Audio Physic Virgo or Sonus Faber Cremona

I auditioned the Virgos through SS at a stereo store, and I thought they sounded truly horrible-- congested, raspy, immediately fatiguing. I could not get out of the room fast enough!
I auditioned and eventually purchased the SF Cremonas. I auditioned them through tube amplification, and that is what I use myself.I have heard that the Sonus Fabers perform their best with tubes. I have never heard or read that they were somehow "voiced" with SS (and I am a Stereophile subscriber)
The Cremonas have such a chrystalline clarity about them. The midrange (which after all is primarily what one listens to) is magical and extremely involving. To my ears, and apparently a multitude of others, they sound MUCH better than ANYTHING else out there- and I auditioned speakers costing well over $20,000. I listen to my system for many happy hours at a stretch, and have never found them to be fatiguing. Indeed, they draw you into the music, and I keep hearing new things on my cds that I never knew were there.
Listen and compare for youself, and I'm confident you will go with the Cremonas!!
--Steve

Hey Bigpowerballs read Sam T's interview with Sonas Fabers creator the Dentist turned speaker builder.

So how many manufacture founders actually studied electrical engineering, acoustic, physic, or mechanical engineering in school?

Fortunately, there are many talents and tools out there that can help one's dream come true. Franco utilized his artistic skill combining with best Danish drivers and modern tools to create world class speakers.

Bobby from Merlin is a good example. He takes the Dynaudio Esotar driver to the extreme, better than what Dynaudio can do themselves! Creating speaker is an art, not just pure science if you have ever attempted to make one.

Former owner of Wilson Watt/Puppy, Genesis, Dynaudio Confidence, ProAc, etc. Now a happier owner of Sonus Faber.

"I love disappearing act more than anything else and if the AP is superior in this regards to the SF"

AP is better in this regard. The cabinet puts less signature on the sound.
Further, IMHO, I don't think the Cremonas need any more of the softening that tubes typically do.

Hark , I own the Virgo II's and love em. I bought an AP Rhea sub which integrates beautifully. This is all the sound anyone could want. After two years they still give me chills with their accuracy and prescence. The Rhea has taught me what true bass sounds like. One more word of advice, DO NOT let the appearance of a speaker affect your decision. Its tempting, cause you want to have the cool looking system to impress whoever. They dont care , and soon neither will you.