Best amp for Sonus Faber

  +1 @ghdprentice

"MacIntosh produces a very heavy midrange and bass but is light on the details..." 

For what it's worth...

This was my experience as well.

Earlier this week I listened to the SF Cremonese, powered by McIntosh mono-blocks (600 Watt, each). In fact the entire rack was McIntosh, including the Mc Turntable (Clearaudio).

For $55K speakers, the sound was VERY disappointing.  After a minute or two I realized that I was hearing a very clear representation of the McIntosh gear.  Heavy mid-range, anemic in the highs.  I was expecting much better...

Always demo, and good luck.

Are you considering tubes? McIntosh or cj or VAC.  Although I guess solid state would be OK for Sonus but I'm not a big fan of solid state except for the base drivers. Solid state probably shred mid range and tweeters sound on the Sonos. It is so much better with the tube amplifier.  

“Mostly from people who do not own a Sonus speaker.”
@bigkidz 

I don’t think any of us can really know what everyone here has owned or currently owns, so saying it’s “mostly from people who don’t own Sonus” feels a bit presumptuous. Different experiences—whether from current ownership, past ownership, or extended listening—can all add value to the discussion. That’s the beauty of a forum like this: a range of perspectives helps us see things from angles we might otherwise miss.

@lalitak that is why I said mostly.

I try to add my experience as we are able to listen to so much equipment and can offer very good experience to help others.

Our repair and listening facility has in general over 20 amps, preamps, DACs, phono stages in each month to compare with various speakers.  Actually, we are always learning new things and can share those experiences.

I have always welcomed anyone to come to visit us in New Jersey to hear what we hear and learn as we do.

Happy Listening.  

This is my first post! I had to respond because I now have exactly the same amp/speaker setup as the original poster: SF Olympica Nova III and Luxman 509Z. I am new to the audiophile game but jumped in at the deep end! That also means that I am not much help as far as comparisons go. I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoying the combination. I love my Nova IIIs and the 509Z seems to be able to comfortably drive them. I have heard the 505Z and 507Z with these same speakers and there is a clear step up in each case as you go up the range. 509Z clearly has the best control of the bass and the best dynamics etc. All the things you read in the reviews. (Still working on my room treatment) I hope you enjoy your new setup as much as I am enjoying mine.