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Grand Pianos paired with Classe/Theta electronics?

A recent move to a house with a smaller listening/ viewing room has compelled me to sell my Legacy Audio Signature III's (with matching center and rears) and replace them with another speaker system. I'm using a Theta Casa Nova processor, and a Classe Audio CAV-180 for power. This combination sounds fantastic to my ear, but the Legacy's are simply too big for my new room.

During my recent demo spree to find a new speaker system, a couple of speakers have struck me as excellent, particularly for the money. First is the Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home, which Sonus will soon phase out, but I still believe is a great speaker, and it's available for a fairly drastic discount at $2,500 for the pair, brand spanking new. The other is the Paradigm Reference Studio/100, which ends up being about the same price.

I have a few questions for anybody that can help:
1. There are so many great reviews about the Studio/100 speaker system, but I don't see many on the Grand Pianos. Am I crazy or are the Grand Pianos a fantastic speaker, but too pricey if you have to pay the $4k list price? If they listed for $2,500 a pair, wouldn't they show up on a lot of experts' recommended speaker lists (as the Studio/100's do)?

2. Are the Grand Pianos (along with the matching Solo center and Wall rears) a good/bad/ugly fit for the electronics that I've mentioned? How about the Stuiod/100's?

3. Can anyone comment on the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the Grand Piano vs. the Studio/100, for both (jazz/blues/acoustic guitar) music and home theater?

4. Any suggestions for alternative speakers to demo, given my electronics and a price range for mains ranging to around $3k? I've thought of looking at the B&W line but there are no local dealers.

Thanks, and sorry to ramble. If the length of my post has offended you, please accept my apology and move on.
bonnix
the_kid's avatar
the_kid
465 posts
 
I own Grand Pianos and absolutely love them. At that price, they are a steal. I use a Cary Tube Amp with mine but the Classe and Theta stuff should really shine with them. I really don't see how you could go wrong with them.

Chris
bonnix OP
3 posts
 
Thanks, everyone. I was leaning toward the Pianos, and your comments have solidified my gut feel. Thanks for your input.

By the way, Chris, I bet they sound amazing with that tube amp of yours...

Have any of you heard them with a sub, for movies? Can you recommend a sub? Sonus isn't exactly known for subs so I was thinking of going with another brand.
hiflyer
99 posts
 
I have used a Velodyne 12" sub with the Grand Pianos in the past. They worked very well together.
the_kid's avatar
the_kid
465 posts
 
Bonnix,

Thanks! Actually the Sonus Gravis Subwoofer is pretty nice and really musical. I heard it paired with a pair of Concertos and was impressed. They also make a Cremona Version of this subwoofer but it does not come cheap.

My first choice though would probably be a REL Strata III. Highly musical, tight, and available second hand here on Audiogon for a decent price.

Good Luck!

Chris
bonnix OP
3 posts
 
Great, thanks Hiflyer and Chris. The first time I auditoined the GP's it was with a REL Strata III as you (Chris) suggested. The system sounded great but I hadn't listened to enough systems at the time to make an investment, so I waited and ultimatley bought the Legacy Audio setup that I described in my original post. I'll have to try and find a REL dealer in the area and give it a try again. I've also heard great things about Velodyne's DD series, as well as the James subs. More listening to do... Thanks again for your input.
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