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Sonus-faber Amati vs Cremona

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I had auditioned two Sonus-faber speakers as candidate for my next main.
Previously I owned Monitor Audio GR60 which was very good speaker presenting me crystal clear sound stage and really good dynamic climax although it was bit cool and analytical most importantly revealing for older or poorer recordings.
This time I?fm looking for more musical sonority or mature expression in Sonus-faber which has been attracting me for long time since I visited Violin museum in Cremona, Italy where I could have a listen to Sonas-faber Guarneri.
The choice of Amati or Cremona is not only the issue of money but quality of sound reproduction as a music transducer and fitting to my room. Since my room is not so big as 4m x 7m, I assumed that Cremona is easier choice thinking about setting and tuning while Amati has long been the one I dream of.
The listening room in shop was like 7m x 9m. Clark claimed that source quality is arguably best while Amati was fed by Krell KPS25sc and FPB400cx. It looked, say, peace of junk but anyway, I thought it was good enough at least it?fs not tube which totally is not my taste.
Amati sounded rich and sweet as I expected. From Nagaokakyo ensemble hybrid SACD, Amati reproduced really good accurate sound stage with energetic deep bass. I felt seriously high tension from the performance that I forgot to breath! Aerial Boundaries of Michael Hedges sounded gigantic. There was no compromise between rich hall tone and detailed nuance. I could feel even string?fs vibration. Mahler Symphony Nr.5 of Inbal & Frankfurt SO, which was recorded by one-point mic, got huge depth and what impressed me was resolution that I hadn?ft expected in advance. Never lost movement of lower strings in Tutti. The Rite of Spring of Gergiev & Kirov Orch proved Amati has humongous dynamic range and brilliant overtone although climax for me was Hommage a Piazzolla of Gidon Kremer. The reality in this performance was breathtaking. I felt the trio was there! Real accompanying noise such as bowing or inhalation was making it even better. On the other hand, The Piano of Michael Nyman sounded distortedly with much standing wave which I think coming from room. All over, I was quite impressed with Amati?fs performance.
Meanwhile, Cremona is another quality speaker from Sonus-faber. To my surprise, it sounded quite differently from Amati. Cremona presented more calm-downed, solid and balanced sound. Bass was nicely deep if tight and never be boomy. While I felt coming-forward energy from Amati, Cremona showed deep and streamlined sound stage comparatively. Cremona got less standing wave from The Piano which maybe comes from different turnover or peak. Also, it has never been revealing or harsh in which I don?ft mean Cremona is dull
In the end, I became to think that Cremona is better completed speaker than Amati. Although, my conclusion was for Amati since I fell in love with whose energetic way of reciting.
Now I?fm looking forward to have a demo of Amati in my room tomorrow. If Amati wouldn?ft fit in my room, I would go for Cremona without any hesitation.


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Topic - Sonus-faber Amati vs Cremona - Take2 10:03:24 07/23/02 (7)


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