2. amps-preamps
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Which Amplifier for Sonus Faber Olympica 3 Speaker

I own a pair of SF Olympica 3 speakers and have narrowed my choices to 2 amplifiers. My tastes lean toward the warmer richer side of the fence. The Hegel 300 or 1 of the LFD amplifiers. On 1 hand the LFD is lower power but quite balanced. The Hegel is approximately the same price but has 250 wats of power plus a built-in DAC. My speakers rquire some power at 90DB efficient but its a 4 ohm load. I have heard the Hegel but with Magico speakers. It sounded good with nice detail and never tipped over the edge. The LFD is playing on my speakers now but drawing comparisons is difficult given different speakers. Any thoughts re these 2 amplifiers is most welcome.
frontier1
sp25's avatar
sp25
2 posts
 
I have a Simaudio Moon 700i integrated amplifier. I intend buying a pair of O3s in the near future and it was reassuring to see Georgelofi's post confirming my thought that they should work well. In fact they do, as I managed to get to hear the two together at a dealer.
markmendenhall
223 posts
 
Old post, but fwiw, I just paired my SF O3's with a Pass Labs X150.8 stereo amp.  This amp elicits more out of the speakers top to bottom than any other amps I've tried.  Excellent match.  Sorry for being a bit sideways of the specific question above.  

miner42
709 posts
 
What is your budget for the amp?
nightfall
188 posts
 
I'm now in the same position as the OP, having just purchased a pair of new Olympica 3's, on a great, year end deal from a dealer that badly needed to move some product. So now I need an amp too. 

markmendenhall, can you describe a bit more about the sound you got from the X150.08 with your O3's? My understanding is that the Pass 08 series is more dynamic and  palpable than the Pass 05 Series, but lacks the richness and fluidity of the 05 series midrange.
markmendenhall
223 posts
 
Nightfall

This is my first Pass amp so I can't compare the .5 vs the .8 series.  Mark at Reno HiFi is a good source to consult with.  I find nothing lacking in my .8 amp.  Better bass than the A21 or Bel Canto REF 1000M monos.  SET like mids, huge soundstage, delicate and extended highs. I'm investing in additional power supplies for my pre amps at this time.  I think my amp cravings have been satisfied with the Pass X150.8.  
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