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NO listening sessions posible , bookshelf for a Raven Nighthawk

I have never listening to tube gear until I recently heard a prima Luna  pre amp  hooked to a McIntosh  Mc.252 amplifier ,  I like the sound much better than the same set up with  a ss  McIntosh pream.  ( C42) . So now I  would like to buy a  Raven Nighthawk III integrated amplifier  to use  it  at my office , the space is  3.5  x  4.5 mts,  with a  bookshelf full of books on the back wall . The music I like is  mostly classical and  Jazz , I am looking for non fatiguing sound , warm and not to analytic.  Life is full of compromises  and  unfortunately there is no hifi dealers nearby and  I cannot spent a lot of time looking for  “perfect sound,".  Given that  I need a good pair of bookshelf speakers with sensitivity of  at least 88 db  that  matches the amp.  Budget  around $4.000,  with not only SQ but an appearance to mach  and reliability  .  So far I have on my list :  Tannoy mini anniversary .  Triangle  comete 40 th anniversary ,  Omega  super alnico monitor,  Fritz carrera Be ,  Sonus Faber sonetto II  ; Salk Silk AT monitors  and  Exotica monitor  ( humm  too expensive but gorgeous ),  I am open to more suggestions,  would you help me with  your advice   ?  
128x128vinylnostalgic
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vinylnostalgic OP
28 posts
 
Thanks charles7 ; I have not considered  the Focal 906 until now ;  how do you describe the SOUND with the focal?
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woots
303 posts
 
I recently purchased the Sonus Faber Sonetto II's and all I can say is WOW!  For such a small speaker it really does over deliver your expectations. I, too, like you, was unable to audition and went with a dealer recommendation and am beyond thrilled with the performance. This was the first pair of speakers I purchased without auditioning. The bass is one of the things that impresses me the most.  Also, the unique cabinet design adds to the bass performance.  There is a front port that pushes air beyond expectations so you can place close to the wall. I went with the white color that matches my bookcases and use without the black grills. 
dcevans
180 posts
 
I second the front ported 8 ohm Focal Aria 906.  I would not pair that great tube integrated amp with a 4 ohm speaker period. The amp will take away the brightness of the tweeter. Great pairing for that medium-sized room. 
dcevans
180 posts
 
I know that Raven pairs the Avian series integrated amps with their own Celeste, a 4 ohm speaker with higher sensitivity of I believe 90 dB/1 m, and supposedly it is a great pairing. They claim the high current of the amp can drive speakers with a sensitivity of 85 dB/1 m ... so maybe you can get away with the Sonetto. You definitely need a front ported or sealed speaker. Sonus Faber in general tend to be tipped to the yin (warmer in presentation) I believe, and paired with a tube integrated might be too much of a good thing. If you cannot listen to the speakers, the Focal to me seems like a much safer bet. 
gareents
65 posts
 
I have a Raven Osprey (bigger brother to the Nighthawk). I have used the Osprey with both Harbeth 30.2 and Bowers & Wilkins 805D3 speakers. Osprey easily drives both speakers well. Sound between the two is surprisingly very similar, though B&W 805D3's have slightly better sound.

Good luck.

G
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