Best Amp for Sonus Faber Cremona Series

"Best" is kind of a subjective thing that only you can answer for yourself. I, for example, prefer that the midranges be "just so right" with lots of "air". Others prefer bass with lots of "slam", while still others like fine detail. I don't like etched highs, or loose bass. For me, the Atma-Sphere M60's do the trick, I would venture to guess that the 30 would be just fine as well. However, all those tubes do heat up the house, and, in the summer, I use a Forte model 4a instead. What I am trying to say, is that in order to make suggestions, your music preferences, room acoustics, and what it is that your trying to achieve, as well as cost considerations (there HAVE to be a few cost considerations), need to be known. If you don't like all the maintainance that comes with tubes, consider a nice solid state performer (the YBA Integre DT comes to mind, and, at a reasonable price used), but price will still eventually dictate what can be recommended. Choosing the gear is a large part of the fun, use others advise for a guide, but, make the choice yours. Happy Listening, and good luck in your quest!

By the way, for a tubed integrated, you may want to consider the Jadis Orchestra Reference, but, I will have to warn you, it is an absolute pain in the rear to bias the output tubes.

Mcfarland,

I agree...I should have provided budget info. Budget is $3500 max and I am open for USED/NEW equipment.

As detailed in the original poat, my room size is 20 x 20 x 8 and will be moving into a room sized 20 x 20 x 18 in the future. My muical preference is Vocals, Instruments/strings, Jazz and occasional pop.

Thanks
Grakesh

Grakesh,

I had a chance to hear the Musical Fidelity A5 integrated with the Cremona at the 2005 RMAF and thought it was a very good combination.

Michael

I have heard the cremonas with the newer Classe Integrated amp (CAP 2100) and thought it sounded great. I really love sonus faber and generaly agree that they like a lot of current.

I am would like to see how my portal panache can handle the cremonas. I think there was a review that actually did this...