Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home vs Concerto Domus

I would be careful. I have the GP Home (and Concerto, Concertino and also Cremona) and really like them. When I listened to the Domus GP, I thought the sweet musicality was gone. The Domus are more detailed and maybe less "colored", but I thought they were thin and analytical compared to the GP Home. There have been changes at SF and the more recent lines have changed from the original sound. Some like the new sound, some do not. I would recommend listening to the Domus line before jumping in.

I second Dtc's thoughts. I just picked up a pair of Concertino Home after dreaming about the Signums for many years. Before they arrived I went to Magnolia and listened to the Cremona M, Liuto, and Concertino Domus. Although very open and detailed I did not feel the SF "magic" -- they sounded more cold and analytical than I had remembered the older SF speakers (very surprising since they were driven by bridged MC 275 tubes). I thought maybe it was just my ears, but then I got my Concertinos and WOW that beautiful emotive bliss is all there. If the GP Home is your dream speaker, don't settle for anything less and be patient. You'll just end up cycling through substitutes and ultimately get what you wanted in the first place after much time and money.

Or, since hi-fi gear retains its second hand value so well, get the Concerto Domus, snag a pair of GP Home when you find them, and hock the Concertos if you prefer them to the GPs. That is if you can spare the extra capital while you're selling of course.

Oops, I mean hock the Concertos if you DON'T prefer them to the GPs.

Is there a SF dealer near you? If so, definitely go have an audition. My guess is that you'll firmly decide on holding out for the GPs since you like the old signature sound so much (as do I).

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think my mind was already made up in the matter, and you all confirmed it. I should just wait out for the GPs. I have heard many speakers before, and for some reason the Grand Piano sound just stays with me.

I will be driving them with a Bel Canto Evo2i Gen II and a Unison Research CD.

I for one, would be very upset if I got the Concerto Domus and realized the SF "Magic" or coloration was not there any longer...

Good call. From what I've read, that Bel Canto should mate very nicely with the GPs. I have a Classe CAP-101 and am planning on evaluating the Evo2i Gen II for my next amp. It seems like Classe and Bel Canto have similar qualities -- very smooth and musical yet powerful and controlled compared to tubes.