Help me complete my stereo system (Harbeth, ClearAudio Concept).


Hello Everyone,

I would like your help in completing my new 2 channel audio system.  My room is approximately (11ft X 14ft X 9ft ceiling) or about 42 square meters.  

I value good vinyl playback over streaming and CDs and listen mostly to small group jazz.  

I want to stay within a reasonable budget, so I'm focused on entry level components from high quality companies.  To give you an indication, I own a ClearAudio Concept with the Satisfy arm and MM cartridge.  

As far as speakers are concerned, it will be either the Harbeth P3ESR or Compact 7s.  I have auditioned both with expensive Accuphase amps and was blown away by the P3ESR, especially their natural, open sound and ability to fill a decent size room.  C7s struck me as less dynamic ... but let me know if those would be preferable considering my space and listening tastes.  

I am fairly certain that I will be favouring Solid State to drive the little Harbeth, and car analogy, realistically a well-tuned 4 cylinder turbo rather than a V8 with power to spare.  I plan to add a DAC for streaming and radio, more as a convenience than anything else (serious listening is always vinyl).  An onboard phono is preferred but not a deal breaker.  Speakers and stands to be considered separately.

Thanking everyone for their help and comments. 




juleman
@juleman

agree w @mesch

luxman (higher models)
hegel
pass

all are real winners with harbeth, just luscious sound

next tier imho would be
ayre
musical fidelity
naim

finally, an older but lovely one that is highly synergistic w harbeth is the last primare class a/b model... the i-30

tubes CAN work well with harbeths but they need to be very good tube amps with better than average power delivery and damping factor (always a challenge for typical transformer coupled tube amps) - benefit is even more otherworldly luscious midrange, cost is lack of bass control, bloat or too early roll off


There's a Harbeth / Luxman dealer not too too far, so I'll be able to audition a wide range of Harbeths and Luxman amps as soon as Covid allows.  

Heard the P3ERS with Accuphase ... blown away. 

While my current room is a relatively small sitting room, I want to make sure that my components are as close to final upgrades as possible so if I move in a few years they are still able to meet room demands.  

Next step will be a cartridge upgrade on my Clearaudio TT.  

I remain curious about Naim but I want to keep components to a minimum and it's very important that the onboard phono stage be able to do MM/MC.  In that respect Luxman may have an edge.  

This system will also have a streamer for internet radio, so there will be a fair bit of background music going and news and talk shows,  so I feel the amp has to be a jack of all trades with enough juice to make Harbeth sing no questions asked and not get too hot !

Naim is quite good, but once you acquire the taste for Accuphase or Luxman, you won’t be satisfied with Naim.