2. speakers
  3. 1088998973

Harbeth Compact 7's

Hi Gents, (Ladies too), Rlmm here.

Recently acquired a nice pair of Harbeth Compact 7's and I'm trying to decide on some gear to drive them properly. I have tried several things I already own, mostly low powered tube and SS amps/preamps. Not real happy so far with the results, but I know these speakers are capable of great things. Based on my experience so far, they seem to want and need some real juice behind them, probably SS power. I know some are using tube gear with good success but my instincts tell me good ss may be needed to get the bass response and impact I am looking for. Odly enough my old Quad 303 amp colecting dust offered up some pretty good impact, just a little dated in some ways. This probably confirms my feelings regrding the need for SS and hefty power supply, which the Quad is known for. I also need some help with the correct size stands for these too. Any and all help is appreciated. BTW, room size is aprox-12x15x8 Thanks as always for your time.
Rlmm.
rlmm
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
A Harbeth dealer in the UK used to recommend Densen B-100. 60wpc into 8Ohms, 120wpc into 4Ohms.

I've never heard the compact 7s but I own the B-100 and it's a wonderful little amp ... Naim Nait like drive but with better transparency and sweeter treble.
chathamdad
5 posts
 
Rlmm:

Glad you found the source of the low-end vibration. However, it seems that the C7s are indeed vulberable to some mild buzz at very low bass extremes, at high volume. I wa playing one of Stereophile's reference CDs the other day, and on a Stanley Clarke track the lowest registers of the acoustic bass caused some buzz-type vibration. Never heard it under any other circumstances, and it disappeared when I backed my amp off a bit. I guess $2500 speakers have to have a least a few limitations. Even so, I love 'em.
cellosven
12 posts
 
Sorry to be late to the party, but SS amps are not a must. The EAR 70 watt is plenty powerful and, by comparison, a great value. Even has room to knock it down a few watts and put good KT88s in there.
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
What better time than 2020 to resurrect this thread. Would anyone like to offer their opinion on cellosven's comments. Certainly many seem to choose Solid State. There is of course the fact that MORE people buy Solid State in general. Yet, having followed the forums on this subject, many have chosen SS over Tubes by actually experimenting. I am wondering if the C7's being what they are (laid back, refined, full sounding... yet detailed and articulate), that perhaps many tube amps are too much of a good thing. 
ryder
1,689 posts
 
No experience with Ear tube amp. In my limited experience, Harbeth loudspeakers require (suitable) solid-state amp for an all-round performance which includes maintaining the speed, pace and agility especially in the bass department when playing rock or demanding dynamic music. Adequately powerful SS amps that are able to provide the current to drive the speakers. Tube amps have their appeal and are capable of producing a glowing or romantic tone to voices and delicate highs ie. vocals or lullaby music but often fall short when playing rock or dynamic music with plenty of fast thumping bass lines.
More to discover