cyc

Responses from cyc

Best Integrated amp under 1k
Audio Analogue Puccini. Smooth and voiced on the warm side of neutral. Would be excellent with jazz but may not totally be able to rock depending on your speakers. 
The best speaker you ever heard?
Mmerlin VSM-M. Transparent(Esotar tweeter) and adjustable depending on whether you have tubed or ss amps. Gorgeous finish with high WAF and more importantly (from where I come from), you do not need a large room to fit these babies in. 
Best Preamp under $5k??
My vote is the Hovland HP100. The sound is simply liquid and musical. Looks wise, IMHO it betters the CJ and Joule Electra. Just wish that it has remote control. 
The BEST system you've ever built !!!!
Marantz CD7, Hovland HP100, Cary 805C and Merlin VSM-M. Cabling by JPS, Audiotruth and Cardas. Refined, airy, taut bass, unbeliverable multi layered soundstaging and simply musical. 
Best integrated amp for Sonus Concerto
Why not the matching SF Musica? The walnut faceplate would sure match the matching walnut sides of the Concerto and the Musica is designed to match the Concert series.