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Good match with Sonus Faber Grand Pianos

Here is my current set-up:

Sonus Faber Grand Pianos (original version)
Linn Lk-140 amp
Linn K-400 bi-wire speaker cable
Linn Cinema Classik Source
Not set on ICs yet – think of Blue Haven or Red Dawn, but open to suggestions

I’m not sure if I need more power for these speakers. I plan to eventually sell the Cinema Classik although it is doing good double duty as a CD and DVD source. I’ve considered going tubes but my understanding is that I would have to get a pretty high powered tube amp so I might just go tube pre and keep with a SS amp. I eventually want to go to a Supratek Chennin but am holding off until I work up a good turntable project.

I need advice on the amp side or integrated amp side. Would I be better off adding an addition Lk-140 and biamping and then purchasing the pre-amp later along with a turntable? My other option would be to pick up a Simaudio I5 and a new digital source. This would require some more work on the phono side as the I5 doesn’t have a phono pre – also not sure if the total cost would be worth it. I would also have to change my speaker cables around but this wouldn’t be too tough.

I listen to jazz, reggae, rock, funk, blue grass, etc.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Kindest regards,
Erik
erik_tolzmann
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Hgeifman,
I also have the SF Grand Pianos, and they are powered by a 55 wpc Sonic Frontiers tube amplifier. I think the sound is pretty darn good. On what do you base your statement that these speakers need a lot of power? And how much power? Do you think I would benefit greatly from additional power? Curious.

Cheers
hgeifman
2,249 posts
 
I switched from a 50wpc BOW Wazoo Integrated to the 200 wpc McIntosh MA6900 Integrated amp. Based on my conditions, my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Speakers sounded much better with the increased power. The bass was better and the overall sound quality was excellent to my ears (and several of my friends). Of course, it could of also been that the McIntosh integrated was better than the BOW Wazoo. My only point is you should listen to your speakers with several different amplifiers and make your own decision.
ryder
1,690 posts
 
Same old replies from SF Grand Piano owners and I'll add one here myself. I own the GP's and have upgraded my amplification a couple of times before settling for the PLinius SA-100MkIII. I have used a Classe CAP-100 and ARC D130 on the GP's and they never sounded alive until I got the high-current Plinius. I would strongly urge you to get a considerably powerful amp to drive the GP's as they would definitely benefit from the increased power. I have never tried tube amps on the GP's but heard that they sound pretty darn good on them, but just make sure you feed the GP's with ample power.
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I would backup your idea of bi-amping the SFs, you have a Linn based system, once you invite a new member to your rack you may need to change the rest of the components, avoid getting there IMO.

Fernando
keith_316
18 posts
 
I too own Sonus GP's, and found that more power is the way to go. When I first got into the high end audio market I powered my GP's with a rotel 1080 rated at 200 wpc. after a while i wanted and realized my speakers needed more power. I went with two classe ca-101's, and i run them as mono amps. According to the spec sheets, the amps are giving the GP's approx 500 wpc.......and I must say it was a HUGE improvement over what I was use to hearing. Much more detail, tighter sound, extended base, and bigger soundstage. That is my 2 cents worth of advice. Good luck to you with this.
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