Thanks for the post- I am really looking forward to simplify my desktop system with the 8320 and 7350 sub.

Hi Pete - Have you looked into ATC powered speakers and how would you compare them to Genelec? The reason I ask is because I was looking into Genelec speakers based on your high recommendation, and a friend of mine highly recommended ATC as well (as a solid competitor).

Hey Chris, sorry I missed your question. You posted just as I embarked on this years 3 1/2 months sailing the south Caribbean :-) No, I have only looked at ATC briefly years back, but they missed way too many of my "accept the laws of physics" & or "get the most out of going digital" boxes. I'm sure ATC's are fine in the perfectly dampened rooms (low RT60 at all freq) and build into the walls as they are designed to be. Serious competitors to Genelec I have tested and recognize and recommend listening to: [URL="http://www.dynaudio.com/professional-audio/discontinued/"]- Dynaudio Air series incl. subs[/URL] - Discontinued :-( - [URL="http://www.lyngdorf.com/"]Lyngdorf Audio[/URL] - origin of digital amplification and RoomPerfect # [URL="http://www.steinwaylyngdorf.com/en/products/speaker-series/model-s"]- Steinway Lyngdorf Series Model S or higher[/URL] ## # The Millennium Mk4 is one of the few amps that has the grunt to make a B&W 900 Diamond sing. It's actually a power DAC including a complete digital control center replacing DAC, equalizer, pre-amp, and power amp. It can even deliver digital X-over to build a true active setup if you combine multiple units. ## SL Model S is an unrecognized gem, even at USD 25.000,- They win in clarity/air/detail and WAF over my 8260's but somehow loose on SPL and double price. The larger models are best suited for oil sheiks and oligarks ;-) The digital amps can be used like the Lyngdorf Millennium Mk4. I had hoped the list would be significantly longer by now, but I suppose: a) Integrated digital systems are still scary b) Audiophiles still don't recognize the value for money in pro systems c) Audiophile brands like Linn are not ready to go all in b) My hunger for chasing new solutions have dwindled Sorry, but Genelec and SL are the only ones AFAIK that fits my softspot atm.

My unofficial deep source at Dynaudio has these comments: The Air series got phased out as Music Group acquired TC Electronics (supplier of the electronics for Air series). Dynaudio are currently developing new digital pro and consumer monitor series with DSP room compensation, but deadline is not known at this time. IFAIK Dynaudio hired quite some people to work on the new digital lines.

Excellent.

I too am a Genelec fan since I was first introduced to them when I worked at Dolby Laboratories here in San Francisco. That was when I first began to understand some of the fundamental differences in the professional vs consumer audio worlds but that is discussed in another thread . . . Regarding ATC I share Chris's curiosity about these speakers. It is important to understand that ATC is first and foremost a driver/transducer designer and manufacturer that also builds complete speaker systems much like Dynaudio. (Genelec are extremely well engineered and designed but Genelec does not design all of their own drivers - many of them are OEM'ed). ATC founder Billy Goodman is a luminary in the audio engineering world with a Masters in Applied Acoustics - his designs for tweeters, woofers and especially the 3" soft-dome mid-range are used on many many brands of loudspeakers including of course his own (ATC). Here is a good bio : [url]http://studio-hifi.com/images/ATC%20Founder%20Billy%20Woodman.pdf[/url] ATC are very well regarded in professional circles (recording artists, film and recording studios) all of which are Genelec strongholds. A few examples from the ATC brag page: Pink Floyd, Mark Knopler, Sting, Rolling Stones, Jack White, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Royal Opera House, and the BBC. Complete list here: [url]http://atcloudspeakers.co.uk/client-list/[/url] I have not been able to personally audition ATC monitors but with the strong technical engineering chops of designing their own drivers along with the star studded list of clients makes me very curious about them.

Pete, my first post with you. It's an honor.

A good read. Thank you for taking the time.

I've always been into high gear. Not extravagant $1,000-cables-high-gear, but solid, bang for the buck equipment. At first, I’d harvest from amongst the garden varieties of the consumer audio market, but that all changed once I’d dabbled with the music industry and consequently discovered the neutral sound of the reference monitors.

Fast forward to the present, and my living room boasts 8431 x 2 + 7360 x 2. There's a lot to share on the logic behind my choices, but for brevity’s sakes I'll report the sound is hands down fantastic. The imaging and clarity are astounding. The value, too, is exceptional: it would cost manifold to attain that level of SQ with consumer equipment, if at all, since that “one source” design is quite unique.

A lot of audiophiles would frown. As you pointed out, they require full control over the sound reproduction, visa-via choices or gear; and the look isn't fancy enough for their environments. Their lose...LOL

Now, if you permit me to pick your brain:

(1)

Am I to understand it's possible to feed the Genelec with SPDIF signal without an AES convertor (e.g., that Hosa box) by only bumping the Ohms to 110 with a Neutrik like in-line convertor? 

(2)

My source is an Astell&Kern sp1000, which I connect analogy. There’s an optical port, but A&K doesn’t wholeheartedly endorse using it. According to the firm, to benefit from all the processing power of the device, the signal must take the analog route. Going out digitally will delegate the sound processing, and consequently its signature, to Genelec.

The price to pay, of course, is the A2D conversation inside the Genelec system.

Given the above, do you think I would detect any difference between my current setup and a digital one? For the better? Worse?