Amplifier for Sonus Faber Cremona M

I heard the Cremona Ms a few months ago powered by a Marantz PM8004. It's the lowest-price Marantz integrated that uses their HDAM gain circuit. Even with this 70 wpc $999 amp the Cremona Ms sounded fabulous. The Marantzes with the HDAM circuit are from their Reference Series made in Japan. The HDAM circuits are proprietary gain modules that provide as much as 75 dB gain each, with very wide bandwidth and very low noise. Even the PM8004's amp section has an S/N ratio of 125 dB. The 15S2 is a few notches above the PM8004, and should be a very good match. If you Google around, you'll find that these Marantz Reference Series amps are extraordinarily neutral and linear, yet smooth and musical without of hint of edginess or sterility.

I played the opening Diana Krall's "All or Nothing At All," which starts with a rapid upright bass intro by Christian McBride. The humble PM8004 had total control, speed, extension, and fullness of that passage (and the rest of the song), something I would not have expected from a $999 integrated amp. The 15S2 would be that much better. There are several reasons this combo impressed you and I think the Marantz is one of them. The Cremona M is easily my favorite speaker anywhere near that price too.

I have heard the same combo, Cremona M & Marantz 15S2 LE at a Magnolia Design Center. Here in my area, we have several and they like to pair the SF's with the Marantz reference gear.

I agree with Johnnyb53, the Cremona M's sounded fabulous with the Marantz amp. I spent quite a bit of time listening to this combo and the B&W 802/Mac mono blocks with recordings I brought with me. I also preferred the Cremona M's even though they were being driven by an amp a fraction of the price of the Macs. Incredible sound.

Now I am not currently in the market for 10K speakers but if I were, the Cremona's would probably be the ones. And I would have no problem getting the Marantz 15S2 LE too as the amp to drive them. You heard it yourself through this same combo and admitted to preferring the Cremonas.

So, you are asking for a recommendation for these speakers. The Marantz 15S2 LE! Why look any farther? At least to your ears (and mine), they already bested far more expensive speaker/amp combinations. But with you stated budget, if you feel this amp is too low for a 10K speakers, then look at the Marantz 11S3 that provides more power at 5K. Good luck with your search.

Thanks again guys for your helpful responses!

@Defride, I like the idea of Pathos. In fact I have many different speaker amplifier choices in my mind, from Opera, Unison, Nola KO, Quicksilver ect. The problem is I need to listen to them all and no dealers around. So I have to stick with what I have heard and seen personally. Thinking about attending the Audio show AXPONA in Chicago this March. Maybe hold off my purchase until then?

@Rgs92, I used to own some Luxman gear a long time ago. Very nice! I haven't heard their new gear but from what I remember I might want a little bit of a warmer sound than the Luxman's provide. I might be wrong. No dealers here.

@ Lewinskih01,

That is a very good idea to look into. I could buy one McIntosh MC275 and a McIntosh tube pre amp. Live a while with only 75 watts. It should be fine, but then buy a second MC275 later and use them as mono blocks. It would be more expensive, especially over the MA6600 integrated, but worthy of consideration. I will have to make the people at Magnolia move some things around as those amps are now in the front of their store. Magnolia is not the best when it comes to rearranging gear to listen to different combinations. Prefer the independent stores for that, but not many of them left.

@ Johnnyb53

Marantz makes some pretty good gear that always seems to punch above it's price. I owned the PM-8004 for a very short time to play around with in my second system. I was very impressed with it. It could sell for twice the price and I wouldn't think it was overpriced. Perhaps it wasn't broken in fully or perhaps it was my Proac's I had it hooked up to but I found the PM8004 a little too bright sounding and preferred my little Creek 4330 so I sold it. Other than the brightness it did everything better than the Creek. I doubt the Marantz was even broken in all the way. Maybe I should have waited longer.

@ Paraneer,

You make some very good points. It seems like we had the exact same setups at the Magnolia's we went to. You are right! I did prefer the Cremona M's hooked up to the Marantz 15S2 LE over the much more expensive B&W 802 and McIntosh mono block amp, preamp, combination.

I thought it was because I just didn't like the B&W's that much. They were a bit to analytical and mechanical in their musical approach and a bit too bright. The Cremona M's played with more emotion, warmth and beauty without sacrificing detail. In fact I thought I could hear more details and layering in the recordings over the 802's. All this while being hooked up to inexpensive Marantz 15S2 LE! So that must say something. Don't get me wrong the 802's are still excellent speakers. But for me they just sounded more "Hi-Fi" and less like music.

I will try to get Magnolia to set up some different amps with Cremona M's. After I hear the Marantz, then hook them up to the MC275 tube amp and tube pre. Magnolia does not carry the MA6600 but does have the MA6300. Not as good but maybe that will give me a better idea.