NO listening sessions posible , bookshelf for a Raven Nighthawk


I have never listening to tube gear until I recently heard a prima Luna  pre amp  hooked to a McIntosh  Mc.252 amplifier ,  I like the sound much better than the same set up with  a ss  McIntosh pream.  ( C42) . So now I  would like to buy a  Raven Nighthawk III integrated amplifier  to use  it  at my office , the space is  3.5  x  4.5 mts,  with a  bookshelf full of books on the back wall . The music I like is  mostly classical and  Jazz , I am looking for non fatiguing sound , warm and not to analytic.  Life is full of compromises  and  unfortunately there is no hifi dealers nearby and  I cannot spent a lot of time looking for  “perfect sound,".  Given that  I need a good pair of bookshelf speakers with sensitivity of  at least 88 db  that  matches the amp.  Budget  around $4.000,  with not only SQ but an appearance to mach  and reliability  .  So far I have on my list :  Tannoy mini anniversary .  Triangle  comete 40 th anniversary ,  Omega  super alnico monitor,  Fritz carrera Be ,  Sonus Faber sonetto II  ; Salk Silk AT monitors  and  Exotica monitor  ( humm  too expensive but gorgeous ),  I am open to more suggestions,  would you help me with  your advice   ?  
vinylnostalgic

Showing 4 responses by vinylnostalgic

Well I will update this post

As someone suggested, I spoke with James ( Raven speaker designer )  and  I ended up buying a prototype speaker he made ;  is  similar to the Corvus monitor , only with smaller woofers and cabinet.  They are great and the synergy with the ampler is palpable.  I have compared them with Audio  Solutions Figaro B ( similar priced ) and prefer the Ravens midrange and sweetness. 

The Raven Blackhawk is marvelous  I really like its sound.  Great company . Thanks to all  and Merry Christmas 

Thanks for your comments,  regarding the space is  my mistake , the dimensions are  6.5 meters x  4.2 meters  ( 21.3 x 13 ft) 

Thanks charles7 ; I have not considered  the Focal 906 until now ;  how do you describe the SOUND with the focal?
Upss,  my apologies for not being more active.  I am no familiar with the “ rules of engagement” for this forum. Yes, I notice that MC gave his valuable opinion and I really appreciate all  contributions .  I enjoy a lot the process of buying a new piece of equipment,  for example, I have been searching information for every speaker you have suggested ,  mainly reviews ,  that  increases my knowledge  ( but no my hearing abilities unfortunately  ).  Fritz and Salk  speakers were unknown to me until they  were mentioned in Audiogon ;  fantastic ! Love the concept of a man doing everything  in contrast to the big companies that have  funds to do research and development.
Last night I have another good feeling in these search .   The primaluma pre-amp  that a friend loan me  , is connected to my McIntosh amplifier: I told my wife to spent a few minutes listening to  ( a tidal master playlist fo classic jazz ),   She is not an audiophile for sure,  but I took her  5 minutes to notice something diferent and I was so surprised for her comment : " ….. that sound is like silk” , wow ,  now I know she wont complain when the Raven  and  chosen speakers boxes  arrive home. By the way as you have notice I am not  english fluent,  I am an Urologic surgeon  ( still very active ) living in a town  in the Andes Mountains  , Bucaramanga , Colombia, I know only two other audiophiles in our city  to share the  hobby , so , no,   I do not have the experience you have  even though  I started reading , buying  and trading gear at 15 years old.  Thanks a lot , these forum is very interesting  (and sometimes frightening )