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Cary 805 questions; with Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers

I just bought a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers (92 dB efficient but some impedance dips in bass and treble). Looking for a good tube amplifier. I use a Thor TA-1000 preamp and listen to mostly vinyl (Sota Star Sapphire, Koetsu Rosewood Signature. Half jazz, the rest split between blues, classical and rock. I am quite allergic to any treble brightness but appreciate treble extension if it doesn't create fatigue. That said, I prioritize a rich, real midrange, and like a somewhat laid back stage perspective.

Stereophile described the Amati load as "The speaker is a moderately demanding load, however, as can be seen from its plots of impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle against frequency (figs.1 and 2). With a maximum of 7.8 ohms, but a value below 6 ohms in the midrange and below 4 ohms in the bass and high treble, a good 4 ohm-rated amplifier will be called for."

I appreciate any thoughts about other tube amps that might be good with the Amati's. Also I have questions about Cary 805 monos in particular because I have a chance to buy a pair locally:

1. Do the 805s have a forward presentation?
2. Do the 805 create "larger than life" images? I owned them for a short time quite a while ago and recollect that images were very big.
3. Does anyone know if they would work well with the Amatis?

thanks for any thoughts!
montaldo

Showing 4 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
George I think we are ships passing in the night. I will stop trying to rephrase my question. Thanks for your time anyway!
Well maybe the only way is to ask me if I believe in voodoo, the answer I’m proud to say is an emphatic no!

I know you wish your 805’s could, but I’ve owned 805 monoblock’s I know what they are capable of and measure like, and with this SF speaker load they would act like a tone control, they would be "listenable" but not capable of giving what those SF are really able to give to you!

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
What I was asking is whether in 100% of the cases an apparent mismatch in impedance and Power between amp and speakers results in degradation of the musical experience.
It can very well be regarded as a degradation, but it's not the only one that one should point a finger at, there are many more one should consider.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Does the math ever not manifest in overall presentation? Is this really an open and shut case?
The math and the measurements are primary feature in the design of any amp, then the designer listens to his creation. And if not happy, they go back and change things in the design, but never without math and measure again and listen again.
If math and measurements were not considered in the design of an amp, I suggest you give that amp a very wide berth, like you would with any voodoo.

Cheers George  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Cary 805 questions; with Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers


Sorry montaldo never, not in anyones lifetime, with this SF’s impedance curve. You’ll have very little bass power, and a very peaked up upperbass and mid.
https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/Sfafig02.jpg

And this is the Cary’s response into 8 and 4ohm restive loads from it’s two taps, can you imagine what those 2ohm dips of the SF’s would do on top of this!!! The amps are already tone controls into 4 or 8 ohm resistors, let alone into this speakers impedance curve
https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/Cary805FIG01.jpg

Cheers George
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