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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?
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The Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers are very nice speakers. You really want around 100 wpc in a tube amp. I know they are 92db. I have Sonus Faber Elipsa SE and use a Ref 110. If you don't have enough power the bass and sound stage can suffer. With less power, the bass of my Elipsa SE sounds less defined and not as crisp.
You really need to just borrow a few different amps from a dealer and spend a few weekends comparing. The usual paring with Sonus Faber are Audio Research or McIntosh. But I am sure there are others brands that will work just as well.
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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. |
Mac 275? Is that the likely suspect? If so I've heard mixed things about certain versions... any special version you would recommend?
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Depending on budget, perhaps consider the Jadis line...the JA80mk2 or the JA200mk2. I utilize the smaller JA30mk2 with my SFGH’s and I think it is a superb match. |
I used to have ja-30... They are fantastic. Thanks for the idea. |
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 |
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?
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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 |
George I think we are ships passing in the night. I will stop trying to rephrase my question. Thanks for your time anyway! |
"...I wondered whether what is expected by the numbers always manifests itself the way you might expect, in the reproduction of actual music. "
Quick answer is no. Measurements are not always an (only) indicator of how the "system" will sound. Might be a good starting point but you need to listen and trust your ears. A McIntosh MC275 VI paired with a good tube preamp, McIntosh or otherwise, will probably sound much better than the aforementioned Cary.
I've heard a couple of different Sonus Faber large floor standing models paired with Pass XA100.5 amplifiers and they sounded fantastic. I think they were using an Aesthetix preamp, not sure which model. |
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 |
Montlado... Cary 805 will work at a listenable level. Small room moderate level will be good. Midrange will be seductive and the highs will not be too edgy. The concerns here is the bass, the 805 can not control the bass drivers.
My recommendation is either the old Conrad Johnson premier 8 with 6550 tubes, or the new lp250 by CJ. You can also look into the Vac 200-300. Sonus Faber great match for push and pull tube amps or solid states. Single ended will not quite move those drivers. Happy Listening!
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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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Not certain if this will help, given the impedance swings of the Amatis, but- you might contact Speltz, or Ralph Karsten(of Atma-Sphere) and inquire. Ralph used to offer a transformer, in his product line-up. http://www.zeroimpedance.com/products.html As far as a, "rich" midrange: just pick some NOS British valves(Mullard, Brimar, Ediswan) to use in your input/driver stage, whatever tubed amp you choose. Generally speaking, they tend to warm things up, quite a bit. The Cary 805's have 4, 8 and 16 Ohm taps and at 50 WPC, you may find a sweet spot to satisfy your tastes(if you're not into high SPLs). |
