Unfortunately headphones give me headaches... I've tried many.
Need to downsize my system
I have a lovely system with Sonus Faber Serafino Tradition speakers, Ayre AX5-Twenty integrated, Chord Dave DAC, and a cambridge audio streamer.
I’m moving to London (from US) this summer and am liquidating the above system: among other factors, I will not have a dedicated study/listening room but instead will need to either double duty with the family room or a smallish (12x13 feet) bedroom. So ideally I’ll move to a system where speakers are less imposing and smaller footprint (so likely standmounts) and an all-in-one streamer-dac-integrated system. A two box setup (streamer+dac and integrated) could also be feasible.
I would love some recommendations on where to start. An obvious alternative is to buy the Sonus Faber Guarneri G5 (which are basically the standmount and newer version of my Serafino) and Ayre EX-8. I’m also open to the idea of a sub to complement the standmounts.
I listen mostly to classic rock and Jazz. I’m sensitive to hard/shrill sound so the Sonus Faber house sound has been perfect for me. Most important is the sound but looks also matter: an ugly rectangular box that sounds wonderful will likely not work for me.
I would love to hear any ideas. Thinking of spending total of about 25-30K UKP and will consider demo/used.
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- 38 posts total
I think you have a good plan just downsizing the SFs, adding a sub, and going from there. If you want a smaller, quality amp that is up to the task and more, I can happily recommend an amp of your choice from Class D Audio in California. Or, if you want to really downsize and keep it simple, I use a Cambridge Audio Evo 150 with Sonus Faber Concerto Domus and this is a wonderful pairing that does it all. |
I would go with Sonus Faber stand mount (choose your investment level). I’d set up in the small room. Communal rooms are usually poor for many reasons. Personally I would look at the Audio Research I/70. You can add an optional DAC card, and then all you need is a streamer to go... maybe a Aurender N200. I would do some investigation on why headphone systems give you headaches... is it a physical thing... pressure from above or on your ears or fatigue. My headphone system is one of the real joys of my life. But it came about over decades of effort in careful choice as technology moved on. The sound on my headphones is warm and musical with absolutely no hint of fatigue or noise. You can see my systems under my ID. |
I was a Sf fan and owner until I listened to Sonner Legato Unum's. Every year they are on PTA best bookshelf/stand-mount list: Everything @ghdprentice opines about in an Sf speaker and made in the USA. https://pt.audio/2025/12/12/best-bookshelf-speakers-2026-buyers-guide-2026/ https://sonneraudio.com/speakers/legato-unum/ https://pt.audio/2020/12/18/sonner-audio-legato-unum-loudspeaker-review/ |
- 38 posts total