Croft, NFD or Lavardin for Harbeth M40.1

I do love my Harbeth M-40.1's. I'm surprised they get so little attention on this forum. Makes me think we all hear things somewhat differently. I realize their appearance is boxy and ordinary, but being a child of the 70's and always admiring my older brother systems from that era, I think they look great!

Hi Pdreher,

I just checked your system and made me smile on my face.Under your speakers line :

This is my second pair of M-40.1's. I regretted selling my first pair, so this second pair will be with me a long time. Lesson learned

This is exactly what happen to me as well. I just picked up my second pair and this will be here for the long time as well. I did pair MC275's last time when I had them too.

I think I will keep my New Audio Frontier SET amp for a tube-based amplification and I like to keep one SS as well I did search for a while and those are 3 brands got me curious and so far the NCSE is really amazing piece to go with M40.1

I've not tried any of those on your wish list, but have tried Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3 (really bad), an old Arcam Delta series integrated (not bad, but compromised) and McIntosh MA2275 (too mellow). Still prefer tube separates by far with my 40.1's (VAC 30/30, VAC 70/70 & McIntosh MC 275 MKV... all with Aesthetix Calypso preamp). I occasionally think it would be nice to go with a one box solution, but am hesitant to take that step for fear I'll be taking a step back. BTW, I've read a dealer in New Zealand recommend the Pass Int-150 as a synergistic fit with 40.1's. Let us know what you end up with.

"I am uncertain what your angle is given we have no idea what ancillary equipment is being used."

That's exactly why I didn't recommend anything. OP states he's getting better sound with a cheap integrated, than with his expensive tube gear. Given that, I think some research is in order before buying any new components.

" I can assure you that the Croft kit will have a fine soundstage as recommended."

Yes, you can assure me, but that's no guarantee. You can still be wrong. If the Croft doesn't match well with all of the other components in the system, the OP may not get the same results as you. Stuff like that happens all the time.

Zd542, because that is what the OP asked and it is something I have experience with. Croft works nicely with Harbeths. I am uncertain what your angle is given we have no idea what ancillary equipment is being used. I can assure you that the Croft kit will have a fine soundstage as recommended.

Thanks Zd542 and Noromance.

Just want to correct on my first post. My Tube amp has a more weigh and warm to the sounds however the NAD was giving me more open and wide stage in to it.

Currently Im doing the home demo with NFD NCSE int amp and sounds great except the little boomy upper bass . Hopefully it will tame the sounds as break in goes.

The Speakers are only 1 week old.

The OP just got rid of some expensive tube gear that didn't outperform his low cost integrated amp. Why recommend a product similar to the one that just failed him?

I have used Croft kit for years. I would get the 25R and save the money over the RS for a set of NOS Telefunkens which wikl beat a stock RS. The Croft has a great phono stage. I have not heard the 7 mono blocks but they have received rave reviews.

"My room is about 15 ft x 24ft and I usually use the tube amp however my pre amplifier were sold and I was use the NAD 320 bee Int amp as temporaly solution but I found they sounds superior compare to my megabucks tube amp . ( Shocked ) "

You're lucky. This usually happens the other way around; after you spend a lot of money. The more money you spend, the easier it is to make a mistake. My advice would be to not buy anything until you've had a chance to do a thorough evaluation. Besides, you've already have a nice upgrade with the NAD.