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Sonus faber Cremona M with Prima Luna DiaLogue One

I currently own a Prima Luna DiaLogue One integrated amplifier (around 38 watts in ultra-linear mode with EL-34 tubes) driving a pair of Sonus faber Toy Towers (8 ohms, 89db/2.83v). I ended up replacing the stock EL-34's with Gold Lion KT-88's (Russian re-issue), which added quite a bit of power and control, and I have to say that I love the combination.

Source is an Oppo 95, a Squeezebox Touch, and a Pro-Ject RPM 5.1SE. Cables are mostly Nordost (Brahma and Vishnu power cord, Heimdall and Red Dawn LS interconnects, plus Audioquest speaker cable).

I am contemplating upgrading to the Sonus faber Cremona M floorstander, which I always loved and was never able to afford, until now. These are 4 ohm and 91db/2.83V, and, to my eyes, one of the most beautiful speakers I've seen, regardless of price.

I spoke to Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio, among other people with experience when it comes to both Sonus faber and Prima Luna, and everybody assures me that the combination should not be a problem at all. My room is small (second bedroom in a 1500 sq/feet condo) and my listening preferences include classical/jazz (mostly orchestral, but also love violin/string concertos) and lots of soundtracks (big Ennio Morricone fan), but I also love hard/progressive rock (anything from Deep Purple/Yes to Iron Maiden and contemporary doom metal and things like Mogwai). In other words: eclectic.

Do you think it'd be wise of me to upgrade the speakers? I love the Prima Luna and would not really like to "upgrade" that as well. Not to mention, I do not want to incur in an additional cost if I end up spending thousands for the Cremonas...

Some people even mentioned that the Cremonas should be easier to drive than the Toy Towers, but I do not fully understand the reasoning behind this.

Any users with a similar combination of speaker/amp?Any advice and feedback is appreciated.
beyondarkness
beyondarkness OP
24 posts
 
I haven't made up my mind yet, and unfortunately it looks like I won't have the luxury of an in-home audition. So this would be a big risk on my part if I place the order and my amp ends-up not being able to properly drive the Cremonas...

Anybody else that would like to comment and/or add to this thread? Nobody else has any experience with a similar Prima Luna and SF combo?
mikirob
950 posts
 
You should listen to Kevin at Upscale, he is a straight-shooter, does not mislead folks, is truly an expert on Primaluna as well as Sonus Faber. In addition he is one of the best tube gurus around. I did buy my Primaluna Dialogue 1 from him. I have no axe to grind and I am in no way affiliated with Kevin or Upscale.
egoben
56 posts
 
Personally, I would spend some extra money and time to make sure your amp really works with the Cremona M's. Meaning, if you can't do an in home audiotion, you should take your amp to the place that sells the speakers, often hifi stores have small rooms aswell as big. Or at least try them with a similar tube amplifier. If that isn't possible either, maybe you won't lose too much money if you decide the new speakers actually weren't a good match? Practically new Sonus Faber's should be worth quite a lot even second hand.
mikirob
950 posts
 
I should also mention that I do not own Sonus Faber Cremona speakers, but I have listened to this combo at my brother's house. My Dialogue One, his Cremona. Excellent match. Mid-range and above superb. Bass very good and sure a big SS would give you a small gain there at the expense of everything else most likely. I'm not a SS guy, bottle head all the way. My brother usually pairs his Cremona's with Leben CS600, a fine integrated tube amp; he also has Harbeth HL5s and some other cool stuff. iit sounds from your comments above, you will like the Luna/Cremona combo.
antman
9 posts
 
I have no problem with my SF Cremona (originals) and PL Dialogue Prem Int-Amp.. Sound wonderfull using Cyro-GL KT88 and Mazda 12au7.
But I will have my Newly Release PL Diaogue Premium Mono-Block and Pre-amp next week. Hope that will be an huge improvement.
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