Change from SF standmount to SF Monitors

Hi-Fi Corner
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With the move from a larger house at the country side to a loft in the city, I felt the need to change my system. Living room is a touch smaller and I didn’t like a hifi system being very dominant apparent in there. The system I had, was a full 500 system max’d out with Fraims, toplevel cabling, switches (incl separate powersupplies), dedicated spur and full acoustic treatments.

Three months ago, I replaced the system with a new NSC222/300PX/250 set up, keeping the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III and their Superlumina loudspeaker cables. I also kept the powerlines, Furutech blocks, SIlent Angel switch and a good powercord.

In all fairness, I had to get used to the new system a bit. It’s good and pleasant on the ear, it’s rythmic, and fast (I like that). Compared to the previous system, I lost some detail and « 3d » soundstage and sometimes a touch boomy bass. Was it the acoustics in the new house, was it just the less advanced system itself, the new architecture of the new classic series, or something else: I don’t know but probably a combination of all of these. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy the new system and listen as much music as always.

First thing I did was getting some room acoustics. The market now offers « paintings for the wall » that include a frame and absorption within them. I bought two big ones, and that made a true difference. The sound got a bit more authorative, the boomy bass got less and I got more detail.

Today I changed the Nova III’s with the Sonus Faber Guarneri monitors. I bought a new pair that was already run in. After a day now, I think it was the right choice at the right moment. They match superbly well with the system. The monitors act like a « point source » and the additional detail, placing and sound stage are impressive. Yes, I loose on the bass, but the standmounts hold their place and still deliver quite a bit of it. It’s especially the mid-range that is two levels up compared to the Nova (and the Nova were very good at ot as well). Imaging is insane. The silky treble - so representative for Sonus Faber - is everywhere. Very, very nice.

Final thing is changing the XLR’s. Based on what I have read on this forum, I’ll test the weekend XLR cables from Vertere, Chord SIgnature and some Van Den Hul’s. According to my dealer, that will bring some additional detail and 3rd imaging.

I have learnt my lesson on how important a room is chosing your setup.

Iver

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@IvdZ Glad you are enjoying the new system. I have a different NC system than you, but I suspect the cable question still holds. I am using SarumT interconnects, including XLR. I am using EpicX speaker cable. I found the Naim cables that come with the equipment, to be average My NPX300 units made a very significant difference too

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They are truly wonderful speakers. Enjoy.

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A classic example of when less is more!

Looking forward to your XLR bake off.

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The Guarneris will sound wonderful I’m sure. I play with the same Naim NC set but with Sonus faber Electa Amator III speakers. Apart from better interlinks I put my monitors on Gaia feet, an important improvement in bass and 3D performance. Our flooring is PVC laminate on concrete.

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Of course a more expensive smaller speaker from the same manufacturer should sound better over the range it does - but presumably it has lost some of the bottom end as a consequence. If you want tgat as well (I would never want to live without), then you’d likey have to go even higher up the full size range…

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Hi @Maarten the Electa Amator III are stunning as well. I heart them a few times at shows, and very impressed.

Thanks for the reference to Gaia: I had them on my previous Nova’s, and I have them on the new Guarneri’s as well.

I am currently testing a few alternative XLR cables as well as a set of Chord Signature jumpers for at the back of the Guarneri’s. Iver

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Did you try with and without the Gaia?

I have Chord Signature links on mine as well!

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Hi @R32Paul to be honest, I just ordered the Gaia’s with the Guarneri’s and used them from the beginning. I was so happy with them on the previous speakers, that it was a kind of no-brainer for me. Do you have experiences not using them ? Iver

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Exactly. I also own the Guarneri. Absolutely wonderful for classical and opera, and boy they look good.

I was considering upgrading at some point to either the Serafinos, or the Franco Serblin Ktema. But we’re now talking really stupid money. Close to USD30k. That’s the problem with true high=end hifi. Incremental improvements at sky high prices. I figured my Guarneri were good enough :sweat_smile:

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I had Gaia on my old speakers. I believe the conical spikes on the tradition stands have a damping material in them, so haven’t bothered thus far.

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@R32Paul @jejese1 @Maarten I understand you are all Sonus Faber owners using standmounts/monitors? I just replaced SF Olmympica Nova III with SF Guarneri’s. Very happy with them. My dealer now offers me a 1yr old accompanying SF Subwoofer. What is your guys opinion on a subwoofer. Do you use one. Even though the Guarneri’s are definitely a step up to the Nova Olympica’s in terms of detail, imaging and detail, the bass is of course less. Would you consider a sub? Iver

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In our apartment I enjoy sufficient bass and our room probably couldn’t cope with more. Running a separate power line plus better power cords to the 2 Naim boxes improved bass considerably.

A well integrated subwoofer will improve the sense of the recording environment, add more air. If you decide you want to try out the subwoofer think about placement, cabling etc. Perhaps you need to give yourself a little more time to get used to the new speakers as well.

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When I first got my SF, I was concerned about the loss of bass from my previous floor standers., so I have been on a similar journey. Unfortunately I changed too many things earlier in the year. I have an excellent dealer who indulges me. So borrowed speaker cables, sub woofers etc. Too many and too fast so I had no idea what was making the difference (if at all). So took them all off and went back to the bare system.

I tried REL 5x and 7x subs and struggled to set them up.

I’ve had the majority of the year without upgraded speaker cable or sub woofers.

I have concentrated on enjoying the speakers and setting them up I.e. experimenting with positioning. TBH I got to the point of wondering if I need any more bass. The speakers go surprisingly low and continuously amaze me at how low they go. I may try another sub at some point particularly if I can get a GravisIII on loan.

As Maarten has said above, I’ve had a bit of luck with cables that have brought a definite improvement in bass (I think). The links on the speakers have been replaced with Chird signature. And my hi line is back with Naim to have its rings replaced. My dealer has loaned me a S/h saurum DIN and that has made a noticeable difference. Next on my list is s/h powerlines when available. I’m currently running one into my SN3.

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@IvdZ , I had a small REL sub with my Guarneri. I sold it to make space, but once I move to a bigger place, I will definitely consider buying one (or two) again. Listening mostly to classical and opera I don’t feel it’s urgent though.

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This forum is trouble…..

Now got a REL T7X on loan (again)!

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Hey @Maarten , thanks a lot: valuable advice. I only have the Guarneri’s a few weeks now. It makes indeed sense to give things just a little more time and reconsider if a sub is really needed. I deeply like the Guarneri’s.

I am gonna take more time and you suggest. Maybe I still “compare” sometimes to the previous system which was a full 500 and “maxed out”; but also a completely other living room. One thing I note, is that things really start to live when I put the volume control on my current set-up on 30+. It’s almost like sound falls into place when I do so. Do you have a similar experience? Iver

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Hey @R32Paul thanks for your advice. As per my response to @Maarten , I am gonna wait and allow myself to get used to the system a little better. It’s only with me a few weeks. And yes, I also need to play around with speaker set-up. The are currently 2.45 apart from each other (measured from heart to heart of the speakers), and my listening position is around 3.40 away. The Guarneri’s have at least 55cm from the back-wall. I have a little toe-in. Speaker-cabling is my Superlumina from the previous system and the rest is PowerLines and Chrod Signature for XLR/Jumpers.

The sub offered to me is a Gravis V. For the moment I am going to let the offer pass me. Ohh, I can by the way recommend the Powerlines to you; pleasant uplift and they are « for life ».

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@jejese1 I understand given your preference of music. I like to listen to Jazz music so my case is a little different. For the moment, I am going to take the time to get used to the system, my new living room and my new speakers. Probably better to give it some time and reconsider in a few months. Keep you posted. Iver

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When I listen to jazz the volume is usually between 30 and 40. Above 40 gets a bit too loud, for both my ears and the neighbours. Classical depends a lot, but usually I need to turn the volume up a little further to 45 and sometimes 50.

Late in the evening I’m listening to lower levels, obviously, but the sound can still be magic.

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