Amplifiers for Reference Sonus Faber speakers

[eagle]

Wondering what experience SNA members have had with the best matching amplifiers for the Reference Series Sonus Faber speaker range? Referring to models such as IL Cremonese (I own these), Lilium and Aida. 

 

Also be interesting experiences with the new Tradition range Amati or the older Amati models.

 

My view is the modern Sonus Faber sound, with the right matching electronics, are a far cry from the older SF sound that I personally was never a big fan of although I respect and understand why others would like it.

 

So far I’ve tried McIntosh 611, Bakoon, Audia Flight Strumento (I own both the stereo amp and preamp), Pass Labs.

Also have a Audio Research Ref 6 that I like for different reasons.

 

As always, personal preference and room are big factors but as there is little opportunity in the West to demo gear, one is often left buying blind and hoping it works.

 

User experiences are always helpful and more valuable to me then reviews as I have little faith in most of them.

[Al.M]

Tried several SF with high powered Hypex amps and they were very good.

 

I’m not really convinced that their driver design choice in recent years to go in-house vs using potentially higher quality Scanspeak and other driver makes is a good one, certainly would save costs and maybe to consumer but prices don’t seem to reflect this.

 

The older SF speakers like the Amit used some top line at the time Scanspeak drivers and now it’s hard to tell what is behind them. The sound of older Amati was not that great to me despite the good drivers. The new lineups sound good enough though but their driver tech look average to me (paper cone units and conventional tweeter domes) compared to the likes of Magico, Wilson, Yamaha NS5000, B&W etc if that means anything as final sound result is the main thing if one is happy.

Edited November 9, 2020 by Al.M

[sir sanders zingmore]

I heard some SFs with Karan amps, that was a very nice sound

[gypr1961]

I went through a good half dozen Amps before I settled on a lavardin. Lowest powered out of all of them but drives my Olympics iii better than anything else I tried

[sir sanders zingmore]

The Ayre in the classifieds is certainly worth considering too

 

 

[eagle]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Regarding driver technology, I’ll leave that to people better qualified then me. Personally I couldn’t care less, it’s what the end result sounds like that is most important to me. I owned B&W 800D3 and thought they were a nice speaker too.

 

Not really in the market to buy anything as very happy with my current setup but like most of us here, always thinking of what might be better:)

 

Ayre was one I had looked at previously and respect that brand as have heard it with B&W’s and thought it was excellent.

 

Lavardin and Hypex I don’t know much about but will check them out.

 

My personal view is neutrality is the go with SF speakers, including cables and front end.

 

Boulder is another one I think would be a good match but never heard one so only going on feedback from end users.

[eagle]

Have also been told by a few others that Karan amplifiers are very good.

[Bunno77]

With the Liliums I preferred the Plinius SA Ref over McIntosh MC452 and MC601, Audio Research Ref 250s and Devialet 400 but I usually preferred the Plinius with every speaker I put it on.