Harbeth SHL 5 amplification


In reviewing the Harbeth website there seems to be a strong bias towards high power solid state amplification. When I heard the SHL 5 on demo it was with the smallest Rogers Fidelity amplifier and for the most part it worked.  I run a Leben CS600  -with a modest 32 watts per channel and wonder if this will suffice to run a pair of SHL5's.  After reading the Harbeth user group's opinions, it seems it might be risky; though there does seem to be a tremendous under appreciation for the virtues on tube amplification on the Harbeth website.
Any thoughts?
mpomerantz

Showing 1 response by audiothesis

The SHL5+ requires some power to wake up. If going tubes I would recommend a stronger amp with 35+ watts. I’ve tried 30 and under and it simply wasn’t enough. The MastersounD BoX and Triode TRV-88ser did well powering them. I don’t recommend Single ended amps with these unless it’s a beefy parallel Single ended one. 

On on the other hand, the 30.2 absolutely sings with a modestly powered tube amp.