LucasMaximus Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 (edited) Hi friends, I currently run a Denon PMA 1700ne integrated amp. It’s quite a powerful little amp had has even been reviewed to be able get quite a lot out of “hard to power” speakers. I am wanting to purchase a pair of ATC SCM11s. Knowing they are quite power hungry speakers, with their minimum rating starting at 75 watt, I am wandering if the Denon will be up to the task. Bearing in mind the Denon is an ultra high current amp which puts out 70watts at 8 ohms and 140w at 4ohms. I keep hearing the phrase “not all watts are the same” and am wandering if that would apply in this situation. I don’t need my neighbours down the street to hear me. I like listening at quiet to moderate levels (maybe a tad higher for a very small session when in the mood) and watch movies through the integrated amp. I will also be attaching a high level connection to my REL T5/X sub. Any input regarding the matching of these two would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Edited January 14 by LucasMaximus Fixing subwoofer name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tone Malone Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I hope someone out there can share their thoughts specifically on the Denon / ATC combo but I think it'd be a rare match (not to say it won't sound great). There's also the broader question of whether the Denon and ATC complement each other, to your ears. Are you be able to take your amp to an ATC dealer and trial it first hand, using one of their recommended amp "matches" for comparison? If your Denon is underpowered, it will probably sound pleasant but lack a bit of energy (potentially even at sensible listening levels). I know it's a pain, but it can safe a lot of purchasing regret ... ... Unless if course you've got your heart set on the ATCs and are willing to trade your amp as the next step. You certainly wouldn't be the first to find your dream speaker and then go down a rabbit hole retrofitting the right amp (I'm guilty as charged ) Good luck 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasMaximus Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 (edited) Thanks Tone, I figured it would be a pretty unusual match (possibly underpowered). I think I am going to sell my Denon to my old man (he’s in dire need of an upgrade anyway) and I’ve since bought myself a Roksan Blak integrated. I’d be interesting to hear what your thoughts are on that pairing, but form my reading I think they should be quite a nice match. Edited January 18 by LucasMaximus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 I think it would power them fine as long as you don't want rock concert levels. I think it's more of a case of do the pair gel well. It would be interesting if you could hear the pair together and see what you think. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 On 14/01/2024 at 7:58 PM, LucasMaximus said: Any input regarding the matching of these two would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Don't forget, in terms of "is this a good amp" for a pair of spkrs - there are 3 levels of 'goodness': it produces a pleasant sound (ie. not obviously clipping) it drives them well, and it brings out the best in the spkrs. There's quite a jump between #3 & #2 - just as there is between #2 and #1. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irek Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 Take your amp to audition speakers. Although if you like to play very loud , than you should consider speakers with higher sensitivity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POV Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 (edited) I do not have direct experience with this amplifier and speaker combo, but in terms of power and current your amplifier will be more than sufficient. I’m not too sure how you concluded that these are ‘power hungry’ but there’s nothing in the measurements that really draws that out. All speakers like power, but your Denon integrated is a relatively powerful amplifier, with a very well designed power supply! The current generation of Denon hi-fi amps don’t get the credit they deserve imo, probably mainly due to Denon being discounted on brand as people in this price range typically tend to lean towards hi-fi specialist brands rather than consumer brands. I have a couple of mates running either the 1700 or its bigger brother and I have been very impressed with the sound quality and power available from these amps. I am very confident that your amplifier will have plenty of power and current available for the ATCs you are looking at, so it’s just a matter of whether or not you like the sound of this pairing, and that friend is matter entirely for you to decide! Have fun! https://www.stereophile.com/content/atc-scm-11-loudspeaker-measurements Edited January 20 by POV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasMaximus Posted January 22 Author Share Posted January 22 I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond. POV, thanks for the first hand insight into the Denon amp! Much appreciated, always good to find someone who knows the machine. It’s a beautiful amp. What ended up happening is I helped my old man sell a bunch of old hifi gear he had sitting around the place and so he wanted to buy the Denon off me to pair with some Krix Pheonix speakers in Atlantic Jarrah that I bought for him a few years ago. Then I went out and bought a Roksan Blak that was basically brand new for a super cheap price. I wasn’t able to audition any because they have stopped producing that model now. It’s one gorgeous looking amp though IMO and I have no doubt this time round it’ll power the ATCs. Now just the painful wait, staring at this amp, while I wait for the ATCs to arrive… Thanks again fellas. Been a member on hear for years but pretty sure this was my first post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasMaximus Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 Thanks all for shared their input. First time testing the Roksan Blak out with the ATC SCM 11s this afternoon. All I can say is “wow” what a great match. Streaming tidal via my laptop into the USB DAC in the back of the Blak. I highly rate this receiver (it’s not in production anymore anyway) and these ATC speakers. The REL sub works very well with them. The Denon 1700 I ended up selling to my father is a fantastic amp too. I would highly recommend that amp as a budget audiophile integrated amp. It would no doubt benefit a great deal used with a separate high grade DAC. Thanks again for those that shared their input. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tone Malone Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 Congratulations and thanks for sharing your findings. It's always good to add to the bank of amp-speaker combinations that can work well together. Enjoy the new combo! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 17 hours ago, LucasMaximus said: the Blak. I highly rate this receiver (it’s not in production anymore anyway Glad it is working well. I should add that I did not know that the Blak series had a receiver, so that's something I have learned to day. Happy listening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 2 hours ago, rantan said: Glad it is working well. I should add that I did not know that the Blak series had a receiver, so that's something I have learned to day. Happy listening. I think because it has Bluetooth it "can" be classed as a receiver. But Roksan refer to this as an integrated amplifier, so not traditional radio onboard which would make it and outright "receiver" 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasMaximus Posted February 8 Author Share Posted February 8 6 hours ago, rantan said: Glad it is working well. I should add that I did not know that the Blak series had a receiver, so that's something I have learned to day. Happy listening. I’m probably guiltily of using those terms interchangeably when not appropriate as well. Its proper name is the Roksan Blak Integrated Amplifier. After talking to a few reps, it sounds like “unofficially” they know there is most likely going to be a new Roksan amp released in Germany this year at the HiFi show. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasMaximus Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 The Roksan Blak / ATC SCM11 setup Speakers are isolated using silicon gel shoe insert pads (my go to cheap DIY isolators). MacBook Pro straight into the back of the Blak’s USB DAC. Streaming using Deezer Premium. Sounds unreal for a lounge room setup. WiiM Pro for less serious listening, TV and movies. any recommendations for upgrades/tweaks welcomed! cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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