I'm powering my Cremona M's with a Reference 150. I'm also using the Reference 5SE and Reference CD9 player/DAC. It's fantastic. The strong points are 3-dimesional soundstaging, phenomenal low level resolution, pinpoint imaging, very smooth but very extended high frequencies, and, of course, midrange bloom. The electronics are also astonishingly quiet. I cannot hear even a trace of electronics hiss when I place my ear right up to the tweeter. I listen mostly to classical music and the acid test for me is massed strings. This system does it better than any I have heard. All the solid state amps I have tried have too much high-frequency edginess, which I'm very sensitive to.
Audio Research Reference 150 and Sonus Faber Cremona
How would this amplifier pair with my Cremonas, original floor standing model? Currently using Classe CA-M300 mono locks, but am tempted to try a tube power amplifier. Using ARC LS-27 preamp.
Cremona's are rated at 4Ohms but with a fairly hard to drive phase angle, so I'm not sure how well this tube amp will work. The Classes are rated 300/600 Watts into 8/4 Ohms
Cremona's are rated at 4Ohms but with a fairly hard to drive phase angle, so I'm not sure how well this tube amp will work. The Classes are rated 300/600 Watts into 8/4 Ohms