Guys,
Why dont you try the Yaqin tube buffer. Cheap and good. Need to change the tubes to a Mullards of Western Electric though. Pair it with a good power cord and interconnect you're good to go.

Had mine for the last 6 months after trying a few external DACs including the Monica 3. Really something under RM400

Model identified: Minima Amator

I went to check out the cables that he is using.
Interconnect: Audio Note AN-C
Speaker cables: Audio Note AN-B

Minima Amator certainly deserve a relatively more powerful and better amp to drive them to the sonics they are capable of. Your friend could consider and audition integrated amps from Krell, Bladelius, Simaudio Moon, Unison Research Unico. However, I suspect he prefers sound from tube amps more judging from his AN cables which he could listen to amps from Conrad Johnson, Audio Research and the likes.

I am fully aware that this tread is dedicated to Sonus Faber speakers...however out of curiosity, what other speakers would the SF enthusiasts think would give the SF a run for its money.

Would you trade your SFs for something else? ...just wondering....

nope. for me
i still likes sonus sound.
so the only things i will trade for my sonus faber is a bigger sonus faber =P

Sonus Faber loudspeakers may not be the most accurate or most transparent sounding transducers nor are they capable of producing the best bass response or midrange clarity, yet the sentiment just expressed by PcWork is exactly that of most of Sonus Faber owners throughout the globe. And so am I.

I would trade my Sonus Faber for a troupe of sexy classical female musicians and a very good jazz band (all female & sexy of course) singing live to me on a daily basis whenever I want.

I'll stick to the sexy and mesmerizing sounding Sonus and nothing else until I "kumpul" enough money for these sexy musicians

Donations are welcome guys

This post has been edited by bongbo: Mar 21 2009, 03:48 AM

I just love sound produced by SF - warm and musical with matching amplifier. My next upgrade definitely will be still SF.

I think one of the qualities (sonically aside) that Sonus faber speakers possess is its elegance and beauty. Every Sonus faber speaker is uniquely beautiful. While it may not be the last thing in resolution, it is like a Mercedes Benz in many ways. Not the best car on earth but never fails to draw attention.

Coming back to the Sonus sound we all grew to love, I really appreciate how they engage with me, emotionally. They never fail to consistently "communicate" with my sonic needs. Everytime I sit and play a few of my favorite tracks, I get the same satisfaction as though it was my first time with them. That is the beauty of Sonus faber, be it whatever model you own.

I may or may not get better speakers for my money, but if I had more to spend, I will spend it on a better Sonus faber. Else I will settle for one that my budget permits.

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Added on March 22, 2009, 10:30 pmI agree. As a former owner of a Minima Amator, I will testify that you need decent amplification to get the best out of them. I used to bi-amp them in a Arcam Alpha 9 P x 2 combo. They were decent but they really sang with grace when hooked to my friend's Pass Aleph 5. I can still picture the way they sound At one point after selling them away, I missed them...a great deal. Thankfully my Signums were able to fill that void ever since I got them.

This post has been edited by etteoh: Mar 22 2009, 10:30 PM

how much is a pair of bookshelves? for the cheapest model

you can get a quote from Perfet Hifi
now cheapest model is Toy....should be around 3.5k to 4k

hm.. i not too sure about myself buying sonus because of the look or not.
but after owning it for quite some time.. i have told my friend that,, even sonus faber i have.. comes in Neon Green Colour. i will still purchase it... for the sound i love..
of course.the look still pretty much a bonus. which makes it easier to blend in to house.. but i think i don't consider that as a main reason.
for person with limited budget like me. i will like to go for the sound that suit my taste the most with my very limited budget.. so the budget all goes to the sound.
and i am very strongly agreed with the bold statement.. i also feels exactly like that.


This post has been edited by PcWork: Mar 23 2009, 12:55 AM

thanks for the info, where is Perfet Hifi located?

puchong IOI Mall and Wisma MPL
they've go a new showroom in Bangsar, Jalan Maarof....dunno open oredi or not

today i tested my concertino with some DIY things..
and it really take my breath out.. 7 hours straight listening through all my songs.. and i am so glad i spend my money on one of the sonus..

The Weekend I was carrying my speakers around to shops and tried some Amp on the Sonus Cremona Auditors, - Audio Research int amp/Primaluna/ triode/ Pathos/Krell pre and power(forgot the name d).


For Smooth sounding Vocals
Worth looking at the Triode tube Monoblocks at TTDI and surprisingly the Chinese Bewitch A30 with KT88 tubes Amcorp 3rd floor.

Want power vocals that jump at you, try the Triode tube int amp at Centercircle TTDI

For Slam
Audio Research Vsi55 at Puchong .Primalunas any CMY

If you asked me which amp that really tickle my fancy with unlimited budget for the kind of music I like (Vocals/Jazz), I would say.
1st the Triode Monoblocks (Very liquid, details and layers of sound very transparent)
2nd Bewitch A30 /Or in kwai lo land calls it PURESOUND A30 (Sweet warm sound & extremely open in the mid range. PRICE!)
3rd tied with Audio Research Vsi55 and the Primaluna Dialog 2 (Fast Musical pieces are excellent!)

So far the search continues for an Amp for the Cremona Auditors

This post has been edited by bongbo: Mar 30 2009, 01:52 AM

lol i think u must be in hifi heaven rite.....
so when u r changing yur amp socket to 3 pins iec female? hint hint..

thanks will find out more.

spend some of my time yesterday audit a fresh pair of dynaudio C4 floorstander speaker.

and i will say... besides bass of dynaudio. i still love the sonus..
and unsure is their setup problem (using naim as CDP, Primare CDP, Usher Power amp, Siltech cable all over the place) soundstage is wide. but depth is non exits. obviously feels high pitch sound is very uncontrollable.
the treble is obviously right in the face, while mid is between speaker and me. while bass is behind the speaker.. only the wave and boom come over.
i guess that's positioning though.
test track is Manger CD- Jazz Variant (last track)
when played the Usher Test Disc, sound is extremely harsh and extremely grainy.


so it's very firm that.. i am a sonus lover.

This post has been edited by PcWork: Mar 31 2009, 08:14 PM

so you're saying that from your audit, sonus is not those in the face vocal type of speaker? a little bit laid back?