Speaker choice : need help between Nola and Sonus Faber

Another option that images very well, is tube friendly, and probably slots somewhere between Nola and Totem in terms of treble detail is the Silverline Prelude Plus.  Not that it should mean much to you, but given your preferences (which seem similar to mine BTW) and equipment the one I'd be looking for over all these in this price range would be the Joseph Audio RM25XL, although they don't come up for sale too often.  Again, best of luck in your search. 

Thanks for the info.  Those Silverline Prelude Plus speakers certainly look interesting  . . 

Hi Zipline - Can’t help you at all on the Contender vs Venere but can tell you I recently purchased a pair of Silverline Prelude Plus speakers. I’ve been very pleased with them. I think they are crazy good for the price. I had/have a pair of Totem Forests that I’d been listening to since 2007. Was looking for a change...specifically, soft dome tweeter and higher efficiency to see if sonics with tube equipment might improve. The Preludes have been a very happy addition. They work very well with the EL34 mono blocks I run and also sound great with the Hegel H200 integrated I have. The Forests seem a better match for a Taranis Class D amp used with tube pre-amp (terrific bass). I do fully intend to go back to the Forests at some point - always nice to be able to change things up...but have been listening to the Preludes non-stop since getting them. Bass with the Preludes is VERY surprisingly deep, full and good. I might get a good subwoofer (or 2...SVS?) at some point but I think a sub is only significant for maybe 25% or less of what I listen to. I do agree with those that say a sub contributes more to good sound than just deeper bass, however. I dragged down an old AR HC6 HT sub and have been listening to that positioned mid way between the Silverlines. It’s turned down quite low on level but does improve things on some recordings. I don’t consider a sub essential for the Preludes but if you have one or were thinking to get one, it won’t hurt. Again, sound from the Preludes alone is very satisfying. The Preludes are phenomenal imagers and have a more forgiving top end than the Forests...I would not call them rolled off or especially "warm" sounding, however. They are nicely detailed. More so than the Forests, I think. Playing around with source, amplification (tube brand), cabling and positioning should let you "tune" the sound to what works for you. No regrets getting the Preludes (purchased without auditioning and a no return policy...always a gamble and not recommended).      I also very much love the Forests. Good luck in your search.

good to know about an experience with the silver line.  I think I am headed that direction