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

Right now, by far, the SIT3 is head and shoulders above the rest, especially for solid state. If I had to pick only one amp, the SIT3 wins.

I think the Duo prefer tubes and the Luxman MQ300 and Wooden amp are best for different reasons. The Luxman has a fuller and sweeter tone while the Wooden amp is a little more lively and airy with a more balanced presentation.



Alpinist said:
But seriously, Joe, you have some amazing speakers in the Avant-Garde Duo XD’s. What’s your favorite amp on them in your stable?

Best,
Ken
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I’m late to this thread and just recently discovered AudioShark.

I was able to locate a late vintage pair of SF Stradivari (2015 build) in mint condition. I’ve heard many speakers including the newer line of SF including my Amati Futura’s which I still own as well as Wilson models at my local SF/Wilson dealer. To my ears, the Strads are magical and my favorite speakers. Just my 2 cents.
 
Hi RLF,

Congratulations on a great find. The Strads are wonderful and with your Ayre gear, I know they are spectacular. Enjoy!
 
joeinid said:
Hi RLF,

Congratulations on a great find. The Strads are wonderful and with your Ayre gear, I know they are spectacular. Enjoy!
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Thanks joeinid. Yes, a great find and the sound that I was looking for. They do sound great with my Ayre gear. I remember that you once owned a pair.
 
I did. I had the Ayre combo too but don’t remember if I had them on my Strads. I wish I kept notes. I think the Ayre/Strad combo is near impossible to beat.
 
The Strads was constructed quite some time ago and I think Franco was ahead of his time in many ways and todays gains in amplifier designs show that Strads are still delivering more than ever. Of course I am very biased with my own pair in service :) Anyway I have heard and have some other Franco designs that show the same SQ gains with todays electronics still 30 years after being designed. Kudos to Franc!!!

Mike
 
Strads still use what has to be considered current drive unit technology. All of those drive units are used to this day in varoius current speakers. At the time they have been launched - they were simply state of the art:

Stradivati 8.jpg

Stradivati 9.jpg
 
Adam,
any difference between these and the 35th Anniversary that you know of?
Thanks
 
joeinid said:
I did. I had the Ayre combo too but don’t remember if I had them on my Strads. I wish I kept notes. I think the Ayre/Strad combo is near impossible to beat.
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Yes I did have that combo. Man that was great!

E8BF837D-7345-4540-95A5-D479DC798D95.jpeg
 
Joe,
this red color is really beautiful too...
Any particular reason you let them go? Or just the itch to try something else?
 
Lucidear said:
Joe,
this red color is really beautiful too...
Any particular reason you let them go? Or just the itch to try something else?
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Thank you.

Just an itch for horns. Now I have Avantgarde duo XD and I’m very happy. The Strads still hold a special place in my heart.
 
Thanks Joe
They sound like they don't have that clinical separation that the likes of Magicos have, but top to bottom they sound really musical and enjoyable...
enjoy your horns...
best
 
That is what I have now including the Ayre. To my ears, the Ayre R series sound great with the Strads. My Strads are of a late manufacture date done in the original “Red” finish. However, I love the color of these pictured here which appear to be the same finish as my Amati Futuras.



joeinid said:
Yes I did have that combo. Man that was great!

View attachment 28253
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Sometimes we don’t realize how good we had it until it’s gone.

The whole package is better than the sum of the parts. The synergy was outstanding.
 
joeinid said:
Sometimes we don’t realize how good we had it until it’s gone.

The whole package is better than the sum of the parts. The synergy was outstanding.
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Hi Joe,

I absolutely agree. I’ve sold a few things that I’ve latter regretted selling. I almost sold my SF Amati Futura’s when I bought my SF Strad’s, but fortunately I pulled out at the last minute. The AF sound fantastic in my HT system.
 
What is it about Strad/Amp combos?

You guys heard it with the Ayres, I have it with McIntosh MC2301s. What is it that makes that synergy? I ask to understand what other amps I might list after. ;)
 
crwilli said:
What is it about Strad/Amp combos?

You guys heard it with the Ayres, I have it with McIntosh MC2301s. What is it that makes that synergy? I ask to understand what other amps I might list after. ;)
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One thing I regret is that I fell in love with the Strads when I heard them with MC2301 and a C500T at the time. Why I never got the 2301 for my home, I’ll never know. I even had several opportunities to make it happen but for some reason never did. That was a mistake on my part.
 
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