I agree that a hybrid amplifier is a safe compromise choice. I just think that those Sonus Faber speakers will absolutely sing to the heavens driving by a high quality pure tube output. I’m bias with regard to tube amplifiers. 😊
Charles
Valve Amp for Sonus Faber Sonetto IIIs
I'm looking to move into the enticing but deeply confusing world of valve amplification. The more I read online the more bewildered I become. The SF Sonetto III's that I own are 89db sensitivity and 4ohm nominal impedance and I've seen the suggested amplifier output given as anything from 50W to 250W. Can anyone enlighten me as to realities of the situation. I don't play music at ear-bleeding levels, mostly it's classical--chamber to opera, jazz, and acoustic, although I sometimes get nostalgic for my lost youth and play King Crimson and Jethro Tull.
I'm currently looking at the Sinfonia & Triode amps from Unison Research, the McIntosh MA252, and the Synthesis Roma 510AC.
Any thoughts or advice (of the idiot's guide variety preferably) others may have will be gratefully received.
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I’m using twin monoblocks with no more than 15 watts output from a pair of KT66s in triode on 89db sensitivity speakers in a big room, and have no trouble playing it louder than I ever want or need to go, and it’s nirvana for me. It doesn’t hurt to have more power, but to me it’s more important to have good power that sounds good. A good pure tube set up should sound wonderful with your Sonus Fabers. You have the resolution potential to hear the wonders of a pure tube setup. I would not compromise with a hybrid, because that’s what you’ll hear in the end. My amps happen to be old Dynas with the VTA mods, but there are plenty of good amps that’ll do the trick. You can fine tune the sound by rolling tubes later on once you’ve gotten used to your new sound. Good luck, and enjoy! |
Yes, this is my train of thought. Seek out the beauty, emotional engagement and naturalness of pure tube power. Afterall these years I’ve learned that I trust your ears and judgement. I have no doubt that Synthesis Roma amplifier sounds wonderful. I have more familiarity with Unison Research amplifiers. Italy is the home of some really fine sounding tube amplifiers along the natural sound side of the spectrum. Very good options are available for the OP. Charles |
@charles1dad Thank you and I'd say the same of you. And I did hear a Unison Research/Opera combo this past weekend at CAF it was an entry level amp the Unico and sounded pretty nice. |
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