Integrated Amplifier for Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution


I just purchased second hand SF Guarneri Evo's. They are the nicest looking stand mounted speakers I've seen.

I'm currently driving them with a NAD M33 and I think it is not the right match for them. There is no dynamics and they sound thin to me. I think these speaker have a lot more potential.The speakers are 4 ohms with a sensitivity of 86db. I listen to jazz, blues, instrumental and classical mostly.

My room is about 13 by 17 ft.. I have a Bluesound streamer and a Denafrips Ares II DAC.

I'm open to suggestions or recommendations for a nice Integrated Amp. I have a $10-12K budget. I rather buy it used, since I think I get a better value. I live in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks.

 

 

chemarcelo

Your question is also dependent on your preferences. I approached purchasing a system by first buying an integrated amplifier. At the time, I wanted the simplicity of an integrated. The McIntosh MA12000 had just been released to positive reviews, so that was my first purchase. I auditioned them with Sonus Farber and Klipsch.  The S.F. Sounded great, but the Klipsch wasn’t to my liking.  I then visited local McIntosh dealers to listen to speakers in the $10-20K range with this amplifier. I really liked what I heard with Sonus Farber and Wilson. I ended up going with the Sabrina X, but I loved the Sonus Farbers. I like the McIntosh house sound and through the S.F.s the results were very musical to my ears. Dealers that carry Sonus Farber and McIntosh are pretty easy to find and likely they can also provide alternatives to the McIntosh.

…coincidence! The unit I recommended is in our neck of woods. Maybe you can borrow the unit (with a deposit) and try it out in your system.

skc

Forgot to mention the place that’s selling the Vitus I recommended above (TMR) allows for an in-home trial period.  Not sure of the terms, but especially at these prices it’s very nice to have the opportunity to hear it in your system and have an out if for some reason it doesn’t work for you. Just FYI.