Sonus Faber Concerto's amplification recomendations, PLEASE !

[Jorge Manuel da Silva Peres Ferreira]

I have a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto's speakers, and I need help for
the upgrade of my amplification.

As sources, I have a Linn LP12/Basic Plus Arm/Valhalla/Rega Elys
turntable that I like very mutch. I also have 2 tape decks, tuner and
cd player but the LP12 is my first source (and I will upgrade the arm
to a used Akito or Itok, the power suply to a Lingo and the cartridge
to a budget MC in the near future, by the way what budget MC's ?
Ortofon MC15?).

Now I have a Bill Beard CA-35 tube pre-amp and an Audio Note P2SE tube
power amp (parallel single ended, 6L6 kind of tubes, 16 watts).

As I told I am thinking of upgrading the turntable, but first I want
to change my amplification, because, I feel that the concerto's need
more power. With the Audio Note/concerto's partnership the
high-frequencies are a little harsh and edgy.

Now I have the chance to buy a second hand J.C.Verdier L'Amplificateur
tube power amp (50 watts), I already listened to it and it seems an
excellent amp compared with my Audio Note, but it as a kind of naim
sound (do you know what I mean), it doesn't seem like a tube amp. I
want more power, but I don't want the sound on my face and an
agressive sound neither. I listened the Verdier with two Pre-amp's, a
Linn and a Naim.

Can you help me on a pre-amp to use with the Verdier ?

I think the input impedance of the verdier is very dificult for tube
amps, is this true ?

I am also thinking on a Conrad Johnson Premier 11 stereo tube amp (70
watts), it as a more laid back sound compared with the Verdier, more
like tube sound in comparison, and I like that. Is it a good match
for the Concerto's, and what pre-amp to use ?

Could you be kind and tell me more amplifications for the Concerto's ?

Sorry about this long letter but I need help as you see.

Thank you very mutch in advance.

[Carmen Diaz]

>I have a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto's speakers, and I need help for
>the upgrade of my amplification.
>

>Now I have the chance to buy a second hand J.C.Verdier L'Amplificateur
>tube power amp (50 watts), I already listened to it and it seems an
>excellent amp compared with my Audio Note, but it as a kind of naim
>sound (do you know what I mean), it doesn't seem like a tube amp. I
>want more power, but I don't want the sound on my face and an
>agressive sound neither. I listened the Verdier with two Pre-amp's, a

>I am also thinking on a Conrad Johnson Premier 11 stereo tube amp (70

>watts), it as a more laid back sound compared with the Verdier, more
>like tube sound in comparison, and I like that. Is it a good match
>for the Concerto's, and what pre-amp to use ?
>
>Could you be kind and tell me more amplifications for the Concerto's ?

First I should say I have a pair of Concerto's and I love them.

In my opinion the Concerto's need a powerful amp. I just don't feel
the tube amps you are describing will bring out the true beauty of the
speakers. I feel a high power transistor amp is the only way to go.
The Concerto's can play at high volume levels and sound VERY GOOD
doing it. I recomend the the "VK200" from Balanced Audio Technology.
You will find this amp has a very tube like sound and has more power
than you might think a 100 watt per channel amp would have. Use a
high quality Tube preamp (with balanced outputs) and you will have a
system which will blow you away every time you hear it.

All the best,
Carmen

[Terry Rossen]

[quoted text deleted -- deb]

> >I have a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto's speakers, and I need help for
> >the upgrade of my amplification.

> >Now I have the chance to buy a second hand J.C.Verdier L'Amplificateur
> >tube power amp (50 watts), I already listened to it and it seems an
> >excellent amp compared with my Audio Note, but it as a kind of naim
> >sound (do you know what I mean), it doesn't seem like a tube amp. I
> >want more power, but I don't want the sound on my face and an
> >agressive sound neither. I listened the Verdier with two Pre-amp's, a

> >I am also thinking on a Conrad Johnson Premier 11 stereo tube amp (70
> >watts), it as a more laid back sound compared with the Verdier, more
> >like tube sound in comparison, and I like that. Is it a good match
> >for the Concerto's, and what pre-amp to use ?

> >Could you be kind and tell me more amplifications for the Concerto's ?

[quoted text deleted -- deb]

Hello,

I would recommend the Clayton Audio S-40 Stereo amp or their M-70
monoblocks for a perfect match. High current, pure Class A solid
state design that combines the best qualities of any tube amp (at any
price)and the best of the best Class A solid states without any
negatives...IMHO, plus no tubes to replace! Elegance, finesse,
realism, tonally correct.

Best Regards,

Terry