Sonus Fabers and Dagostinos

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,552
in 2 Channel Audio
So over here in Chicago listening to a killer system. One listen, better than my system as it stands... Will go into details later. Some pics.

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Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    I've heard the D'Agostinos with Wilsons and the Aida's. Amazing electronics. I can't wait to hear what you think.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    Another system... Yes, six (count them) REL Gibraltar 1 subwoofers.

    Sonus faber Amati Futuras. T+A electronics.

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    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,157
    That is really something else...
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    It was amazing. I have decided, I need the Strads in my possession someday. I heard the Elipsa SE today, baby of the Strads, and they reminded me a lot of what I heard when I heard the Strads several months ago.

    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • brianle
    brianle Posts: 572
    The tweeters of the Aida are a little bit high, aren't they? How did they sound?
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    edited April 2015
    Didn't really listen to the Aida's since I would rather keep my ears off of things I cannot afford or am not in the market to buy... Otherwise it'll just lead me to either spend more or be disappointed in what I'm getting.

    But yes, these flat baffle sonus faber speakers have a very coherent and nice sound presentation to them. Very enjoyable and probably my #1 choice of reproduction... This 2nd visit confirmed my thought on the initial visit. There is something remarkably 3D about them.

    And the Dags... Geez. Talk about a great amp. I would love to own a pair or their integrated someday.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    It's not too early to start picking off all the other heirs to the family fortune Joey. ;)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
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    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    edited April 2015
    tonyb wrote: »
    It's not too early to start picking off all the other heirs to the family fortune Joey. ;)

    Hahah Tony my friend... Its like you have heard the conversations I've had with my wife.

    :#

    But yeah, a leash is being put on me as my wife has noticed my obsessive compulsive behavior with speakers round 2. She does make a good point, every dollar I spend on audio takes a dollar + % invested.

    Ah well, a guy can dream right?



    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited April 2015
    Amen to that pal. One has to focus on what one can afford though. I would love a 40 ft. boat too but I don't look at them because of the obvious.

    If I'm a sibling of yours, I might worry a tad next time you have a family dinner. lol
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    Joey did you ask the guy about trading your gear towards the gear you heard?
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    xsmi wrote: »
    Joey did you ask the guy about trading your gear towards the gear you heard?

    No, I thought about buying a new system and keeping the one I have now. Both are good at different things, but getting a Strad definitely is my end game speaker. I have not heard anything that remotely touches it.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    Thank you for sharing.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    edited April 2015
    engtaz wrote: »
    Thank you for sharing.

    No problem. Figured a little eye candy is always appreciated.

    Basically - I heard 2 systems that day. SF Elipsa SE and the SF Amati Futura.

    I thought the Amati Futura was highly resolving and had a very sweet top end. Not hard or harsh at all. Surprisingly, I heard the Elipsa SE's treble to be a little sharper at some parts of the demo. Not sibilant or harsh, but just a bit more zing to it at times... which I did not expect. I try to recall if the SF Stradivari had this characteristic, and I do not recall so.

    The Amati's imaging was superb, pinpoint and I'm sure it does help that their front end was better than what I'm using at home. The soundscape was very much similar to my 802 diamonds. I would say the Amati Futura is definitely very resolute, similar to the 802 diamonds and is supposed to be similar in character to the Magico Q3 that the dealer also had but I could not audition because of time restraints.

    However, the Elipsa SE imaging was a little more 3D for some reason and I am assuming it was the flat front baffle contributing to this effect. I recall a very similar and probably more palpable presentation with the Strads. Basically, the music was just much more real than most anything I've heard of to this point. It had force and this weird ability to "throw" energy at you and it's not a function of volume or sheer loudness... it's a very odd presentation of music that just seems palpably real.

    I think the SE did not have the slam of the Strads... but I think the freakish D'agostinos really have a rock solid hold on the woofers as bass was superb even on the smaller Elipsa SE.

    It's no wonder that the guy who I bought my Cary 211FE from upgraded to the D'agostino mono blocks - it's just the natural progression in awesomeness.

    My dream would be to buy the SF Stradivari and plonk it down in my system along with the BW 802 diamond. I would have the best of all worlds.

    So yeah, the Amati Futura and 802 diamond are resolute hounds.... while the Strads are full bodied, musical making machines... and the Elipsa SE give you a taste of the Strads.

    If you never heard the Strads and you only heard the SE, you'd be thinking to yourself - this is probably enough speaker for me to last the rest of my life.

    Until you hear the Strads. Hahaha

    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    Zero wrote: »
    Told ya. :D

    You little punk... you like being right huh?
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • WastelandWand'r
    WastelandWand'r Posts: 466
    Joey,
    Is this at a dealer or someone's home?
    Beautiful for sure.
    N
    Home Rig

    SDA 2.3TL's front and center
    Polk 1000p Center
    Pioneer Elite SC35 Receiver (Pre/Surround
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 5X200-Back in the mix.
    OPPO BDP-93
    Squeezebox
    Stepped up to name brand Speaker Cables and interconnects!
    Monitor 4, 5, 7, 10's, SDA 1B's, 2B's, 2.3TL's, RTA 15TL's all in storage waiting for me.
    Sales Rating #1!!
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    Joey_V wrote: »
    So over here in Chicago listening to a killer system. One listen, better than my system as it stands... Will go into details later. Some pics.

    Where in Chicago were the Aidas set up?

    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    Quintessence audio.

    The Aida's were at a dealer. I have noticed that owners of gear like Aida's are very busy and it's tough to get face time with them.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    So it's official, the wife gave the thumbs up to go for the strads.

    Now I just have to find the right one and start the process to unload the 802 diamonds sadly.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    Hahaha... Got a lecture from the wife about how I am obsessive with this audio stuff...

    She said it will never end - I told her nothing after the Strads.

    Although in my head I was plotting on how I can keep both the 802 and the strads...
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    I do the same thing bro. I pick something up with the promise to move other stuff...now I have a storage unit dedicated to bikes and audio gear.

    I have a problem but they say the first step to fixing it is to admit there is a problem. ;)
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    I told her that I don't have a problem.

    She said to me - don't you find this concerning?

    I said - no.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    Good god Joey...your wife and mine seem to be taking lessons from each other.
    I mentioned a pair of Salks over the weekend and she told me to get them if I wanted them. *sigh* Damned enablers!

    o:)
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    I want to know what bar you guys hang out at that houses such agreeable women. They are giving other women a bad rap.

    Those Dags have got to be one of the best darn looking amps ever.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    Met mine on the Internet.

    Even though we literally worked 50 yards from each other in the same building on teams that regularly interacted at the same time...I knew her name but had never met her.
    We fell in love over our mutual disdain for our management who were the biggest reasons that our departments got down-sized.

    Believe it or not, there are times when I really wish she would just say no instead of giving me the option and making me think my own way through a problem!
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    Nope Skip, never in person. Kinda afraid to.....think I can only get half that for the grandkids.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2015
    DSkip wrote: »
    tonyb wrote: »
    Those Dags have got to be one of the best darn looking amps ever.

    Have you seen them in person? They are hard to take your eyes off. I never heard the one I saw, but it would've been the best looking $30k paperweight I could buy.
    you have to make an appointment so they can shine them up and find the precise location for them. :D
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    tonyb wrote: »
    Nope Skip, never in person. Kinda afraid to.....think I can only get half that for the grandkids.

    I softly caress them when I see them at the dealer...
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    Joey_V wrote: »
    tonyb wrote: »
    Nope Skip, never in person. Kinda afraid to.....think I can only get half that for the grandkids.

    I softly caress them when I see them at the dealer...

    I've got a feeling once the Strads are in house, your gonna caress them all right....with every part of your naked body. lol Maybe the wife's too.

    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    Funny...I do that to the Q3s at my buddy's shop...he's always like "What're you doing??!!" and "Put your clothes back on!!!" and "Get out of here you pervert!!!"

    I don't understand the issue.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,552
    Keep your clothes on bro!!!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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