My Sonus Faber Stradivari - Curiosity got the better of me!

[joeinid]

I think it's been a year, maybe a little more since I bought my JBL 4367. I truly love them. I have not gone back to my Strads since getting them, until tonight .

I need a little more time to acclimate and get used to what I am hearing but, HOLY CR@P how I've missed these babies. OMG! These were my absolute first true love destination speakers and, wait for it .... they still are.

I think I have two (make that four ) of the best speakers known to man, if I say so myself. Sure there's more out there to listen to and maybe lust over but, no need. I'm as happy as a clam. Life is even better now. I know what I have and realize how good I have it.

[jdandy]

Joe.......No doubt about it. The Sonus faber Stradivari are fabulous speakers. So musical, and that includes all genres. They do it all so nice. Good thing you held onto them.

[joeinid]

Thank you Dan, I agree. Anshul implored me to not do anything rash as well. I'm glad I finally hooked them back up.

[Alpinist]

Hi Joe,

The Stradivari are world-class speakers for certain. You are a lucky man to own both them and speakers with visceral impact like the JBL 4367.

Enjoy,
Ken

[joeinid]

Thank you Ken. I am lucky indeed. Ayre complements them perfectly. It's a great combination.

[kkfan]

I'm glad you "rediscovered" your Strads, Joe! They are indeed incredible speakers! Absolute musicality with zero fatigue.

[joeinid]

Thank you. I'm happy too, sometimes we learn a little too late. Not this time. To replace them with anything "better" will be cost prohibitive and besides, there's mostly different at this level. Better is only a matter of taste. Yours and my own taste, and that's what makes this crazy hobby, err obsession go round. Sometimes what we are looking for is right in front of us. All it takes is to open our eyes and ears to realize it.

[apdoc2004]

Joe,
I am really happy for you. These speakers will age like a fine wine. I predict you will never get tired of them. It is just a shame that Franco Serblin is no longer in our midst.
Anshul

[joeinid]

May he rest in peace. Thank you very much. Deep down, I knew it, but sometimes I put blinders on. It's like coming back home to a familiar friend. I like what they do.

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[apdoc2004]

Joe,
It is only after talking to you that I decided to buy a pair of Strads ---I certainly hope to keep them forever.
Anshul

May he rest in peace. Thank you very much. Deep down, I knew it, but sometimes I put blinders on. It's like coming back home to a familiar friend. I like what they do.

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[joeinid]

My Strads are not going anywhere. I literally fell in love with them 6 or 7 years ago at least, maybe more. I'll have to see if I can trace back to the year. I knew then that I had to have them. Now, after a long absence, coming back to them is a joy. They may not have the latest "technology" but damn, they are oh so musical. And that's precisely why I fell hard for them.

Joe,
It is only after talking to you that I decided to buy a pair of Strads ---I certainly hope to keep them forever.
Anshul

[AJ Soundfield]

Joe, your next investment should be a Harman speaker shuffler



Can't decide?
Listen to the speakers you want at the touch of a button!

[joeinid]

Hahahahahaha, I love that. I have an amplifier Lazy Susan, now that would be a perfect match.

[Melbguy1]

Joe, your next investment should be a Harman speaker shuffler

That's a rare photo. That pic mysteriously disappeared from the web after being posted in one or two threads about the demise of classic Infinity speakers by yours truly. Those are the Revel Ultima Gems being voiced with Infinity IRS Omega speakers, circa 1997. That is a pathetic photo actually...kind of like arriving home to find your house ransacked & the engine removed from your car .

That said, congrats Joe on your Stradivari Homage speakers...great loudspeakers & very easy on the eye! In many ways the Strads are quite similar to Magico S5 Mk2 incl: driver compliment, specs and even list price. Though their sound signatures of course are quite different. Now that would be a fun a-b comparison!

[KeithR]

That said, congrats Joe on your Stradivari Homage speakers...great loudspeakers & very easy on the eye! In many ways the Strads are quite similar to Magico S5 Mk2 incl: driver compliment, specs and even list price. Though their sound signatures of course are quite different. Now that would be a fun a-b comparison!

Always comes down to Magico, eh?

[PMCH]

Joe, I agree, the Strads are forever speakers.

[joeinid]

Thank you so much.

...edit ...

That said, congrats Joe on your Stradivari Homage speakers...great loudspeakers & very easy on the eye! In many ways the Strads are quite similar to Magico S5 Mk2 incl: driver compliment, specs and even list price. Though their sound signatures of course are quite different. Now that would be a fun a-b comparison!

[joeinid]

We "music" lovers have to stick together. Amen to that!

Joe, I agree, the Strads are forever speakers.

[bthomas9]

I'm sure your new Bryston monoblocks will make them SING


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[joeinid]

I already know the Ayre combo is divine, I do wonder how Bryston would compare

I'm sure your new Bryston monoblocks will make them SING


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[Melbguy1]

Always comes down to Magico, eh?

Nice try, but in not biting.

[Jack]

Even if he is right?

[Melbguy1]

Even if he is right?

Really? Who made you the forum spokesman? Tell you what. Why don't you post a poll with that question and see how many votes you get?

[Jack]

Well I guess you did bite. Predictable at least.

[Melbguy1]

Well I guess you did bite. Predictable at least.

Well I guess you did troll me. Predictable as always..

[Jack]

No, I just agreed with Keith and you followed along and engaged me. Doesn't matter what the topic of the thread is you always end up in the same place. I thought we were on your ignore list anyway.

[joeinid]

My friend Bruce and I listened to original S5mk1's and S1mk1's. They were paired with Viva of all brands and I have to say that it was pretty amazing. So much so I almost pulled the trigger a few times. But, in the end we thought that our choices of amplifiers was a bit limited with Magico. They need, in my opinion, amps with a little extra sweetness and fullness to compensate for their sound signature. I feel that my Strads are more forgiving and more amp friendly.

[Melbguy1]

My friend Bruce and I listened to original S5mk1's and S1mk1's. They were paired with Viva of all brands and I have to say that it was pretty amazing. So much so I almost pulled the trigger a few times. But, in the end we thought that our choices of amplifiers was a bit limited with Magico. They need, in my opinion, amps with a little extra sweetness and fullness to compensate for their sound signature. I feel that my Strads are more forgiving and more amp friendly.

Good observations, and spot on Joe. I agree the S5 Mk1/Mk2's need plenty of power and some sweetness and fullness as you said. Hence i've found Vitus Signature series and Pass XA.8/XS series pair extremely well. Mike also tells me the Vac 200IQ amps are an excellent match. It's all about synergy. With your array of amps and musical tastes, yes I can see how the Strads would be a better match for you. Besides, they are purdy things!

[joeinid]

Thanks! But more importantly, fully paid for long ago. I'm getting cheaper in my old age

For me now, reaching out for a purchase like speakers of that caliber is a more sobering prospect that I'm not willing to contemplate. I've probably enough toys to keep me happy.

It's funny, as much as I love the red on my speakers an it is my favorite color, the traditional and original Strad color is what I associate with my speakers. I almost feel as if I don't have Strads if that makes sense. Call me shallow.

[Melbguy1]

I've probably enough toys to keep me happy.

Understatement of the century!..but I think Dan takes the cake

[joeinid]

[Melbguy1]

That color reminds me of the Staward cask strength Boulevardier whisky-based cocktail (which by the way is a cracker ).

[kkfan]

Gorgeous! I've only seen them in black.

[kkfan]

It's all about synergy.

Forgive me for going off-topic a little bit here. I'm sure most who know Harbeth know that their designer, Alan Shaw, doesn't quite believe in the concept of system synergy.

He posted this today over on a thread in the Harbeth forum:

Well, we have discussed all of this system-synergy stuff before.

We concluded that a) hifi dealers are commercial people who need to make a living to cover the cost of high street bricks and mortar stores b) that they display their juciest teasers at trade shows c) often, to keep the astronomic show-costs under control, enter into room-share, cost-share collaborations with anxilliary product makers (think: Magnum Dynalab with Harbeth at MOC Munich next week, again) d) recognise that there are monied folk about (plenty of them) and they enjoy spending money on beautiful things. Proof of that is that we made and shipped 60 pairs of M40.2 in Jan. '17 alone.

What I as a mere designer might use in the comfort and obscurity of my own home (or work listening room) is motivated by e) my total disinterest in how things look and total focus on how they perform f) personal ethos whereby I strive for the most for the best value for money (in many areas of my life) g) recognition that car dealers create brand aspiration by showcasing their top models out front, leaving the affordable stuff up the back somewhere, so it's a marketing norm to present the ultimate to the consumer.

Anyone in any doubt as to Harbeth's take on this synergy issue would, I'd assume, spend a little time here on HUG. Our pragmatic position is not hidden at all. I'm just appreciative that there other brands, often quite a bit smaller than us, that are willing to get on board with us at shows, and to allow us to spread the tremendous costs and logistical hassle. Long may that continue please!

"Live and let live" I'd say.

The thread is located here:

http://www.harbeth.co.uk/usergroup/f...2916#post72916

[dan31]

What does Alan Shaw have to do with Joe's Strad's? Answer...nothing.

Joe loves his Strad's and should be able to revel in his happiness. Alan Shaw wants to keep people from thinking they need a kings ransom to make his speakers work. I applaud him.

[Melbguy1]

What does Alan Shaw have to do with Joe's Strad's? Answer...nothing.

Joe loves his Strad's and should be able to revel in his happiness..

Live and let live as Alan said .

[joeinid]

Exactly! I have to say that I've owned both the 40.1's and 30.1's. I've heard many times the HL5plus speakers. While they fill a niche, they are nowhere near competitive to my Strads, especially the 40.1 which were killed by my Strads. Speakers need to be properly matched to the amps, preamps need to be matched to the amps, sources need to be matched to your taste and system and cables definitely need to be matched to everything up and downstream. It all has to work together.

What does Alan Shaw have to do with Joe's Strad's? Answer...nothing.

Joe loves his Strad's and should be able to revel in his happiness. Alan Shaw wants to keep people from thinking they need a kings ransom to make his speakers work. I applaud him.

[kkfan]

What does Alan Shaw have to do with Joe's Strad's? Answer...nothing.

Joe loves his Strad's and should be able to revel in his happiness. Alan Shaw wants to keep people from thinking they need a kings ransom to make his speakers work. I applaud him.

You misunderstood my post mainly because I wasn't clear. I do not agree with Alan at all because I believe in system synergy. I found his post amusing, which is why I posted it. My mistake was not making this clear.

[kkfan]

Speakers need to be properly matched to the amps, preamps need to be matched to the amps, sources need to be matched to your taste and system and cables definitely need to be matched to everything up and downstream. It all has to work together.

Agreed!

[crwilli]

Welcome home Joe! We forgive you.

[joeinid]

Thank you. That helps a lot.

It's fun to "rediscover" gear that you already own.

Welcome home Joe! We forgive you.

[Alpinist]

I am a huge believer in system synergy. I've owned four different pairs of speakers over the past five years and each time I changed speakers, the new speakers sounded poorly with the previous preamp and amps, necessitating a change. My Soulution gear sounded terrific with my Raidho D3's but pretty bad with my Vandersteen 7's. My Pass Labs gear sounded wonderful with my Revel Salon 2's but unsatisfactory with my Raidho D3's. My Cary gear sounded excellent with my Magnepan 3.7's but unfavorable with my Revel Salon 2's. My Vandersteen 7's now sing with Vandersteen monoblocks and ARC Ref 10 preamp. I rest my case.

Best,
Ken

[joeinid]

Ken,

You are 100% right about that too. Certain gear naturally goes perfectly well together. Whether subconsciously or not, I think we voice our own systems similarly.

Another friend, Bruce, and I go to the slightly warmer side of the scale. I have other friends that prefer neutral to cool and detailed.

In the end, it's whatever makes us happy.

[jdandy]

I am a huge believer in system synergy.
My Vandersteen 7's now sing with Vandersteen monoblocks and ARC Ref 10 preamp. I rest my case.

Ken.......Your system is excellent.You should probably hold up right where you are at this moment. While resting your case you should rest your wallet, too.

[Alpinist]

Ken.......Your system is excellent.You should probably hold up right where you are at this moment. While resting your case you should rest your wallet. too.

LOL Dan, I wholeheartedly agree!

Ken

[TechnicalPie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv1N41-l8GA&t=268s

[joeinid]

Wonderful setup, love it.

[mep]

I am a huge believer in system synergy. I've owned four different pairs of speakers over the past five years and each time I changed speakers, the new speakers sounded poorly with the previous preamp and amps, necessitating a change. My Soulution gear sounded terrific with my Raidho D3's but pretty bad with my Vandersteen 7's. My Pass Labs gear sounded wonderful with my Revel Salon 2's but unsatisfactory with my Raidho D3's. My Cary gear sounded excellent with my Magnepan 3.7's but unfavorable with my Revel Salon 2's. My Vandersteen 7's now sing with Vandersteen monoblocks and ARC Ref 10 preamp. I rest my case.

Best,
Ken

Ken-You have been a busy man! Four sets of speakers in 5 years and a change of electronics for all four pairs. Hopefully you have found peace and happiness with your current rig.

[joeinid]

Synergy is key. Not all electronics work well with all speakers and not all speakers work with all rooms. Part of the fun is buying and trying, part of the frustration is buying and trying. There are popular pairings that work really well together. The Accuphase and Sonus Faber combo above is one of them and absolutely wonderful.

[mep]

Synergy is key. Not all electronics work well with all speakers and not all speakers work with all rooms. Part of the fun is buying and trying, part of the frustration is buying and trying. There are popular pairings that work really well together. The Accuphase and Sonus Faber combo above is one of them and absolutely wonderful.

Everything centers on your speakers. Start with the speakers and that will tell you what type of amp you need. I personally don't enjoy moving large and heavy speakers into and out of my listening room which is up a flight of stairs in my house. I recently sold my NOLA KOs that I bought new in October of 2014. I had them packed in their wooden shipping crates because I thought I had a buyer lined up who backed out at the last moment. When a real buyer showed up at my house this past Monday, I decided I didn't want him to come into my house because of this global pandemic thingy. I had my wife help hang onto each crate as I slowly slid them down the stairs until I could walk them out the door and into my garage. They probably weigh about 140 lbs in the crate and the crates are fairly large. Just not my idea of a good time, but I'm real glad they aren't taking up real estate in my listening room now.

The NOLA KOs were designed with the Ref 75 amp and that is how I first heard them at RMAF in Carl's room years ago. The KOs are 91dB 1w/1m and are 8 ohms speakers which makes them easy to drive. I knew that when I bought my JBL 4345s that my Ref 75 would work just dandy because they are 95dB 1w/1m and they are an 8 ohm speakers also. Had I purchased a pair of 4 ohm sealed speakers with low sensitivity, I would have had to purchase a high current SS amp which may have led to other upstream changes with the preamp and possibly phono pre. The average power on my Ref 75 (and the meters only show average power, not peak power) is less than 1 watt and that less than 1 watt is loud in my fairly large listening room.

So yeah, swapping out speakers can cause you to have to replace your electronics which in tandem can get very expensive and time consuming. Selling the old gear, packing it up, and shipping it all takes time, money, and physical labor. There is nothing I enjoy about that process.