Well, my quest for speakers is over for now. I have plonked down dough for a pair of limited edition Palladio Sonus Faber Stradivari. Only 25 pairs were produced worldwide with upgraded terminals and wiring in silver, palladium and rhodium as opposed to gold on the standard version.

Of course I realise that the Red Violin colour is to many the depiction of SF. My Memontos used to be in Red Violin I think that the Strads look very nice in Palladio Natural Maple colour. A little bit scandinavian in look, if you know what I mean and less dominating in a living room setting.

Photos below are from the web. Mine will have to wait as they are coming directly out of the Sonus Faber Factory in Italy.

Wow -- congrats Howie -- I saw a pair of these in pictures just recently -- yes, rare is the word when one considers you'll own a pair w/serial numbers somewhere between 1 of 25.

Just awesome -- I'm sold on Elipsas after hearing them recently with my amps and preamps.

Congratulations.

Bob

__________________
Amps: MC2301 tube mono's/dedicated 20A breakers.
Preamp: C500C/C500T
Digital Source: MCD1100 CD/SACD
Analogue Sources: SME 20/2 w/SME V arm and Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences.
Vibration Control: Nordost "TC" Sort Kones under CD/SACD & C500 and "AC" under amps. Shakti stones on amps.
Speakers: Sonus Faber Stradivari
Power Isolation: Isoclean PT-3030G III 3KVA Isolation Transformer w/Isoclean Super Focus In/Out Cables.
Power Bar: Isoclean ICP 206 Non-Filtered Power Bar.
Power Cables: Wireworld Platinum Electra on amps, preamp, CD/SACD.
Power Outlets: Isoclean ICP-003 Power Wall Socket.
Speaker Cables: Wireworld Platinum Eclipse
Signal Cables: WireWorld Platinum Eclipse XLR's on MCD500 & C500T to MC2301's.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD-650's and Koss Pro IV AA.
Tube Test Gear: Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A & current SOTA MaxiMatcher tube test sets.

How Awesome is that! I speak from first hand experience; you will love them Howie.

CONGRAD'S!

__________________
FLORIDA
MX136, C15, MC206, MC162(2) MC402, MC1.2KW(12) MC2KW(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS300(2) MCD301, MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, MCD1000, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) R778, OPPO-BDP95, GRACE M902 AMP, PS AUDIO PPP(8) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 600(8) RGPC 1200(20) RGPC POLE PIG(4) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, SVS LIFT, STEWART STUDIOTEK 110" MOTORIZED SCREEN, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, SENNHEISER HD800, GOLD LION TUBES, WIREWORLD GOLD ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...9-dsc-1198.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_1208.jpg

CAPE COD
MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS750(2) MVP881, MEN220, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) CAMBRIDGE NP30, ELITE BDP-09FD, BENCHMARK DAC-1 HDR, BRYSTON BDA-1 DAC, OPPO-BDP95, SPL PHONITOR, PS AUDIO PPP(10) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 1200(15) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113(2) SOUND ANCHOR SUB STANDS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART STUDIOTEK 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, URC MX-6000 REMOTE, NAKAMICHI DRAGON, TEAC X2000R R2R, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, FORTRESS SEATING, HRS DAMPING PLATES & NIMBUS COUPLERS, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, ULTRASONE ED-10, GOLD LIONS, WIREWORLD GOLD & PLATINUM ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The 2-Channel Room & Theater" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...0&d=1327845807 - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3310.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...r-dsc_0941.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...0-dsc-0956.jpg

Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD TT, CA OUTER RING & CLAMP, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER CART, CLEARAUDIO DOUBLE SMART MATRIX CLEANER, HRS-MXR CUSTOM 4V RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIGNATURE PHONO-PRE, PS AUDIO PPP, RGPC 1200, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Analog Rig" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2528.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3313.jpg

Game Room: BRYSTON BP-26 PRE-AMP, BDA-1 DAC, BDP-1 MEDIA PLAYER, BCD-1 CD PLAYER, MPS-2 POWER SUPPLY, 28B-SST2 MONOBLOCKS, MAGNUM DYNALAB MD-105T TUNER, OLIVE 04HD, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSAL BR PLAYER, KRELL KID, RGPC 1200(2) PS AUDIO PPP(2) SONUS FABER AMATI FUTURA'S IN RED FINISH, JL AUDIO IWS-SYS-2, SALAMANDER SYNERGY TRIPLE 30 RACK, SONY KDL-52XBR9, URC MX-980 REMOTE, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Game Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2459.jpg- - -http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...s-dsc_2736.jpg

New Reference System: BURMESTER 911 MK3 AMP(2), 089 CD PLAYER, 088 PRE-AMP, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP LOADED, 111 MUSIC SERVER, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, DYNAVECTOR XV-1S CART, HRS-SXR CUSTOM 2V-3V-2V RACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES & PC'S, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS RED

Congratulations Howie!

Now, the next difficult guess .... amps ..... ???

__________________
Turntable
Dr. Feickert Twin-DFA
TriPlanar Mk VII UII
Miyajima Shilabe Cartridge
Lehmann Black Cube SE Decade

Meridian
504 FM Tuner
Sooloos C15
Twinstore [3TBx2]
808i.3 CD/DAC/Preamp
800v4 CD/DVD AV Computer (DAX)
DSP8k SL Speakers

Multi Player
Oppo BDP83se NuForce Edition

Power Dist & Cables
Shunyata Hydra Talos
Shunyata Venom 3

Interconnects
Cardas Clear

Extra Gears
AKG K701 Headphones

Easy MC2301's

__________________
FLORIDA
MX136, C15, MC206, MC162(2) MC402, MC1.2KW(12) MC2KW(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS300(2) MCD301, MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, MCD1000, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) R778, OPPO-BDP95, GRACE M902 AMP, PS AUDIO PPP(8) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 600(8) RGPC 1200(20) RGPC POLE PIG(4) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, SVS LIFT, STEWART STUDIOTEK 110" MOTORIZED SCREEN, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, SENNHEISER HD800, GOLD LION TUBES, WIREWORLD GOLD ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...9-dsc-1198.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_1208.jpg

CAPE COD
MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS750(2) MVP881, MEN220, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) CAMBRIDGE NP30, ELITE BDP-09FD, BENCHMARK DAC-1 HDR, BRYSTON BDA-1 DAC, OPPO-BDP95, SPL PHONITOR, PS AUDIO PPP(10) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 1200(15) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113(2) SOUND ANCHOR SUB STANDS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART STUDIOTEK 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, URC MX-6000 REMOTE, NAKAMICHI DRAGON, TEAC X2000R R2R, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, FORTRESS SEATING, HRS DAMPING PLATES & NIMBUS COUPLERS, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, ULTRASONE ED-10, GOLD LIONS, WIREWORLD GOLD & PLATINUM ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The 2-Channel Room & Theater" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...0&d=1327845807 - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3310.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...r-dsc_0941.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...0-dsc-0956.jpg

Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD TT, CA OUTER RING & CLAMP, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER CART, CLEARAUDIO DOUBLE SMART MATRIX CLEANER, HRS-MXR CUSTOM 4V RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIGNATURE PHONO-PRE, PS AUDIO PPP, RGPC 1200, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Analog Rig" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2528.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3313.jpg

Game Room: BRYSTON BP-26 PRE-AMP, BDA-1 DAC, BDP-1 MEDIA PLAYER, BCD-1 CD PLAYER, MPS-2 POWER SUPPLY, 28B-SST2 MONOBLOCKS, MAGNUM DYNALAB MD-105T TUNER, OLIVE 04HD, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSAL BR PLAYER, KRELL KID, RGPC 1200(2) PS AUDIO PPP(2) SONUS FABER AMATI FUTURA'S IN RED FINISH, JL AUDIO IWS-SYS-2, SALAMANDER SYNERGY TRIPLE 30 RACK, SONY KDL-52XBR9, URC MX-980 REMOTE, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Game Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2459.jpg- - -http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...s-dsc_2736.jpg

New Reference System: BURMESTER 911 MK3 AMP(2), 089 CD PLAYER, 088 PRE-AMP, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP LOADED, 111 MUSIC SERVER, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, DYNAVECTOR XV-1S CART, HRS-SXR CUSTOM 2V-3V-2V RACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES & PC'S, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS RED

How much flour did it take to make that amount of dough? May have to hit the grocery store tomorrow -- (hope they have it on sale.....).

Just had to Howie.

Bob

__________________
Amps: MC2301 tube mono's/dedicated 20A breakers.
Preamp: C500C/C500T
Digital Source: MCD1100 CD/SACD
Analogue Sources: SME 20/2 w/SME V arm and Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences.
Vibration Control: Nordost "TC" Sort Kones under CD/SACD & C500 and "AC" under amps. Shakti stones on amps.
Speakers: Sonus Faber Stradivari
Power Isolation: Isoclean PT-3030G III 3KVA Isolation Transformer w/Isoclean Super Focus In/Out Cables.
Power Bar: Isoclean ICP 206 Non-Filtered Power Bar.
Power Cables: Wireworld Platinum Electra on amps, preamp, CD/SACD.
Power Outlets: Isoclean ICP-003 Power Wall Socket.
Speaker Cables: Wireworld Platinum Eclipse
Signal Cables: WireWorld Platinum Eclipse XLR's on MCD500 & C500T to MC2301's.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD-650's and Koss Pro IV AA.
Tube Test Gear: Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A & current SOTA MaxiMatcher tube test sets.

Howie,
One word: sweeeeeet!

Way to go man!

__________________
B&W 802D(2) B&W HTMD2 B&W 803D(2) B&W ASW825 McIntosh MC501(3) MC402 MX-136 MVP-871 Benchmark DAC1 Apple Mac Mini Rega P3-24 RGPC 400 pro WireWorld interconnects

My Strad's adore Wireworld Platinum Eclipse speaker cables...

__________________
FLORIDA
MX136, C15, MC206, MC162(2) MC402, MC1.2KW(12) MC2KW(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS300(2) MCD301, MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, MCD1000, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) R778, OPPO-BDP95, GRACE M902 AMP, PS AUDIO PPP(8) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 600(8) RGPC 1200(20) RGPC POLE PIG(4) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, SVS LIFT, STEWART STUDIOTEK 110" MOTORIZED SCREEN, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, SENNHEISER HD800, GOLD LION TUBES, WIREWORLD GOLD ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...9-dsc-1198.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_1208.jpg

CAPE COD
MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS750(2) MVP881, MEN220, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) CAMBRIDGE NP30, ELITE BDP-09FD, BENCHMARK DAC-1 HDR, BRYSTON BDA-1 DAC, OPPO-BDP95, SPL PHONITOR, PS AUDIO PPP(10) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 1200(15) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113(2) SOUND ANCHOR SUB STANDS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART STUDIOTEK 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, URC MX-6000 REMOTE, NAKAMICHI DRAGON, TEAC X2000R R2R, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, FORTRESS SEATING, HRS DAMPING PLATES & NIMBUS COUPLERS, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, ULTRASONE ED-10, GOLD LIONS, WIREWORLD GOLD & PLATINUM ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The 2-Channel Room & Theater" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...0&d=1327845807 - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3310.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...r-dsc_0941.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...0-dsc-0956.jpg

Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD TT, CA OUTER RING & CLAMP, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER CART, CLEARAUDIO DOUBLE SMART MATRIX CLEANER, HRS-MXR CUSTOM 4V RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIGNATURE PHONO-PRE, PS AUDIO PPP, RGPC 1200, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Analog Rig" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2528.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3313.jpg

Game Room: BRYSTON BP-26 PRE-AMP, BDA-1 DAC, BDP-1 MEDIA PLAYER, BCD-1 CD PLAYER, MPS-2 POWER SUPPLY, 28B-SST2 MONOBLOCKS, MAGNUM DYNALAB MD-105T TUNER, OLIVE 04HD, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSAL BR PLAYER, KRELL KID, RGPC 1200(2) PS AUDIO PPP(2) SONUS FABER AMATI FUTURA'S IN RED FINISH, JL AUDIO IWS-SYS-2, SALAMANDER SYNERGY TRIPLE 30 RACK, SONY KDL-52XBR9, URC MX-980 REMOTE, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Game Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2459.jpg- - -http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...s-dsc_2736.jpg

New Reference System: BURMESTER 911 MK3 AMP(2), 089 CD PLAYER, 088 PRE-AMP, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP LOADED, 111 MUSIC SERVER, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, DYNAVECTOR XV-1S CART, HRS-SXR CUSTOM 2V-3V-2V RACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES & PC'S, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS RED

Howie,
Congratulations on your new Strads., to me they are the best speakers you can put in your home . You are going to love the way they sound. Welcome back to Sonus Faber. Looking forward to your review and pictures. When will you have them ?

Howie,

Beautiful speakers. I believe that you have made a wise choice sonically, fiscally, and cosmetically.

Congrats!!!

Now, for the amps....

__________________
Shindo/DeVore Super 8's

One good thing about music: When it hits you, you feel no pain.

Bob Marley