Ah, Bach’s Cello Suites. I wonder if you have heard this, transcribed for violin and quite wonderful. Free of the speakers!
Not heard this one HH. I have Paul Tortelier and Rostropovich and Glenn Gould. I prefer Tortelier so far.
Thanks for the tip.
Hey @JOF, thanks for your note. I hope all is well in Norway and you are still enjoying the Harbeths.
Yes, quite a journey indeed but you know; I need to work ridiculously hard and the music-hobby is just for me the way to relax a little bit. I have been enjoying 5-series and SuperNait/HiCap/NDX systems (with Allae’s) for many, many years and both are superb. The more advanced ranges bring some extra, but let’s be honest, it is also not night and day. I just love the hobby and am happy that I can still focus on the music and not too much the system. Also learnt that the system I have today is probably the level that I will stick with, and that’s perfectly fine with me. Going up is not for my wallet and I think the differences are rather small. I might change a cable here and there and maybe look into power-handling (seriously considering listening to IsoTek Titan or AudioQuest Niagara), but that’s it.
The recent streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz, combined with Roon, all did it for me: the wealth of music accessible in such a super-quality is a game-changer. I can’t stop exploring and that probably explains my attention to the system as well
The tweeter on the Cremona was out of phase compared to the mid / bass drivers so if mounted vertically the treble would reach your ears before the bass.
The tilt was part of the design to time align the drivers and I’ve found the rake angle to be quite important when setting up the speakers.
No idea about the new Olympics but perhaps the tweeters and bass drivers are now in phase.
Yes all is good here Iver…summer seems to have delivered this holiday weekend.
I’ve, not had the urge to upgrade very much, the fewer high end systems I have had the pleasure of listening to have tapped me on the shoulder to remind me that there is room to grow. But then children came along and the financial commitments to HiFi were given less importance.
However, I am always appreciative of other members systems. I think it’s important that people who have worked hard to buy pieces of kit to improve their system are given congratulations for that.
Hi Iver,
Congratulations on the new speakers, they look fantastic. I run Sonus Faber Olympica 1’s with my Naim system and they are just a stunning combination. I understand that the Olympica and Olympica Nova are less warm than past Sonus Faber offerings but they balance digging out a huge amount of information whilst managing to sound so organic. Their clarity can also be spellbinding.
After much trial and error, I found that mine sound best toed in directly towards the listening position. This focuses voices and just seems ‘right’. Do try that once they’ve settled in and see how you get on. A friend of mine had Sonus Faber Futura Amati and they too were positioned toed in toward the listener.
Hey @Jason, that’s what I read as well. The guy from the dealer who installed them yesterday recommended to first run-in, and then start playing with the exact positioning. For the moment they have no toe-in and are exactly on the same position as my previous loudspeakers (which I marked on the floor )
Iver
The Olympicas must be great because I’ve heard the Kantas and they are fabulous
Hey @Boratri,
Both the Kanta’s and Nova’s are superb loudspeakers.
The Kanta’s are way more direct and “in the face” whereas the Nova’s have a more laid-back signature. It’s just a matter of preference I believe. For me the Nova’s are the preferred ones. The trebles are more silky and what stands out is that the music is full free from the speakers. Never experienced that so intense.
Iver
Or you could change from digital and solid state (odd order harmonics), to vinyl and hollow state (valves). Not as accurate, but much less in your face
Nice speakers though, glad they’re breaking in now (from what I read in your subsequent posts).
Nice setup!
I have the Serafino, powered by a nap 250dr, and I can tell you that the 250 is far too week for these speakers. I´m now looking to upgrade…
Nice speakers !
And Dr Evil cat too
Thank you.
I bought the furniture here in Sweden in a store called Mio, but they are handmade in Poland at Albert´s furniture. The series is called acuto.
http://www.albertas.eu/collections/acuto.php
Thanks Simon76.
I’m in North America, but I’ll see what can be done.
Fantastic look of these speakers ! I like Sonus Faber too. Heard and enjoyed the Sonus Faber Olympica 2 last year. Disappearing, nice tones, fast, with well defined bass, …better than the Cremona M I heard 10 years ago.
Unless the figures I found are off, £7,000 for the Kanta 2 versus £ 12,000 for the SF, the SF should have a little leg up.
I bet it is extra smooth compared to the K2.
Enjoy!
Hi @mcjt1, oh yes they are. The Nova’s are the better speakers even though still running in.
Like mentioned, the first thing that I noticed is the sound is now completely (!) free from the speakers. Next the depth (or 3D imaging) improved significantly compared to the Kanta’s. Last point - and the initial reason to swap to Sonus Faber - are the super soft treble/high frequencies.
The differences are really not night and day; Focal Kanta is a splendid product which I’d recommend to anyone. The Sonus Faber’s just bring extra of everything and have another sound that I like better.
Iver
Hi IvdZ can I ask what size room the speakers are in…I was looking at the Olympica myself but didn’t know if if they would be oversized for 5 x 3 meter room