Good match with Sonus Faber Grand Pianos


Here is my current set-up:

Sonus Faber Grand Pianos (original version)
Linn Lk-140 amp
Linn K-400 bi-wire speaker cable
Linn Cinema Classik Source
Not set on ICs yet – think of Blue Haven or Red Dawn, but open to suggestions

I’m not sure if I need more power for these speakers. I plan to eventually sell the Cinema Classik although it is doing good double duty as a CD and DVD source. I’ve considered going tubes but my understanding is that I would have to get a pretty high powered tube amp so I might just go tube pre and keep with a SS amp. I eventually want to go to a Supratek Chennin but am holding off until I work up a good turntable project.

I need advice on the amp side or integrated amp side. Would I be better off adding an addition Lk-140 and biamping and then purchasing the pre-amp later along with a turntable? My other option would be to pick up a Simaudio I5 and a new digital source. This would require some more work on the phono side as the I5 doesn’t have a phono pre – also not sure if the total cost would be worth it. I would also have to change my speaker cables around but this wouldn’t be too tough.

I listen to jazz, reggae, rock, funk, blue grass, etc.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Erik
erik_tolzmann

Showing 4 responses by tfkaudio

Hgeifman,
I also have the SF Grand Pianos, and they are powered by a 55 wpc Sonic Frontiers tube amplifier. I think the sound is pretty darn good. On what do you base your statement that these speakers need a lot of power? And how much power? Do you think I would benefit greatly from additional power? Curious.

Cheers
Keith_316,
I have a rather naive question. The GPs recommend 50-250 watts power in the owners manual. Do you worry (does anybody worry?) about going at twice the recommended power? Just curious.
Just as a follow-up... I switched from a 55wpc amp to an 110wpc amp with the Sonus Fabers. BIG difference for the better. Much better control over the speakers.
The_kid is right. 90db @ 6ohms. And my 55wpc amp did sound very good. I've learned, however, that input sensitivity ratings are not necessarily a good indicator that the speakers will be well-served by lower-power amps. Consider this... I have 5wpc S.E.T. amp. I can't even move the drivers on the GPs, but I can play my Paradigm Studio Reference 60's magnificently with it. Both are 90db.

Cheers.