias to that suggestion too). I use only one (digital) source so have no need for input switching functions and therefore really want a simpler and cheaper DAC/pre to take my fancy. Mola Mola's Tambaqui and Chord's Dave and even the more reasonably priced Hugo TT2 tempt me to the digital volume control and show me how much it has improved these last 5 years; at least amongst these more expensive DACs. Haven't tried Bricasti. Sadly, I have no other suggestions that I can think of at the moment. I would certainly like to be listing components at the more affordable end of the scale. Hopefully some other ATC owners will chime in.

I'm an ATC dealer and long time ATC owner. IMO, you would certainly run them full range. They don't distort at LF, they just roll off. Also, the amp pack has 200W devoted to just an individual woofer so it's not like they are power starved for the low end. They will go lower than you expect if you're judging by the specs. Fair chance you won't want the subs (especially if 100As) but you can try that out before selling your subs. I personally doubt the Directstream will do the job you want if used direct and comparing to your existing AR pre...but you can try. A select few DACs, including those mentioned here, give a speed and transparency/detail when used direct to active ATCs that is seductive, with little or no "digital glare" that is common in other DACs when used direct to amps...but that's not the norm for digital volume controls and it's also a matter of taste as a dedicated preamp adds a different type of benefit (musical/analog). Your AR pre, I'd think, is towards the other end of that scale: musical/analog over speed/detail. That's just my opinion but my advice would anyway be to keep your pre for now. Use it with/without subs to firstly decide if the subs add more than they subtract from the ATCs. Then experiment with various DACs direct (incl. your Directstream) to determine your preference on that matter. Cheers, John

Thanks for sharing that 👍

Well in that scenario you have actually done a listening test of the product in question and your observations should be respected.

A very real problem...for which I have no solution...is that there is a large number of forum members that stopped posting their listening impressions of cables and other devices/tweaks due to the inevitable responses. We are completely missing their input and that's a real bummer. Most members do aim for mutual respect and politeness but when one side's argument is effectively "you imagined it" and that gets repeated ad nauseam, then it's easy to understand if the other side is already a bit offended, regardless of the language used.

I agree...except that my first thought was to wonder about the test tracks being played. I think of a few of my favourite tracks that have more sibilance than I would like but my ATCs will simply reveal that and also the reveal lack of sibilance on other tracks. Regarding the bass, it is tight...comes and goes quickly...as it should IMO, providing the recording/mastering didn't alter that. Now that can lead some people to find ATCs a bit bass shy. "Too much harmonics"[in low end] makes me think that the opposite was experienced during this demo. Something in the recording or outside of the ATCs is my guess...but that's just IMO and YMMV etc. We all like what we like and don't need to justify that. Cheers, John

Glad I never had to choose between my wife and my ATCs. I would really, really miss her.

I think the term "bookshelf" confused some of us here; thought you were talking SCM 11s or 19 passives, which obviously have less bass than the higher models. "Classic" is the term for stand mount 50s and up. I spoke with ATC before upgrading my 100A Classics to 150As. They said there is no extra bass extension with Towers vs Classic. As @Tobes said, the working cabinet volume is the same. Indeed, ATC claim no sonic difference at all between Classic and Tower in the same range. I suppose some very minor difference is possible due to interaction with room but ATC suggested it is a purely aesthetic choice. I went with 150A towers anyway. The extra bass extension of my 150s compared to my 100s was quite obvious. This could potentially introduce more difficult issues with your room, I suppose. Cheers, John

Yes, the pricing on domestic versions has come down so I wouldn't expect that big a difference. You do pay a fair bit extra for the towers, special veneers and gloss finishes (as per Hi Fi show demo pair). ATC say they sound the same, though I can't rule out very minor differences. Apparently, the "effective internal volume" (I made that term up) is the same in towers vs Classic. I guess the towers have an extra cabinet section below. Both domestic models come with spikes, though no stands are included with Pro models. We recently got a new thread for ATC here; https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/292410-atc-speakers-owners-discussion-thread/?tab=comments#comment-4382482 I'm an ATC dealer. Cheers, John

Snakeoil operating system is a new software for your music server that allows ...even the computer/linux illiterate (like me)...to easily switch between different players and kernels to find the combo that best suits your system and your tastes. What is a kernel? Don't know, don't care? That is the point; with Snakeoil you don't need to understand linux, kernels etc. You simply use your browser to change settings that affect sound quality. Does it sound great? Well yes, actually but that is the wrong question. Snakeoil is not just one system and it doesn't claim to be the best. It is all about letting you switch between different types of sound within moments and from the comfort of your listening position. You decide what is best for you. This thread is explicitly for: -People to share their experiences of which Snakeoil settings they like best -People seeking help in getting started or using Snakeoil. -Following Snakeoil updates i.e. Snakeoil only. To download or get help from the developer (Agent Kith) himself, visit http://www.snakeoil-os.net/ Please, please, if you want to talk about hardware, different software or your own computer genius, choose another thread. Consider the Snakeoil users that want a reference resource without pages of tangents to sift through. Thank you.