Amplifier for Sonus Faber Cremona M

Mezzanine,

Listening is certainly the best way to know. FWIW, both the friend who had Cremona Ms + 2xMC275 and me prefer a Lamm LL2 preamp to a McIntosh tube preamp. Ergonomics are certainly better on the Mc, but the sound of the Lamm is far better with the MC275. I realize this will be a second step for you, but wanted to encourage you to go step by step (speakers + amp first, then pre).

Enjoy the trip to Magnolia!

Hi guys.Not trying to hijack this thread but I just last week picked up a pair of brand new(factory sealed boxes)S.F.Toy Towers for a REAL steal & have been researching integrated amps to drive them.
In your positive listening experiences with the Marantz PM 8004 & the Cremona's were there any areas where the Marantz let the Cremona's down(sound staging,imaging,etc...)& how was the tonal characteristics of the Cremona's(typically Sonus Faber VERY slightly recessed treble)affected by the Marantz?Do you guys really feel the Marantz would be as good as say a Unison Unico Primo(at almost 3 times more expensive)?Thanks very much,take care...

Hi Freedriver, welcome to this thread. No you not hijacking anything. You have some good questions. I owned the Marantz PM8004 for about a month in my second system. The Cremona M's at Magnolia that I listened to were not hooked up to the PM8004 they were hooked up to the Marantz PM15S2 Limited, $2500. Differences? I think the 15S2 is a bit more powerful and a little smoother sounding than the PM8004. Anyways, I sold my PM8004 even though it did almost everything well. Why did I sell it? There was a brightness in the upper midrange and lower treble that I couldn't live with. A) It may not have been broken in all the way in just 30 days. B) It might not have been a good match with my Proac's. The PM15S2 hooked up to the Cremona M's sounded great and I didn't notice any of that brightness. I never heard the Unison Unico but I am sure it would be very nice. I did hear the Pathos One Mk3 and it sounded pretty good. Looks awesome too. If you only want to spend $1000 then the PM 8004 should be a good match for your new Toy towers. I can't think of another solid state integrated at the price range that would be a better match or sound as good with Sonus Faber's. If you like tubes then for $1200 you could get a Jolida 502BRC EL-84 tube integrated. Heard that and it's really good for the price. You could also get a Rogue Cronus. For around $1500 you could check out the hybrid solid/tube integrated from Sytnthesis Audio called the Magnum. I own one of their beautiful wood in cased tube tuners and love it. They are not well known in the States but you can contact DeJa Vu Audio. They are the importer of the line. Then you can have an all Italian system. Good luck. Let us know what you decided on.

@ Lewinskih01

Thanks for the info. Never had the chance to hear Laam. I am sure Laam sounds great! I may hold off a purchase and attend the AXPONA in Chicago this spring time.

Freediver, one more idea. If you want to keep it all Italian you could buy the Italian made sold state integrated Audio Analogue Crescendo. Only $1000. Never heard it but something to look into. The reviews are pretty good. Audio Waves sells them. You can check online. They have some deal, only $850 and free shipping right now. Audio Analogue also makes some more expensive nice hybrid integrated amps.