Sonus faber choices - help me decide


New Olympica Nova II or used Amati Futura? The Futuras will be $5,000 more, but they retailed for $38,000 when new vs $10,000 for the Novas. 

My 16’x24’ room is treated with GIK panels. I sit 9’ away from my B&W CDM 9NT towers now. I also have dual SVS PC2000 Pro subs.

Sources are mostly Tidal from a Node 2i through a DACMAGIC 200m.  I’m using a Denon x3700h as a preamp in a 7.2.4 configuration, with the LCR+surrounds driven by a Rotel 5x200 amp.

 

jwildcat89

Final update. I just talked to my local dealer. He has been selling Sf for years, and cautioned me against buying something as old as the Futuras. He actually gave me a deal. He is going to sell me the Nova V speakers at the same price I was going to pay for the Futuras. He says he has the newer Amati speakers at home, and the Novas are so close to them that he would have bought Novas if they were available when he bought the Amatis.

The only downside is that I have to wait for the Nova V's to come in. Fingers crossed it won't be months.

Please report your impressions on the V's after you get them (and after the burn in).

I don't know about the newer Amati speakers, but I can tell you there is a huge difference in scale between the Amati Futura and the Nova II. Nova V might be a different story, I don't know. But this came from the dealer selling the Nova's so should be taken with a grain of salt I think. Speaking of which, why more exactly did he caution you against buying "something as old as the Futuras"?

 

Post removed 

It's definitely going to be a while before they arrive. At minimum 6 weeks.

Point taken on the dealer trying to sell me on a product he carriers. However, his argument was that Sf has made enormous strides since the Futura line was available, and that this is reflected in the fantastic quality of the Nova line.

Also, based on feedback on this forum and elsewhere, I was already leaning toward sticking with the Novas. I envisioned having to spend much more money to upgrade my gear just to drive the Futuras properly. Less so with the Novas. Plus, I didn't want to get stuck with 125pd paperweights if something went wrong and I could not source a part for an older speaker.

Either way, I'm pleased with the outcome.