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Budget Amp for Sonus Faber

A bit of an odd request here so bear with me. 

I have a pair of Sonus Faber Guarneri Traditions and currently have a Parasound A23 amp. 

I mainly want to get a different amp because my table isn't big enough to fit the Parasound and frankly I think it looks pretty bland. 

I'm in the camp of all reasonably well made amps sound the same, so really just looking for a small footprint but also very attractive / clean looking amp that will fit on my table. Ideally footprint of no more than 12 X 12 inches. 

Tube or SS doesn't really matter. Would like to spend under $1000 but can stretch to $2000 if needed. Just need at least 50W. 

asianatorizzle
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,835 posts
 

@asianatorizzle  Your speakers are more than capable of delineating the differences between amps..and your other upstream gear. If you pair them with a marginal amp/preamp, or a marginal sounding integrated, they will sound like what your upstream gear is allowing them to sound. IOW, garbage in…garbage out.

mesch
3,402 posts
 

Hey, the OP is looking for something that fits his scenario. Yes the speakers will not exhibit what they are capable of however it sounds (no pun) like the Vidar fits his needs. 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,176 posts
 

cool looking Quad Stuff listed here

 

 

amp specs say 12-5/8" wide

 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 

@daveyf 

Your speakers are more than capable of delineating the differences between amps..and your other upstream gear. If you pair them with a marginal amp/preamp, or a marginal sounding integrated, they will sound like what your upstream gear is allowing them to sound. IOW, garbage in…garbage out.

This has been my experience as well. I believe that those excellent speakers are easily capable of exploitation the quality of amplifier driving them. But that's me. The OP has explained his rationale and I respect that. To each their own with regard to audio decisions.

Charles

dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 

I'd be a little careful with small, low-cost amps. Your speakers are nominally 4 ohms with 87dB sensitivity. In addition, there are pretty wide swings in impedance and phase angel. All of that implies a pretty hefty power supply may be needed.  Traditionally, high end Sonus Faber speakers have been hard to drive. It is not just having 50 watts of stated power.  I have Cremonas and found that even pretty hefty amps did not do them justice. Class D may work better than AB. I have no experience with your speakers, Just a something to consider..

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