Interesting...I have heard both but not in the same system or at the same time. I would say they are certainly both competitors and are comparable in quality. This is more about system and personal preference. What i would NOT say is that if you could "only" buy the Amati that you should feel disappointed that you could not hear the Hansen Prince. They are both good speakers at about a comparable level. I personally would prefer the Amati...and that is partly because i am a big SF fan having owned by Guarneri original and SF Strad at one time, but i know of others who would say the opposite.
And what did you think about the Hansen Prince? Could you describe them?
I know well the Amati Futura, I have some friends here in Brazil that have them. In one of the systems they are with AR CD8, Burmester 808 MK V and MC601 monos (and Siltech cables); and the other system are with MCD500, C1000 and MC601 monos (and cables WireWorld).
Your impressions about this speakers is very important!
And what did you think about the Hansen Prince? Could you describe them?
I know well the Amati Futura, I have some friends here in Brazil that have them. In one of the systems they are with AR CD8, Burmester 808 MK V and MC601 monos (and Siltech cables); and the other system are with MCD500, C1000 and MC601 monos (and cables WireWorld).
Your impressions about this speakers is very important!
I will be very forthright here...i did NOT audition the Hansen Princes seriously. AT the time i was listening to YG Anat II references speakers and the Rockport Merak Sheritan IIs. However, because they were there, and i had the whole store practically to myself...i spent a few hours listening to the Hansens.
Solid...they are a pretty solid speaker and they sound it. More so than the Amati? 'maybe'...but between the two, i found the Amati in general has always appeared to me to be a more nuanced speaker, with the delicacy of midrange and transparency i find captivating. I get this sense that driving the Hansen is important to control that much speaker...i could be completely wrong on that score. The Amatis equally need to be driven with high current amplification particulary for the bass...but somehow much of the homage series sounds just great with midpowered tube amplification. just great.
The impressions what you have about the Amati Futura, is the same to me.
I've heard the Viola with the Amati Anniversary, and the result was fantastic. I will try to combine with my friend to test my Viola with him Amati Futura to see the result.
Have to admit that I had only vaguely heard of Viola. However, what came up out of my deep memory is the Viola - Mark Levinson connection. Hope to hear some Viola in the near future. Thank you Ricardo and ENJOY!
Wim
Have to admit that I had only vaguely heard of Viola. However, what came up out of my deep memory is the Viola - Mark Levinson connection. Hope to hear some Viola in the near future. Thank you Ricardo and ENJOY!
Wim
Hi Ricardo,
I think you know I meant Mark Levinson, the man, not the the company. Isn't he the driving force behind Viola? As a Spectral fan, it would be nice to hear from someone what the difference in sound is. After having read all the stories here, I can imagine that the sound has a lot in common. Like for instance the speed of the signal.
Cheers,
Wim
..I live in Switzerland and use an Audiopax M5 preamp. Nobody knows it here. As it is, I would also like to know if you have heard the Audiopax amps against your Violas, or maybe before?
(As it is, I have only once heard Cello ampflification, never Viola - although my wife is a professional violist ;-)
In the US Viola isn't well known. But in Asian countries Viola is very well known. I just hope they don't increase their US prices even higher because the Japanese are now fully committed to Yen Seppuku\Kamekazi.
There's also the Matthew-James amplifiers that are currently (NPI) putting out a kW (or more)/channel into my ML speakers They're not chopped liver either
Hi Ricardo,
I think you know I meant Mark Levinson, the man, not the the company. Isn't he the driving force behind Viola? As a Spectral fan, it would be nice to hear from someone what the difference in sound is. After having read all the stories here, I can imagine that the sound has a lot in common. Like for instance the speed of the signal.
Cheers,
Wim
..I live in Switzerland and use an Audiopax M5 preamp. Nobody knows it here. As it is, I would also like to know if you have heard the Audiopax amps against your Violas, or maybe before?
(As it is, I have only once heard Cello ampflification, never Viola - although my wife is a professional violist ;-)
I live in Brazil and my setup is all Audiopax. The speakers are Tidal Piano Cera.
If you hear the new Audiopax Maggiores, SET monoblocks of 100 W Classe A, using EAT tubes, you would be impressed.
I think one of the best amplifiers on the market. Captivating natural sound, and a lot of power.
I use the Model 88 SE monos. But will certainly move to the Maggiore.
There is also the new Model 5 SE, great preamp. The SE indicates that it uses the new Maggiore first class internal components.
..I live in Switzerland and use an Audiopax M5 preamp. Nobody knows it here. As it is, I would also like to know if you have heard the Audiopax amps against your Violas, or maybe before?
(As it is, I have only once heard Cello ampflification, never Viola - although my wife is a professional violist ;-)
Congratulations for your M5, it is a beautiful equipment.
I didn't test the power Audiopax compared with my Viola, but I heard several times Audiopax equipment, and in my opinion the system of Auxiopax showroom is mounted on one of my references to audio.
Nice to hear from you in Fortaleza. I was in Recife last October and enjoyed working there a lot.
My M5 is something of in between, I use a first generation pre with the newest power unit. Eduardo told me it was not necessary to update the main unit. I was unfortunately never able to hear the power amps, and the maggiore are frankly out of my league
But the 88s, that could be something, if I get a decent chance.
Egidius, if you come to Fortaleza I will be glad to present you the M88 and take you to a friends home, where we can listen to the Maggiore driving the great Tidal Piano Diacera. Amazing combination.
Please get in touch if you come.
Egidius, if you come to Fortaleza I will be glad to present you the M88 and take you to a friends home, where we can listen to the Maggiore driving the great Tidal Piano Diacera. Amazing combination.
Please get in touch if you come.
Edorr, I was there a month ago. It is very much different from the small fishermen village you knew. It still has a very natural environment, with sand streets, but now lots of hotels and nice restaurants are everywhere.
Edorr, I was there a month ago. It is very much different from the small fishermen village you knew. It still has a very natural environment, with sand streets, but now lots of hotels and nice restaurants are common.
When I was there it was just a sand road to get there. We actually got stuck driving down and had to unload the pickup truck and recruit some locals to push it out of the sand. We slept in hammocks. I just googled it and it has indeed changed a lot. Still pretty, but no longer a backpackers on a $10 a day budget destination for sure...
