What is your favorite amp with your Harbeth?

**KenSea** · December 31, 2014, 12:53 AM

Would love to know what amps with what speakers you guys are using and the size of the room.

Thanks,
Ken

**Paul** · December 31, 2014, 02:27 AM

Ken which Harbeth speakers ?

**KenSea** · December 31, 2014, 08:45 AM

I was thinking that what ever speaker the person responding has owned .......

**joeinid** · December 31, 2014, 11:51 AM

On my 40.1's, the Hegel H30 (with my GAT or McIntosh C500T) is outstanding as well as my LM-219IA. I hope to try my Jolida 3502 soon. From what I hear with the Jolida on my Strads, I know it will be perfect on the Harbeth's.

My Naim Supernait2 was a great match too, especially on the 30.1's.

**CDLehner** · December 31, 2014, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

On my 40.1's, the Hegel H30 (with my GAT or McIntosh C500T) is outstanding as well as my LM-219IA. I hope to try my Jolida 3502 soon. From what I hear with the Jolida on my Strads, I know it will be perfect on the Harbeth's.

My Naim Supernait2 was a great match too, especially on the 30.1's.

I think Joe's response is evidence; I never found Harbeths...and I owned 3s, 7s, and 30.1s...to be very amp picky. Sounded good, no matter what they were paired with

I've always said...when it's time to hang up my audiophile hat, and just be an old man and listen; I'd gladly take a Luxman 590 IA, and a pair of Harbies...and call it a day.

**joeinid** · December 31, 2014, 01:44 PM

Chris,

I agree. As long as you give the Harbeth 20+ wpc, preferably 30 or more, you can listen all day. I don't listen loud so it's enough for me. Higher volume, of course more power. One important thing though, tubes give you a special dimension and depth that no SS can achieve on them. IMO!

**mep** · December 31, 2014, 02:37 PM

Because I try and find humor in most everything, the name Harbeth always makes me smile because it sounds like some kind of oral hygiene problem (much like halitosis, but with a nicer ring to it). As in: Watch out for Joe today. He has harbeth and the funk will knock you down if you get too close.

**puroagave** · December 31, 2014, 06:25 PM

if you hang out at the HUG forums Alan shaw will tell you a $500 SS integrated amp is sufficient to extract the max performance. Funny how he keeps raising prices (5s are now $7000!!) but the $500 example stays the same, FWIW he also has no use for tubes or vinyl.

**joeinid** · December 31, 2014, 06:35 PM

Rob,

It's funny, but there are clear differences between amps. I can't understand why Alan will not or can not admit it. Makes you wonder how he voices his speakers.

**puroagave** · December 31, 2014, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Rob,

It's funny, but there are clear differences between amps. I can't understand why Alan will not or can not admit it. Makes you wonder how he voices his speakers.

he's completely by the numbers and I honestly don't think he trusts his ears. He promulgates well informed and researched arguments but as a music lover misses the plot completely. from a marketing standpoint it's risk to alienate devoted customers by telling them they're wrong (tube/vinyl adherents).

**dlb2** · December 31, 2014, 07:00 PM

As long as he continues to produce great speakers it doesn't matter. Leave the electronics to the end user. We will determine what goes best with them.

Sent from my mobile.

**joeinid** · December 31, 2014, 07:07 PM

I still love the speakers though

**Mike** · December 31, 2014, 10:01 PM

Hopefully Harbeth wannabe's can respond!

What is your favorite amp with your Harbeth?

I would love a pair of 40.1's. I would probably pair them with my Cary 805AE's. If I didn't have those - Pass XA, Accuphase or a single Mc 275.

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**dlb2** · December 31, 2014, 10:13 PM

Harbeth wannabe? Well I plan on trying out a pair of SHL5's with my LM218 and eventually a Leben CS600. I'll let you all know how it goes...

Sent from my mobile.

**Mike** · December 31, 2014, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by dlb2

Harbeth wannabe? Well I plan on trying out a pair of SHL5's with my LM218 and eventually a Leben CS600. I'll let you all know how it goes...

Sent from my mobile.

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**CDLehner** · December 31, 2014, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Chris,

I agree. As long as you give the Harbeth 20+ wpc, preferably 30 or more, you can listen all day. I don't listen loud so it's enough for me. Higher volume, of course more power. One important thing though, tubes give you a special dimension and depth that no SS can achieve on them. IMO!

Well...you're speaking of class-A/B SS. IMO, class-A and Harbies are sweet

I think I had an $800 Cayin 265Ai and 7s at one time, and it was heaven.

**joeinid** · December 31, 2014, 10:57 PM

My XA60.5's aren't too shabby either

I'm sure your XA30.8 would be awesome on my 40.1's.

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Well...you're speaking of class-A/B SS. IMO, class-A and Harbies are sweet

I think I had an $800 Cayin 265Ai and 7s at one time, and it was heaven.

**CDLehner** · January 1, 2015, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by joeinid

My XA60.5's aren't too shabby either

I'm sure your XA30.8 would be awesome on my 40.1's.

Yes...I suppose Pass class-A monos would do.

Joe...what do you typically pair with the 40.1s?

**BlueFox** · January 1, 2015, 01:39 AM

Never had an Harbeth, but I have always wondered. Do those screws holding the baffle on to the speaker work loose over time?

**Loop4fun** · January 1, 2015, 01:47 AM

I'm using a PS Audio Sprout on my C7's. It works great!

**joeinid** · January 1, 2015, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Yes...I suppose Pass class-A monos would do.

Joe...what do you typically pair with the 40.1s?

Until recently, my favorite was the H30 with the GAT. I sold that to get the Nuvista 800, which works great but I think the star is the LM-219IA. I do feel the Jolida will be awesome, the ART monos kill, but are overkill for most of my listening sessions.

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Never had an Harbeth, but I have always wondered. Do those screws holding the baffle on to the speaker work loose over time?

I have not checked yet, but I've had many speakers where speaker screws DO come loose.

**Dpod4** · January 1, 2015, 01:55 AM

I read somewhere accuphase class A pairs well ?

**joeinid** · January 1, 2015, 02:12 AM

I am sure that would be great too.

Originally Posted by Dpod4

I read somewhere accuphase class A pairs well ?

**Jerome W** · January 17, 2015, 01:50 AM

Best sound on my 40.1 is given by the Shindo CCQ amps. But I had to play a lot with the isolation of the speakers and I change the speaker cables for very large solid core pure silver.
Room is 6 x 8 meters.

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**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 12:13 PM

Guys, I'm considering a pair of 40.1's, but the max distance from the back of the speaker to the front wall I can go is 25 inches. Is that enough?

As a side, here is an interesting pairing: http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-325&lang=en

**Ritmo** · January 17, 2015, 12:29 PM

Mike -

The Ref 75 with the KT150s may do the trick depending on the size of the room and the type of music you are planning to play. I have not heard the 40.1s but I've listened to the 30.1s which are fantastic. The 40.1s are supposed to be even better.

**Paul** · January 17, 2015, 12:33 PM

The Onkyo Receiver with 1 dollar cable will do Mike.

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Paul

The Onkyo Receiver with 1 dollar cable will do Mike.

Poor Alan. I tested his theory last night (for fun). I hooked up my Marantz receiver. I just started laughing. It sounded like sh!t. It wasn't even close. He's dead flat wrong in saying all amps sound the same. That's just absurd.

What's interesting is that if you find Alan's early posts (form say 2007), he talks about hearing his speakers on an amp that his friend built and notes sweetness, tonality, etc.

I think it's more of a marketing ploy. Spend your money on my speakers, not on electronics.

Just my two cents.

But he does build beautiful sounding speakers for a fair price.

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Mike -

The Ref 75 with the KT150s may do the trick depending on the size of the room and the type of music you are planning to play. I have not heard the 40.1s but I've listened to the 30.1s which are fantastic. The 40.1s are supposed to be even better.

That's what I'm thinking Mike. Since I will be replacing my REF2SE with the Pass XS phono, a REF system could be pretty sweet on some rosewood 40.1's.

But I also have my eye on that new Dart integrated....but Jonathan said it's not finished yet and could be a while still.

I heard the 40.1's with that new Ayre stereo amp (the one that uses the diamond circuit board technology) and it was outstanding.

**wisnon** · January 17, 2015, 03:34 PM

Come to think of it, I have not heard from Herve in a looong time. I think a message is due and I will ask about the progress on the integrated...

**dan31** · January 17, 2015, 04:15 PM

I'm using a Spectral DMA-260 amp with Harbeth M40.1. My rational for a few extra watts was the 12" woofer. No complaints on my end. No one really complains about amps and Harbeth speakers unless you use some flea watt amp with a few watts.

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Come to think of it, I have not heard from Hereve in a looong time. I think a message is due and I will ask about the progress on the integrated...

Thanks. Tell him to get a move on!

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**Ritmo** · January 17, 2015, 09:17 PM

Mike,

No one has answered your question regarding placement. Since the 40.1s are front ported, you should be able to get very good results even at only 25" from the front wall. The drivers will be at least 3' from the front wall.

2 cents...

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Mike,

No one has answered your question regarding placement. Since the 40.1s are front ported, you should be able to get very good results even at only 25" from the front wall. The drivers will be at least 3' from the front wall.

2 cents...

Thanks Mike!

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**BlueFox** · January 17, 2015, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

No one has answered your question regarding placement. Since the 40.1s are front ported, you should be able to get very good results even at only 25" from the front wall. The drivers will be at least 3' from the front wall.

I have seen the phrase 'front wall' used a few times in speaker threads or reviews. I assume you are referring to the wall BEHIND the speaker. If I put speakers 25" from my front wall then they would be behind me.

Any idea why the back wall is referred to as the front wall? Is it because the wall is in front of the listener?

**Mike** · January 17, 2015, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I have seen the phrase 'front wall' used a few times in speaker threads or reviews. I assume you are referring to the wall BEHIND the speaker. If I put speakers 25" from my front wall then they would be behind me.

Any idea why the back wall is referred to as the front wall? Is it because the wall is in front of the listener?

Because it's in front of you, the back wall is behind you.

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**BlueFox** · January 17, 2015, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Because it's in front of you, the back wall is behind you.

That's too logical. I need to recalibrate my thinking to speaker wall definition versus real world walls.

**puroagave** · January 17, 2015, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

That's too logical. I need to recalibrate my thinking to speaker wall definition versus real world walls.

its just you Bud. from day one I've always referred to the front wall as the one facing the listener

**BlueFox** · January 17, 2015, 11:57 PM

LOL. I am sure it is. All my life I have been 180 degrees out of phase with society.

**wisnon** · January 18, 2015, 01:32 PM

Joe…just for you.
The new LHC-208 will actually start production in a few weeks from now, and the new NHB-18NS preamplifier should follow right after.

LHC-208 software is well ahead and at this time I think all digital inputs should work so we could experiment with all the equipment you would bring here, I am sure it will be quite a fantastic and great listening day!

**joeinid** · January 18, 2015, 04:40 PM

Wow!

Thank you Norman. I hear the LHC-208 is supposed to be spectacular. Can't wait.

Originally Posted by wisnon

Joe…just for you.
The new LHC-208 will actually start production in a few weeks from now, and the new NHB-18NS preamplifier should follow right after.

LHC-208 software is well ahead and at this time I think all digital inputs should work so we could experiment with all the equipment you would bring here, I am sure it will be quite a fantastic and great listening day!

**Elescher** · January 18, 2015, 05:28 PM

Having had just about every (consumer) Harbeth speaker made pre 2009, my favorite was my Bel Canto SET 40i integrated. 845 based tubes. That and then the CJ CA-50?

**wisnon** · January 18, 2015, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks. Tell him to get a move on!

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Months ago this was discussed over at WBF and the consensus was the price would have been about $13K. In truth, I thought it was launched already as I saw a mock up more than 1 year ago, but I guess these things take time to do right.

You saw the update I posted above.

**Mike** · January 18, 2015, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Months ago this was discussed over at WBF and the consensus was the price would have been about $13K. In truth, I thought it was launched already as I saw a mock up more than 1 year ago, but I guess these things take time to do right.

You saw the update I posted above.

Yes, thanks Norman.

Thread: What is your favorite amp with your Harbeth?