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Tube or SS for Sonus Faber Amati Homage

I just acquired a pair of Amati Homage, much more efficient than my previous speakers. I have a Pass X-350 which will drive just about anything, but I actually like the "distortion" of tubes and would love to own tubes again. How much power is needed to drive the Amati? Dealer told me Amati works better with SS because Sonus Faber usually underdamps bass and needs SS to control the low end. I also heard Amati makes best sound with single ended like BAT VK-75SE or Nagra? Who is right and what do you use?

I have a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 SE, I am inclined to use Power 2 or Power 3 to get better synergy or will I be better off using something else?
davidlin
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Davidlin: "Who is right and what do you use?" I believe that *current* is useful in order to get homogeneity out of the speakers but the rest is really up to your musical tastes IMO...
I listen to classical. I have enjoyed the Amati with YBA Passion stereo (ss) / Passion pre, Bearlabs cabling, AND with KR Antares tube (same equip upline). I give an edge to Passion (that happens to be ss) and yes, the low end was better -- but that's not conclusive... YMMV!
Cheers
deano
77 posts
 
David- You lucky dog you!! Always wanted to own a pair of SF Amatis and someday it will happen. But in the meantime my only advise to you is that if you do decide to go with the big Passion amps, I heard them at GTT Audio in New Jersey and they are very good. If you need a big solid state amp, this is a must audition. Check it out and good luck.
twl
3,251 posts
 
In defense of Thorty40, he only stated that the ZH270 was the best he had heard to date. I didn't see anything in there about "best there ever was". The ZH270 is an excellent amp and value for dollar, and I'm sure it would do a great job with the Amati. Let's try not to resurrect the Berning vs Tenor thread here.
davidlin OP
23 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I have heard great things about YBA, but I don't think any solid state can be a tube regardless how hard they try. I am still leaning toward real tube amps instead of "tube like" solid state which I already used to have.

I might stay away from OTL as well as Amati does not have the most friendly impedance and OTL usually chokes with varying impedance. I know Berning has proprietary output stage that will cope with varying impedance, but nothing beats the old fashion transformer.

Any more input?
jwaugh
103 posts
 
IMHO the Nagra always seems to have trouble controlling base on even intermediate-load speakers at moderate listening volumes. I have heard the amps on three separate pairs of speakers and would be surprised if you would find them complete and compelling on the Amati Homage.

You should be able to find truly wonderful tube match for the Amati Homage depending upon price constraints. I have heard a couple of SS amps with the Amati Homage (but not the Passion 1000 monos), and found myself not fully engaged by the music. They should really blossom with a great tube amp I would imagine. A couple of the posters so far including Audio999 (Johan) can give you some quite varied listening impressions...

Good luck,
Jacob
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