New (To me!) Sonus Faber Cremona M's

E

el0designs

New member
Joined
Oct 11, 2022
Messages
10
Location
Sarasota FL
After selling Sonus Faber at Harvey Electronics in CT, I fell in love with Cremonas and was lucky enough to grab pair and ran them with a McIntosh MHT200 AVR. I ended up selling the system to the buyer of my home when I moved and always regretted it. After years of looking, I finally found a pair of mint Cremona M floor speakers in Beech and grabbed them. Now, the fun part. What to drive them with!!

My current temp set up: Sonus Cremona M's set up properly in my listening room, Meitner STR55 amp (Gift from a friend) and PA6i preamp, Autonomic MMS2 audio streamer running TIDAL. The Meitner sounds amazing for a 30 year old amp but I can feel I need more power to help make the walls vanish.

After many hours on Audiogon, followed up by an equal amount of time online, I think my choices would be one of the following new or used Integrated amps (Ayre, Bryston, Classe sigma 2200i, McIntosh MA series, Hegel H120 or H160). Any thoughts on what might pair the best knowing what characteristics the Fabers have? More importantly, which of these is going to be the most problem free? The Hegel sounds like the most exciting to me and I love the Control4 integration with my house system. I have never seen or heard any of their gear however and know little about them.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance for the advice.
 
el0designs said:
After selling Sonus Faber at Harvey Electronics in CT, I fell in love with Cremonas and was lucky enough to grab pair and ran them with a McIntosh MHT200 AVR. I ended up selling the system to the buyer of my home when I moved and always regretted it. After years of looking, I finally found a pair of mint Cremona M floor speakers in Beech and grabbed them. Now, the fun part. What to drive them with!!

My current temp set up: Sonus Cremona M's set up properly in my listening room, Meitner STR55 amp (Gift from a friend) and PA6i preamp, Autonomic MMS2 audio streamer running TIDAL. The Meitner sounds amazing for a 30 year old amp but I can feel I need more power to help make the walls vanish.

After many hours on Audiogon, followed up by an equal amount of time online, I think my choices would be one of the following new or used Integrated amps (Ayre, Bryston, Classe sigma 2200i, McIntosh MA series, Hegel H120 or H160). Any thoughts on what might pair the best knowing what characteristics the Fabers have? More importantly, which of these is going to be the most problem free? The Hegel sounds like the most exciting to me and I love the Control4 integration with my house system. I have never seen or heard any of their gear however and know little about them.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Thanks in advance for the advice.
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Having to buy new equipment is always a fun "task". LOL

You are lucky to be in Sarasota as you are by Mike's store. Why not see what he may have for you? I've have bought a bunch from him and his knowledge and helpfulness is always outstanding.
 
Congratulations and welcome!

I had a pair of the original Cremonas (before 'M') long ago mated with some Bryston electronics. Beautiful speakers--mine were the maple finish. I would think either Bryston or Hegel would be a good match given their neutral punchy character since the Cremonas are from a time when SF were more warm/romantic sounding, as opposed to the current offerings. But yeah, Mike would know.
 
Another consideration might be a Pass Integrated from Mike.

I - and ALL of my RoomPlay Reference clients - find the Pass INT60 delivers absolutely wonderful Musical Engagement.

Good Luck in your electronics pursuit!
 
Agreed. I have spoken to Mike. They have some AMAZING gear in there. I am lucky enough to have VAC right here too and they are another amazing resource. I have a feeling my budget would have to increase dramatically after spending too much time with either of those two.
 
Kevin was showing me what goes into his equipment when built and I honestly think I came close to shorting out the circuitry with drool. Build quality on another level.

Im not familiar enough with tube equipment but based on what I’ve heard so far in my experience, unparalleled warmth and detail. Ideally, a solid state integrated that can deliver some of that would be ideal. Something affordable? (Relatively)

@jim smith I’ve heard good things about pass. I would have to look at something used I think.

The hard part is that, the BEST way to know for sure is to hook my speakers up to the amps in question. Unfortunately, that’s almost an impossible task.
 
A restored Mark Levinson 432 can be had for around $3k. I’m using more powerful ML monoblocks to drive my SF Extremas and can attest that SF like lots of high current power. Good luck!
 
Thanks Mike. That HiFi Rose looks interesting. I’ll reach out about swinging by to have a closer look if you have one there.
 
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