Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT OFD 25 & OFD 65 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Wavelength Proton USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer with Apple iTunes v.10.2.2, Decibel v.1.0.2 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne.
Loudspeakers: Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE, Quad ESL.
Cables: USB: Nordost Blue Heaven. Interconnect: Audio Note AN-Vx, Shindo Silver, AudioQuest Columbia, Nordost Blue Heaven. Speaker: Auditorium 23. AC: Ocellia Reference.
Accessories: Box Furniture Company D3S rack (source & amplification components), Keith Monks record-cleaning machine.—Art Dudley

COMPANY INFO
Sonus Faber SPA
US distributor: Sumiko
2431 Fifth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 843-4500
www.sumikoaudio.net
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Dan Moroboshi's picture
Submitted by Dan Moroboshi on February 4, 2012 - 2:13am

I do respect from all of Art's considerations and my interpretation from all of that is that a gear in the system should match to the other components of the system. I interpretated that those Sonus Faber did not match with the tube amp (and magnificent) from Art.

I sugest a follow up with more juice (power) and solid state amplifiers. I think that Art also comment of this possibility on the review, right?

Doctor Fine's picture
Submitted by Doctor Fine on March 5, 2012 - 4:43am

Great review, Art.  I too find the Guarneri series in its earlier incarnations to be especially intolerant of anything less than a fully "locked in" room placement.  The Sumiko Masters Method of finding room modes that load this speaker is an absolutely essential component of its performance.

The thing about Sonus Faber your readers might not have comprehended is that there is much pleasure in simply owning them so that you can look at them.  Like having a fine concert violin out in your room as a decorative prop and reminder of things handmade (the name "Sonus Faber" refers to hand-made sound, there's your hyphen again).

Not to take anything away from the Wilson Sophia, in comparison,  which is also an incredible speaker and handsome in its way, but looking at the Sonus sure beats looking at damn near anybody else's box...

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