Amp for Sonus Faber

[TOM]

Hi all

 

After pulling my hair out with my current amp (Sony TA-FA3ES) and coming to the conclusion that is is need for repair, I've decided to get myself a replacement. I live in regional SA so demoing with my speaker setup is not possible. I'm going to go down the pre-owned path and I have found a few amps that are in my budget and one that pushes it. My speakers are the Sonus Faber Concerto's. The amps that I am considering are:

 

Primare A30.1 integrated

Rotel Michi RHB05 integrated

Yamaha A-S2000 integrated

Rotel RB-1552 MkII power (using my Eversolo A6 as preamp/source)

 

Are any of these amps a standout or any that should be avoided? My room is 100m2 FWIW.

 

Thanks for any advice.

[Neo]

Go and have a listen to these amplifiers, as a sure bet that you will be happy with the pairing. 
If you buying secondhand from here then good luck especially if you haven’t heard any of these on the list. 
We all hear differently and the suggestions are just that in that case. 
PS. Wouldn’t go for any with exception for the Yamaha but will need to hear the pairing first. 
Neo

Edited May 31, 2024 by Neo

[Antipodean Brad]

It would be helpful if you could confirm your budget and if you want an integrated or a power amplifier.

The Rotel RHB05 is a power amplifier, and although it was probably good it is now quite old.

The Primare is also quite old, and was replaced by the primare i30 which was decidedly better.

Your room is huge - how much of it do you use for listening?

I am sure that others who are more qualified than me will respond.

[TOM]

Thanks for the feedback. The room is certainly not ideal - open living lounge/kitchen/dining. I'm happy to go either route re. power vs integrated. I'd like to stick under $1200 if possible, the Yamaha that is available in my area is 50% more again. I am able to audition the amps, just not with my speakers. I thought the Michi looked good and is a power amp, not an integrated as I had previously stated. Any further comments on your preference for the Yamaha Neo, or why you have discounted the others?

[Neo]

Yamaha are great mid-fi (although at the time it was the top offering from Yamaha) amplifier especially the AS2000 which is fully balanced and an absolute marvel of engineering. With careful pairing it would be an absolute must. The rest as stated are much older and entry level especially rotel offerings. 
Grab the speakers or the amplifier and match them up even for 30min to hear the Yamaha. That is the best way to ho about things. 
Neo

Edited May 31, 2024 by Neo

[andyr]

  On 30/05/2024 at 11:03 PM, TOM said:

My speakers are the Sonus Faber Concertos. The amps that I am considering are:

 

Primare A30.1 integrated

Rotel Michi RHB05 integrated

Yamaha A-S2000 integrated

Rotel RB-1552 MkII power (using my Eversolo A6 as preamp/source)

 

Are any of these amps a standout or any that should be avoided? My room is 100m2 FWIW.

 

Thanks for any advice.

Expand  

 

The reviews I found of your SF Concertos suggested they need a very good amp, to deliver their best.  I would suggest the 3 integrateds you have named are not "very good" - merely average.

 

But as you also mentioned a Rotel power amp as another possibility ... I would recommend you consider some ss power amps which:

• are at least 100w into 8 ohms
• and at least 170w into 4 ohms.

There was an AKSA 'Maya' in the classifieds (200w / 350w) which would've been perfect ... but I believe it's already sold?  Hugh Dean's 'Titan' would also drive your Concertos well - as would a March Audio P422.

 

Of course, many other amps will certainly produce a sound from the Concertos ... but you will be wasting the money you paid for the spkrs (because they won't be delivering what they are capable of!   ).

 

[TOM]

Thanks guys, the Yamaha was the yamp that was a little above what I wanted to spend. Also thought that for the same budget, a Poweramp might give me better performance when you cap up to my ever solo. 

[Neo]

  On 31/05/2024 at 1:29 PM, TOM said:

Thanks guys, the Yamaha was the yamp that was a little above what I wanted to spend. Also thought that for the same budget, a Poweramp might give me better performance when you cap up to my ever solo. 

Expand  

Looks like you have your answer. Grab a power amplifier in your budget and happy listening. 
Neo

[TOM]

Thanks for your help guys, I think I'll spring for the Yamaha.