WHO MAKES THE BEST AMP?

[deacongreg]

I`ve never seen the Swans up close and personal. The Gershmans that I heard, looked to be one of there, maybe mid range models, with a teak, light brown cabinet. Either a two or three way design.
Good news on the Verity. Hopefully I`ll get to hear them in the future.

[TRAVISG]

I THINK FOR HOME THEATER THE SUNFIRE KILLS BUT 2 CHANNEL THATS A DIFFERENT STORY I GUESS I WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH BOULDER

[deacongreg]

TRAVISG, Hmmmm..... I have never heard any of the Boulder electronics.

[smiles]

So as a believer that speakers/amps should be matched, I nonetheless am unhappy w/my current integrated (cannot have separates, long story), which is a Magnum Dynalab -- my Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors just seem listless. You all are cleary familiar with ones I should be considering -- so please, I value your insight! Is the McIntosh you suggest a good match? Is their "smaller" ones as good? (was $4200 on audiogon, $5k list). I've heard Ayre is very, very good too. And --? Thank you!

I own Bryston STs powering B&W Matrix 800s.

The best sound I've ever heard was Krell powering Wilson Audio Grand Slams.

[deacongreg]

smiles, McIntosh amplifiers are a favorite of mine, and Andrew Robinson. Still built, made and handcrafted in Binghamton, N.Y. McIntosh amplifiers I believe will provide a great match for you, due to their output autotransformer. The McIntosh output transformer is a hand - crafted transformer with separate outputs for 2, 4, and 8 ohms, allowing an ideal impedance match.

There is no performance penalty, with an autoformer. Its bandwith exceeds that of the output circuit and extends beyond the audible range. Distortion is very low. And since, according to McIntosh, an autoformer cannot pass DC current (it is grounded to earth), it provides absolute protection for loudspeakers in the unlikely event of an output circuit failure.
As far as which amp, I`m not familar with the power requirements of your speakers, but I would follow Sonus Faber`s recomendations, and you should be fine.