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NO listening sessions posible , bookshelf for a Raven Nighthawk

I have never listening to tube gear until I recently heard a prima Luna  pre amp  hooked to a McIntosh  Mc.252 amplifier ,  I like the sound much better than the same set up with  a ss  McIntosh pream.  ( C42) . So now I  would like to buy a  Raven Nighthawk III integrated amplifier  to use  it  at my office , the space is  3.5  x  4.5 mts,  with a  bookshelf full of books on the back wall . The music I like is  mostly classical and  Jazz , I am looking for non fatiguing sound , warm and not to analytic.  Life is full of compromises  and  unfortunately there is no hifi dealers nearby and  I cannot spent a lot of time looking for  “perfect sound,".  Given that  I need a good pair of bookshelf speakers with sensitivity of  at least 88 db  that  matches the amp.  Budget  around $4.000,  with not only SQ but an appearance to mach  and reliability  .  So far I have on my list :  Tannoy mini anniversary .  Triangle  comete 40 th anniversary ,  Omega  super alnico monitor,  Fritz carrera Be ,  Sonus Faber sonetto II  ; Salk Silk AT monitors  and  Exotica monitor  ( humm  too expensive but gorgeous ),  I am open to more suggestions,  would you help me with  your advice   ?  
128x128vinylnostalgic
charles7
112 posts
 
I have similar taste and room dimensions. This setup has me happy:
  * Quicksilver Integrated tube amplifier. Also rated 20 wpc and is more than hefty enough to drive the speakers. Less expensive than the Raven Nighthawk, solid construction, designed and built by Mike Sanders.
  * Focal Aria 906 speakers. Rated 89.5 dB sensitivity. For moderate to moderate-low volume, I rarely have the amp volume control above 10:30 o'clock.
Musical plus plenty of detail.

vinylnostalgic's avatar
vinylnostalgic OP
28 posts
 
Thanks charles7 ; I have not considered  the Focal 906 until now ;  how do you describe the SOUND with the focal?
woots's avatar
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woots
312 posts
 
I recently purchased the Sonus Faber Sonetto II's and all I can say is WOW!  For such a small speaker it really does over deliver your expectations. I, too, like you, was unable to audition and went with a dealer recommendation and am beyond thrilled with the performance. This was the first pair of speakers I purchased without auditioning. The bass is one of the things that impresses me the most.  Also, the unique cabinet design adds to the bass performance.  There is a front port that pushes air beyond expectations so you can place close to the wall. I went with the white color that matches my bookcases and use without the black grills. 
dcevans
180 posts
 
I second the front ported 8 ohm Focal Aria 906.  I would not pair that great tube integrated amp with a 4 ohm speaker period. The amp will take away the brightness of the tweeter. Great pairing for that medium-sized room. 
dcevans
180 posts
 
I know that Raven pairs the Avian series integrated amps with their own Celeste, a 4 ohm speaker with higher sensitivity of I believe 90 dB/1 m, and supposedly it is a great pairing. They claim the high current of the amp can drive speakers with a sensitivity of 85 dB/1 m ... so maybe you can get away with the Sonetto. You definitely need a front ported or sealed speaker. Sonus Faber in general tend to be tipped to the yin (warmer in presentation) I believe, and paired with a tube integrated might be too much of a good thing. If you cannot listen to the speakers, the Focal to me seems like a much safer bet. 
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