Sonus Faber Stradivari ....

**joeinid** · November 24, 2013, 07:46 PM

Thanks Allen.

I am not sure I can define a list (short or long about what I want). I do wholeheartedly agree with you Allen about "vocals". Get that right and I almost don't care about the rest. Despite having had tons of gear, both high end and somewhat lower end, it's really not the gear that I listen to at night. Sure I enjoy the hunt but when the room is dark, I can't see what I am listening to. Take the Job for example, I've given up a lot of gear and prefer the Job because there is something in it that gives me "more" of what I like. Is it the last word in a grain-less presentation? No, but I actually prefer it to some of the recent amps I just sold.

Originally Posted by socfan12

Great post, Kev!

My short list is very similar to yours. Just add amazing vocals, you know, round and palpable, the type that you can almost feel their breath on you, and that's my list!

I don't think Joe is searching or looking to define that shortlist for himself per se. Joe has a broad appreciation for all good things audio. His tastes run from SF to TADs, from Job to Dartz to CJ. I think he's just having fun exploring all that good stuff, and I'm enjoying and learning vicariously myself!

Keep up the good work, Joe! Never would have learned about the Job if it weren't for you my friend!

**LL21** · November 24, 2013, 08:11 PM

For me, the 'list' has been: 1) midrange magic/purity of tonality, propulsive & deep bass. 2) clarity and detail/decay. 3) Midrange scale...something I found mainly comes thru great floorstanders (generally still enhanced with subs) More recently as I have made some good headway in 1, 2 & 3, I have learned further ways to deliver these better than I had imagined...lowering noise floor, integrity of signal, isolation...all leading to extremely clarity without etching but rather thru removal of grunge..all of this has led to a purity of signal I had not fully appreciated before. Howver, having discovered these...along the way, now what I am after is all-out scale and effortlessness. I have heard Genesis 1.1 and the Rockport Arrakis...and they have opened my eyes to what a 4-man rock band (Nirvana Unplugged) can sound like in a room 17x35.

**socfan12** · November 24, 2013, 11:19 PM

At the risk of hijacking Joe's thread, great list, Lloyd. I think a number of SOTA or near SOTA speakers can give you some measure of 1-3. But outside of the MBLs, I have yet to hear many speakers provide #4: all out scale and effortlessness. This is where I know I'm listening to a reproduction. Of course, I haven't heard everything, but I think this is one of high end's most difficult technical challenge.

**joeinid** · November 24, 2013, 11:28 PM

Hijack away!

No problem.

**joeinid** · November 25, 2013, 05:59 PM

Can anyone comment on how they think the Vitus SIA-025 would match up with the Strads?

**iamhifi** · November 26, 2013, 12:46 PM

Joe,
I heard them a while back at Audio Salon with MC2301 and Nordost Valhalla and I can't rememeber if the Odin was in place, the sound was inviting, warming, seductive a 180 from the Tad's. Again at least has to be wire with Valhalla, maybe Valhalla 2 to get the best out of them. Why not the beautiful Futura's, I get all that.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 01:01 PM

Hi Angel,

Thank you for your thoughts. I think the Futura may be a more difficult to place in my room. The two times I heard the Strads, I absolutely loved them. I need to hear the Futura to compare. I have not heard them yet.

Originally Posted by iamhifi

Joe,
I heard them a while back at Audio Salon with MC2301 and Nordost Valhalla and I can't rememeber if the Odin was in place, the sound was inviting, warming, seductive a 180 from the Tad's. Again at least has to be wire with Valhalla, maybe Valhalla 2 to get the best out of them. Why not the beautiful Futura's, I get all that.

**iamhifi** · November 26, 2013, 01:54 PM

go with your dream

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by iamhifi

go with your dream

We'll see what the future holds.

**tunes** · November 26, 2013, 03:50 PM

I've never really warmed up to the futuras after listening to them on 3 or 4 occasions. Strads OTOH, i have adored. If i had a larger room, they are still my top pick for many of the reasons outlined by Joe and Mike. ARC and Pass are excellent matches. I imagine the CJ would be as well.

**Mike** · November 26, 2013, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

I've never really warmed up to the futuras after listening to them on 3 or 4 occasions. Strads OTOH, i have adored. If i had a larger room, they are still my top pick for many of the reasons outlined by Joe and Mike. ARC and Pass are excellent matches. I imagine the CJ would be as well.

+1

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by tunes

I've never really warmed up to the futuras after listening to them on 3 or 4 occasions. Strads OTOH, i have adored. If i had a larger room, they are still my top pick for many of the reasons outlined by Joe and Mike. ARC and Pass are excellent matches. I imagine the CJ would be as well.

Thank you. I think any amp that I have now will be wonderful. The Strads are easy to drive.

**LL21** · November 26, 2013, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Hi Angel,

Thank you for your thoughts. I think the Futura may be a more difficult to place in my room. The two times I heard the Strads, I absolutely loved them. I need to hear the Futura to compare. I have not heard them yet.

Both good speakers...Futura could almost be described as the SF that TAD designed. Much straight up linear. SF Strad bears the softer nuances and flow that Franco Serblin breathed into each of his creations. Maybe its linear but probably not...but then again for those who love it...do they really care? And by the way, with a very very high current, organic amplifier, you will provide this with the energy to drive the bass with power, control and always the organic tune that again was part of every Serblin design.

**VT Skier** · November 26, 2013, 05:25 PM

Joe, you know I've heard them all, other than (one pair of) Mike's former speakers, and the Strad remains my favorite SF speaker. They'll need to go downstairs though, and I would recommend a SS amp if you're going to build a system around them. If not, your CJ should be just fine.

**NorthStar** · November 26, 2013, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by iamhifi

go with your dream

Not only go with your dream but live it too in the now, and every single day.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by LL21

Both good speakers...Futura could almost be described as the SF that TAD designed. Much straight up linear. SF Strad bears the softer nuances and flow that Franco Serblin breathed into each of his creations. Maybe its linear but probably not...but then again for those who love it...do they really care? And by the way, with a very very high current, organic amplifier, you will provide this with the energy to drive the bass with power, control and always the organic tune that again was part of every Serblin design.

Thanks Lloyd.

Originally Posted by VT Skier

Joe, you know I've heard them all, other than (one pair of) Mike's former speakers, and the Strad remains my favorite SF speaker. They'll need to go downstairs though, and I would recommend a SS amp if you're going to build a system around them. If not, your CJ should be just fine.

I appreciate your input Jon. I have time (and a little more experience) to make up my mind this time. More searching and listening is in order. The Strads are more emotional for me, but that is not the say the S3/S5 can't be. I need to hear them again. Mike was moved by the Alexia. I like them too, but need to focus on what I want to hear long term. Believe it or not, the next (major) speaker purchase should be keepers.

**Mike** · November 26, 2013, 05:46 PM

My opinion is that the Strads need a wide room. My 15 feet was barely enough and in the opinion of many, not quite enough. 20 feet would be ideal.

**Paul** · November 26, 2013, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Believe it or not, the next (major) speaker purchase should be keepers.

I Believe you Joe. Good luck 2 you In your research.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

My opinion is that the Strads need a wide room. My 15 feet was barely enough and in the opinion of many, not quite enough. 20 feet would be ideal.

In my room, I have a 20-22' wall that they would go in front of but the part of the room they would fire into is 15' wide. Think of an L-shaped room.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

I Believe you Joe. Good luck 2 you In your research.

Ha!

I get it.

Very smart Paul.

**sharkmouth** · November 26, 2013, 06:12 PM

Raised...

MayBe Joe you need 2 find a pair of Strads to live with for awhile to see if they are indeed the 1!

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 06:23 PM

Ha!

You guys are too much. Hmmm. All good choices.

**highEndguy** · November 26, 2013, 07:06 PM

Joe,
I have the same situation with the Futuras
I really love them but they need at least 4" of back wall and I don't have it ,

They sound for me like a dream, maybe is my taste ? and don't want to start with the delicacy of the curves and quality of craftsmanship.

Hope you can make your dreams come true, Joe.

N.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 07:16 PM

My first choice/love are the Strads. Where there is a will there is a way. Thanks! I just want to be sure.

**iamhifi** · November 26, 2013, 09:36 PM

Joe I know that you think placement is an issue with Futura’s, I find they work fine anywhere if you can have them away from the back wall about a meter, where I have them now is way open in front and man they still perform well. Keep in mind the Tweeter and the Mid is the same as the Stradivari, maybe someone with knowledge can shine on this. I also find the bass to be deeper than the Stradivari and have the same mid and highs and as polite and very real. Have a listen.

**joeinid** · November 26, 2013, 09:40 PM

I plan on hearing as much as I can before purchase.

**NorthStar** · November 26, 2013, 09:48 PM

Wise plan.

**joeinid** · November 27, 2013, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by NorthStar

Wise plan.

Let's see how long I can hold out

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