Integrated recommendation help


Please recommend integrated  for Sonus Faber Venere 2.5
128x128kielecki
I also forgot you may like to consider Pathos Conrad Johnson and Unison Research as a lot of SF owners seem to use those.

Cheers

Personally I would recommend the Rogers EHF-200(2) which I use with an old pair of Amator - but if budget is a consideration then go for Job Integrated (US$1700) --- can't be beat.

rbstehno, what DAC are you using with the H300, I haven't considered that, figuring the H300 DAC was a very good one, how would you describe the improvement? Is it an easy hook up? Thanks.
I have owned quite a few integrated amps during the past 20 years along with separates, ranging from the mcinstosh 6500, Lsa, rogue audio Cronus magnum, and the Hegel h100 and now the Hegel h300. The Hegel 300 is awesome and includes a decent dac if you don't have 1, I use an external dac. I had the factory change the ht bypass port to another RCA audio input. If you like tubes, the rogue Cronus magnum with the kt-120 tubes.
Post removed 
I second the Krell Vanguard.  It has large, detailed, listen-all-day presentation, tons of power, is compact, easy to place, and efficient.  The best integrated Krell has ever made.

Hi

You will no doubt get a lot of suggestions so I will add what I can

I have owned and used Sonus Faber speakers for about twenty years now currently I run Guarneri Homage the originals. My amp recommendations would be

David Berning ZH-270 ( My previous amplifier) A true classic and this amplifier was used by SF to voice the Stradavari I believe.

LSA Statement ( This is the amp I currently use )

Line Magnetic 519A could be worth a listen as could the Mactone which is used by a very knowledgeable and experienced audio friend who also runs Sonus Faber speakers.

Yes the Gryphon and Dartzeel amps are wonderful but I am not sure you need to spend that much money as if you do your speakers will likely become the weakest link.

Good luck


If you prefer SS gear, buy as good a Hegel integrated as you can afford.  I heard a three of them demonstrated, from the least to the more expensive at an audio show, and while the least expensive amp sounded gear, the two successive sounded increasingly better, with the H300 absolutely superb.  There are as neutral an amp as I have ever heard. 

Rotel is a Japanese company with designs made in England and has been manufactured in China for the longest time. They've always been upfront about it. 

All the best,
Nonoise

Have the new Rotel Intergrated RA-12 or try there new 120 watt amp . For the $$$ Can not go wrong . 5 year warranty ,
I love my Primaluna Premium Dialogue HP. A used one would likely fit your budget.
The Krell will be the foundation which you can expand upon!  Next is the source
I have been out of the game for few years, not using anything at this moment, years ago I had enlightened audio technology 
Post removed 
What aspects of sound reproduction are most important to you?  What are you currently using or what other integrateds have you heard?

Agree with Dave on the Krell Vanguard!  If you can find a nice used one, it's down right highway robbery.  Regards......

The Krell Vanguard is world class SS and a steal at list price but can be had for less from some dealers.  
A very good fit budget wise and system wise would be the Job integrated amp.  Please consider as this is the "everyman's" version of Goldmund products.  See jobsys.com.  Best wishes and happy listening!

Kielecki, I have owned the Peachtree Nova, Bel Canto, Hegel 300 and Hegel 160. The speakers I have are Joseph Audio RM25XL Mark 2, these speakers would be considered in the same range as yours.

The Peachtree was a nice warm sound with good imaging and depth but not near the Hegel level, which isn't surprising based on cost. I couldn't connect with the Class D Bel Canto, tried for months, finally went the Hegel route. The better your speakers the better the Hegel's sound. I demoed the Hegel 300 with a pair of Focal Sopra No.2, and it did everything I was used to but on a whole other level. Not just a step up but a major leap, what I am trying to say is the Hegel has many higher gears in it and would support speakers at 4 times it cost should you ever decide to go to a higher level speaker in the future, which I am now doing with the Focal's. Test the Hegel's they are really good, also plenty of reviews available. Just my opinion. Happy hunting.

I have a Bel Canto C5i and really enjoy it. I don't have Sonus Faber speakers, but my Golden Ear Triton 7s are similar in terms of sensitivity. The C5i is much more powerful sounding than its 60 watts a channel (8 ohms) would indicate. Power fully doubles at 4 ohms which indicates a good power supply. The sound is very smooth in the highs -- quite tubelike and extended -- and the bass is deep and solid. I have been very pleased with it. My only criticism is the display -- one would think in this modern age of electronics that they could do a little better than the green calculator digit display. However, it is a great amp for the money. 

In that price range, I would take a look at the Parasound HINT ($2,500) as it has nice power (John Curl design, too!) to drive your speakers and already has an excellent built-in DAC.

http://www.parasound.com/hint.php
would like to stay under 2-3 k
I was looking at belcanto integrated or mcintosh ( I know this is over my budget) , main source of music will be CD and Sonos (possibly DAC purchased later)
Now that I have that out of my system, paraneer is right, you have a nice set of speakers with lots of flexibility. In addition to your budget, it would be helpful if let us know what other components you intend to use (cd player, turntable, music server, etc), the size of your room and any shortcomings of your current system which makes you want a new integrated. Once we have that information, we can provide you with much more focused suggestions.
Post removed 
kielecki, I have Audio Analogue integrated amps to drive SF Venere 2.5s. I previously used AA Verdi 70 and now I use AA Maestro 70. Very happy with the sound. As paraneer said, with 6 Ohm impedance and 89dB sensitivity you have a wide set of options. It all depends on the sound signature you like. I had SFs driven with DK Design VS-1 MKII (150 @ 8Ohm) but the AA (70 @ 8Ohm) I feel is definitely a better combo. 

The AA units have a very sweet and mellow sound.

Good Luck with your search!!

You have a nice pair of speakers kielecki and at 6 ohms, 89db sensitivity, a very wide range of integrated amps will properly drive them.

So what is really needed here is budget in order to get a meaningful and realistic suggestion.  Or else you'll get recommendations for 20-45K amps like the ones above to drive your $2500 speakers. 

Without more information, I would recommend either the Gryphon Diablo 300 or darTZeel CTH-8550 without reservation.  Or, if you like tubes, an Audio Note Overture would work nicely.