Need integrated amp for Sonus Faber Concertos


I JUST BOUGHT A NEW PAIR OF SONUS FABER CONCERTOS AND I AM LOOKING FOR AN INTEGRATED AMP TO RUN THEM. MY BUDGET IS FROM $1000 TO $1200 FOR A USED ONE. MY CD PLAYER IS A REGA PLANET, AND i LISTED TO DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSIC INCLUDING JAZZ, CLASICAL AND SOME ROCK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.
rcoppel
Musical Fidelity A3
Rega Mira
Creek 5350SE
Arcam A32
Linn Majik

I would stay away from the Rotel integrateds and also the NAD integrateds. That's my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree with me. I heard the Creek last weekend, very nice. I think it would make a nice match. I think you can pick one up at about 1200 used. The only thing about Linn is that I have herad most people say once you go Linn, you never go back. And their stuff can start to get quite pricey.
does anybody have experience with this combo,Conrad Johnson Sonographe SA-250 & SC-26, will they work good with sonus faber speakers. because i am getting a very good deal ($1330 for both new) on this equipment.
thanks
Definately add the YBA Integre or Integre DT to your list. Beautiful sounding integrateds! With the Concertos and the planet, this might be a great choice. Listen first of course and bring your own cables and interconnects if you can't demo at home.
Hello. I used to own Sonus Faber Concertinos and drove them with a Simaudio Moon I-5. It was a pretty good combo. The Concertinos are full and warm and seemed to compliment the lean nature of the I-5, so that the overall balance wasn't to far in either direction. Good source and cable matching is a must.
I have just completed what you are beginning. With the same taste in music and similar speakers, the SF Concertinos. I am not going to tell you what I chose. It is important that you discover your own listening. But, I will tell you what I believe to be great candidates:
Arcam 85A
Classe CAP 151
Music Fidelity 300
Electrocompaniet EI3 (one presently going for 1,300 on site)
SimAudio I-5
YBA Integre DT

IMPORTANT NOTE: These models are the latest versions and they are going to exceed your budget. But, it is probably the only way you will be able audition them unless a friend has the earlier model. That is what you want to go after when your ears have made their decision. For example, the Classe CAP 151, changed very little since its predecessor highly touted 150. Each of the Int's will bring a different quality/dynamic to your ears and your music. Much will be influenced by the interconnects and cables that are used. Try to have the store where you audition replicate your speakers as much as possible. WARNING: DO NOT BUY ON HERESAY. Good Luck...Happy Hunting.
Here is an example of what I meant by finding a earlier model year. This is a YBA Integre DT with remote whose essential design and circuitry has not changed since it first came out in 1997. The current price for it would be 2650 new... but here 1998 model in excellent condition is within your budget. Mind you should spend time listening and auditioning to ints before you buy. Hot deals come up all the time if you are patient.

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstran&1023125139
I have the Concertino.... A contact at Sumiko Audio who distributes Sonus Faber recommended the following... YBA Integre DT and the Classe CAP 150 (Earlier but same as the current 151). You should also listen to the SimAudio I-5 and the Music Fidelity A300.... it might be possible to get them for 1200 used on Audiogon. I went with the YBA myself... and while it is only 50Watts... 50 Watts like you have never heard. ..it is awesome with the Sonus Fabers. I was also extremely impressed with the Classe and the SimAudio. The Sim is very powerful. Good luck.
For the Concertino, you don't need an amp with huge power... You need an amp with that able to deliver precise, uncolored signal... My friend uses the grand piano (larger model) with a YBA integre DT and he's really happy.
YBA Integre DT is the integrated way to go. Buy it used and you will be able to stay with-in your budget. You'll never hear 50 watts sound better for the money and even for a lot more money. This is one killer integrated. I own it and adore it.
I vote for the Musical Fidelity.I own the A3,and just compared it to the McCormack DNA Deluxe in my house.I sold the McCormack.
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I have the Concertos with Classe CAP 150 integrated and CAL CL 10. The combination is very round and pure. Only thing about the Concertos is that they like a lot of power. Thankfully, the Classe has it to spare.

I was dead set on Arcam FMJ great quality until I A/B'd with the Classe in sound room.

The classe was infinitely warmer and rounder to my ears.
I am extremely happy with the pairing.

Only thing I wonder about is why I have never seen a review of my Classe Integrated (not that i don't trust my own ears.....)
Another option might be a Densen B100. They're hard to find in the US, but very popular in Europe.
If you could find a used Lavardin it would also be very good.
Second the YBA DT Integre recommendation. I have both a single transform and DT that I used with the smaller Concertinos. The single transform was not enough.