Amp for Sonus Faber Cremona M's


I'm looking at upgrading my system and I think my speakers are going to be Cremona M's. My current amp is an Arcam A28 and that is obviously not an ideal paring for the Cremonas. Does anyone have experience with what pairs well with Cremonas? Budget wise I'm looking at something in the $5000-$8000 rage.
zedak

Showing 1 response by hgeifman

I am using the Luxman Class A integrated L-590ax amplifier for my Sonus Faber Olympic II Speakers. This Class A amplifier drives my SF Olympic II speakers to loud levels in my living room. The Luxman L-590ax is fully balanced and I am using balanced cables from my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC to the Luxman.

The Luxman amplifier is very heavy and the box is huge (doubled boxed). And, yes, it does get warm to touch but the heat is not a problem. It does need plenty of open air around it.

It is hard for me to describe how it sounds. It seems the music is fuller, with more detail and with better bass control. It seems I am hearing more things than I did with the Ayre AX-7e amplifier. The mid range is outstanding. I do not understand but it seems classical music sounds better on the Luxman than the Ayre. The music is clearer, more airy and easier to listen to. Overall, the new amplifier sounds excellent in my system. I listen to classical, jazz, blues, country and new age.

Another option is the Ayre AX-5 integrated amplifier. I like the Luxman L-590ax because of its Class A design and that it is fully balanced.

I am hoping you can borrow some amplifiers and use them in your system to see how they work.