SF Cremona Auditor M: A Review

[miner]

Originally Posted by AyahAdam

Dear SoundEngine355,

I just came to realize that you were to pair the Auditors with MC501. Did you find the 500wpc "too big" for the Auditor's max 150wpc or was that OK?

I myself paired them with MC302 and had my own concern from overpowering the speakers...

Appreciate if you can share your experience.

Adam

I use a MC452 with my Ms - no problem with overpowering them. I rarely top 45 watts mean output

[usernamen]

Hi Guys, this is my first post here on AA.

I too have a question concerning amplification w/ the auditors.

At the moment I'm listening with a PrimaLuna Dialogue 1 and with the Sonus faber 'Toy Towers'.

Well, I have the chance to get my hands on a mint pair of cremona auditor m.

My question would be: can the primaluna tube amp handle the auditors, or would I have to step up some levels amp-wise to drive them properly?

kind regards,

pete

[joeinid]

Hi Pete,

Welcome!

[jwhite613]

usernamen... Welcome To AA!!!

[Masterlu]

usernamen... Welcome!

[esteban]

Originally Posted by usernamen

Hi Guys, this is my first post here on AA.

I too have a question concerning amplification w/ the auditors.

At the moment I'm listening with a PrimaLuna Dialogue 1 and with the Sonus faber 'Toy Towers'.

Well, I have the chance to get my hands on a mint pair of cremona auditor m.

My question would be: can the primaluna tube amp handle the auditors, or would I have to step up some levels amp-wise to drive them properly?

kind regards,

pete

I have the exact same system! Curious about the answers to this, since I am contemplating stepping up to the Cremona M floorstanders...

Welcome!

[chessman]

Pete, welcome aboard! Hopefully a Sonus Faber fan will have an answer for you soon.

[esteban]

Pete, since we both have the same integrated amplifier and speakers, I'm curious about your thoughts on the combination. Would you mind sharing what you like the most (or the least) about them? Again, just curious. I believe we are the only ones on the board with the Toy Towers. I personally think they are terrific little overachievers.

Hope you get some feedback on your original question as well.

[usernamen]

Hi esteban,

I own the ToyTowers for about a year and a half now and I have to agree on the overachievers part. Before I decided to choose hifi as my new 'hobby' I asked a colleague of mine who is an obsessive Sf-enthousiast and amati-owner about his opinion on the Toys and he immediately recommended them to me ("bang for the buck" and "perfect to begin with" were his words).

Well, I haven't been disappointed; I can't even think of a negative aspect of my system and I still think that Sf and tubes/hybrids are a match made in heaven.
The best thing about this particular combination is the non-fatiguing reproduction of music without any annoying highs, combined with an immersive stage if you consider the size of the TTs. The only thing I'm looking for in the near future is the 'disappearance-factor' which I think that the Cremona Auditors are incredible good at.
Since - as mentioned - I could get my hands on a decent pair of auditors I hope that I'll find some competent advice on wether my current amp will be suitable for them.

I've heard the auditors with to PrimaLuna monos and they sounded stunning; lets hope I'll get some good news and my dialogue one can drive them properly.

The thing is - I could take my amplifier and drive to the guy who's selling the cremonas to test them; but it's a 650mile drive.... and I'll get my car not before the end of february... Until then I'll just rely on the forum

[esteban]

Originally Posted by usernamen

Hi esteban,

I own the ToyTowers for about a year and a half now and I have to agree on the overachievers part. Before I decided to choose hifi as my new 'hobby' I asked a colleague of mine who is an obsessive Sf-enthousiast and amati-owner about his opinion on the Toys and he immediately recommended them to me ("bang for the buck" and "perfect to begin with" were his words).

Well, I haven't been disappointed; I can't even think of a negative aspect of my system and I still think that Sf and tubes/hybrids are a match made in heaven.
The best thing about this particular combination is the non-fatiguing reproduction of music without any annoying highs, combined with an immersive stage if you consider the size of the TTs. The only thing I'm looking for in the near future is the 'disappearance-factor' which I think that the Cremona Auditors are incredible good at.
Since - as mentioned - I could get my hands on a decent pair of auditors I hope that I'll find some competent advice on wether my current amp will be suitable for them.

I've heard the auditors with to PrimaLuna monos and they sounded stunning; lets hope I'll get some good news and my dialogue one can drive them properly.

The thing is - I could take my amplifier and drive to the guy who's selling the cremonas to test them; but it's a 650mile drive.... and I'll get my car not before the end of february... Until then I'll just rely on the forum

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Toy Towers, Pete. I agree with your assessment 100%. This model line, and the towers in particular, do not get a lot of coverage (at least not in US media... the system as a whole was reviewed -very favorably- in Home Theater magazine, of all places...), nor much love from other Sf enthusiasts, but I think for the price they offer tremendous value.

I'm in a situation similar to yours, thinking of upgrading to the Cremona M floorstanders. Most of the times, I can't wait to take the plunge, craving mostly for a more extended low frequency response, a wider and deeper soundstage, an even sweeter midrange, and more of those "disappearing act" qualities, like you said, that Sonus faber is so well-known for. But a lot of times I am also so satisfied by the Towers, specially in a small room like mine, that I find it difficult to justify the considerable $$$ difference. I thought about the Liutos, but I honestly do not like their looks at all. They simply do not look like Sonus faber speakers to me (and, yes, looks are important to me when you are paying this kind of money and have a wife), and the Cremona Auditor M's are also an option, but a lot of different people (including Kevin Deal at Prima Luna) have told me that the floorstanders are a lot easier to drive. Plus, I do need the extra low frequency extension, since these speakers would perform double-duty in a home-theater set-up as well...

Hope somebody else chimes in with more to say about the Prima Luna / Cremona combination.