Blindjim and I have differing viewpoints regarding the Sonata III and amplification matches, which just goes to illustrate that we all have different preferences.
I also own Sonata III. I tried a handful of amps with them, including two tube amps: VAC 160 MusicBlocs (160 wpc KT88), and Atma-Sphere M-60 (60 wpc OTL). In all cases, a Lamm L2 Reference preamp was used.
Neither amp produced a balanced tonal response. In each case, bass was loose and uncontrolled, and was reproduced with less volume than were midrange and treble frequencies. The result was a tipped up sound.
For me, the absolute best match is Pass Labs XA-60.5 Class A solid state amps. Tremendously controlled and fully realized bass. Superb tonal balance. Alan Yun voices his speakers with Pass Labs, and he demonstrates them with Pass Labs at audio shows. He recommended Pass Labs to me when I asked about amplification. For several months I resisted spending the money and tried to find less expensive alternatives. Belles solid state amplification worked well, as did a couple of digital amps. However, in the end, Pass Labs was so clearly superior that I wrote the check.
That's my experience with the Sonata III. As I wrote initially, Blindjim has a different point of view, and frankly, I don't think either of us is right or wrong. It comes down to the listener.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy what I consider to be a more tube friendly speaker with a minimum nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a flat impedance curve (Sonata III do not have a flat impedance curve).
I also own Sonata III. I tried a handful of amps with them, including two tube amps: VAC 160 MusicBlocs (160 wpc KT88), and Atma-Sphere M-60 (60 wpc OTL). In all cases, a Lamm L2 Reference preamp was used.
Neither amp produced a balanced tonal response. In each case, bass was loose and uncontrolled, and was reproduced with less volume than were midrange and treble frequencies. The result was a tipped up sound.
For me, the absolute best match is Pass Labs XA-60.5 Class A solid state amps. Tremendously controlled and fully realized bass. Superb tonal balance. Alan Yun voices his speakers with Pass Labs, and he demonstrates them with Pass Labs at audio shows. He recommended Pass Labs to me when I asked about amplification. For several months I resisted spending the money and tried to find less expensive alternatives. Belles solid state amplification worked well, as did a couple of digital amps. However, in the end, Pass Labs was so clearly superior that I wrote the check.
That's my experience with the Sonata III. As I wrote initially, Blindjim has a different point of view, and frankly, I don't think either of us is right or wrong. It comes down to the listener.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy what I consider to be a more tube friendly speaker with a minimum nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a flat impedance curve (Sonata III do not have a flat impedance curve).