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Cary 805 questions; with Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers

I just bought a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Homage speakers (92 dB efficient but some impedance dips in bass and treble). Looking for a good tube amplifier. I use a Thor TA-1000 preamp and listen to mostly vinyl (Sota Star Sapphire, Koetsu Rosewood Signature. Half jazz, the rest split between blues, classical and rock. I am quite allergic to any treble brightness but appreciate treble extension if it doesn't create fatigue. That said, I prioritize a rich, real midrange, and like a somewhat laid back stage perspective.

Stereophile described the Amati load as "The speaker is a moderately demanding load, however, as can be seen from its plots of impedance magnitude and electrical phase angle against frequency (figs.1 and 2). With a maximum of 7.8 ohms, but a value below 6 ohms in the midrange and below 4 ohms in the bass and high treble, a good 4 ohm-rated amplifier will be called for."

I appreciate any thoughts about other tube amps that might be good with the Amati's. Also I have questions about Cary 805 monos in particular because I have a chance to buy a pair locally:

1. Do the 805s have a forward presentation?
2. Do the 805 create "larger than life" images? I owned them for a short time quite a while ago and recollect that images were very big.
3. Does anyone know if they would work well with the Amatis?

thanks for any thoughts!
montaldo
montaldo OP
202 posts
 

That's not quite what I meant George. What I was asking is whether in 100% of the cases an apparent mismatch in impedance and Power between amp and speakers  results in degradation of the musical experience. I realize that speaker design is a combination of engineering and art and that we cannot ignore the math... but I wondered whether what is expected by the numbers always manifests itself the way you might expect, in the reproduction of actual music. Or are the numbers simply strong indicators but there are exceptions?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
What I was asking is whether in 100% of the cases an apparent mismatch in impedance and Power between amp and speakers results in degradation of the musical experience.
It can very well be regarded as a degradation, but it's not the only one that one should point a finger at, there are many more one should consider.

Cheers George
montaldo OP
202 posts
 
George I think we are ships passing in the night. I will stop trying to rephrase my question. Thanks for your time anyway!
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
"...I wondered whether what is expected by the numbers always manifests itself the way you might expect, in the reproduction of actual music. "

Quick answer is no. Measurements are not always an (only) indicator of how the "system" will sound. Might be a good starting point but you need to listen and trust your ears. A McIntosh MC275 VI paired with a good tube preamp, McIntosh or otherwise, will probably sound much better than the aforementioned Cary.
I've heard a couple of different Sonus Faber large floor standing models paired with Pass XA100.5 amplifiers and they sounded fantastic. I think they were using an Aesthetix preamp, not sure which model.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
George I think we are ships passing in the night. I will stop trying to rephrase my question. Thanks for your time anyway!
Well maybe the only way is to ask me if I believe in voodoo, the answer I’m proud to say is an emphatic no!

I know you wish your 805’s could, but I’ve owned 805 monoblock’s I know what they are capable of and measure like, and with this SF speaker load they would act like a tone control, they would be "listenable" but not capable of giving what those SF are really able to give to you!

Cheers George
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