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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 7 responses by montaldo

montaldo OP
203 posts
 
Wow thanks George. The gentleman I bought the Amati's from used it will 805s for 20 years. But maybe he just couldn't hear the problems.

Does the math ever not manifest in overall presentation? Is this really an open and shut case?

montaldo OP
203 posts
 
Thanks lostbears. I am okay with the bass being a tad flabby so I don't mind using less power. My priority is avoiding any etch/brightness, and having a relatively rich balance with a weighty midrange. 

George's point about impedance mismatch was certainly true of my current amp, a VAC Renaissance 30/30 Signature. I love this amp and think it is one of the best anywhere, but with this particular speaker the treble just did not work... beaming/shouty treble in the 2500-4000 hz range. But the bass is fine for me. So I am hunting for a new amp.
montaldo OP
203 posts
 
Mac 275? Is that the likely suspect? If so I've heard mixed things about certain versions... any special version you would recommend?
montaldo OP
203 posts
 
I used to have ja-30...  They are fantastic. Thanks for the idea.
montaldo OP
203 posts
 

That's not quite what I meant George. 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. I realize that speaker design is a combination of engineering and art and that we cannot ignore the math... but I wondered whether what is expected by the numbers always manifests itself the way you might expect, in the reproduction of actual music. Or are the numbers simply strong indicators but there are exceptions?
montaldo OP
203 posts
 
George I think we are ships passing in the night. I will stop trying to rephrase my question. Thanks for your time anyway!
montaldo OP
203 posts
 
Thanks zipost. I appreciate your specifics. Perfect bass is less of a priority for me so we will see. Luckily I have not bought the Cary's yet so I get a free listen ;)  If they don't work I will look at more beefy push pull designs.


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