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SF Cremonese Q

Not sure how many owners, or those experienced, are out there, but wondering if SF's move on the new tweeter on the 50-unit Extreme models is due to a slightly "intense" (read; hot over the long listening sessions) tweeter on the 2015 issued model, or just a way for the company to do something profitable during this pandemic world.

I'm looking at mating the Cremonese with a Ypsilon Phaethon, Esprit Luminia wire, Thales TT...going for more full range, all-genre music in my retirement (and for my wife...)

My history: TAS reviewer for a short stint, HP era, Quad 63s, ESP Concert Grands, early 301 sitting in a box waiting for my attention, maybe, Shun Mook clamp, early one, dark grain and oily, NIB SME 3012R Pro all-black to go with it all...maybe, maybe.

Looking for learned opinions.

Thanks.
asa
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,858 posts
 
If you like the Serblin era SF's..and I can totally understand why, then why not seek out one of those?  Depending on your room size, the Extrema's, the GH's, or the Strads are pretty hard to beat, IMHO.
I use the GH's in my very small dedicated room, they have so far seen off all other more recent contenders.
asa OP
662 posts
 
Thanks, Gregm!

davey, good points, and I have thought about the Strads. It will be a fairly large great room (at least, that's the plan...) so the Cremonese seemed to fit the bill in terms of energizing that space. When the COVID bubble lifts, I'll head out and take a close listen. Thanks again for your input.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,858 posts
 
 @asa  Another option for a larger room would be a new pair of Franco Serblin Ktema's. They don't get a lot of press in the US, but are an excellent speaker.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
I heard the Il Cremonese recently, non-extreme version, and found them very open sounding unlike the Serblin-era speakers which were far more warm and cuddly. They really are quite different. I didn’t find the tweeter hot and am very sensitive to this - wouldn’t find the need to step up to the extreme. I did clamor for more bass on certain tracks though. Really good speaker though, preferable to Wilson, Magico, Rockport, etc. 

daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,858 posts
 
@keithr Keith, you say the Il Cremonese is preferable to the Wilson, Magico, Rockport, etc., which models are you referring to?
The new Wilson Sasha DAW with the right amplification is pretty good...and apparently so is the new Magico A5, although i have not heard it. If the Il Cremonese sounds better than the Sasha DAW, it should be on everyone’s short list.
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