Luxman is back on the list. Will audition vs Naim Supernait. |
I'm thinking that I should look a bit more into the future.
The amp will have to be a good match for P3ESR for now but it should also be able to power larger Harbeths down the line to feed a bigger room (M30 or HL5).
In the meantime, the turntable can be upgraded to a moving coil for example. Considering how the vinyl will stack up in 3 to 5 years, I may go up the Clearaudio chain and upgrade the table too. |
Luxman has great MM/MC onboard phono, the Supernait is only MM and I want to keep boxes to a minimum. Also, from the reviews, I think the Luxman may have more of the signature sound I'm looking for (balanced), call it pipe and slippers if you want. |
I agree that the Luxman sound is supremely balanced, but pipe and slippers it ain’t. Not even by a long shot. I don’t know which Luxman model you’re looking at, but the 505 does not use the in-house transformer, and it shows. If you have a choice listen to 550 or higher models. |
I'm quite content with my 550 AX II and Compact 7's. I'm running a Kuzma table, Ref 313 arm, and EMT cart direct in to the very competent Lux phono section. There was a post I read that says the magic starts at 507. I can't comment on that, but would not discount the 550. I was concerned about lack of power, but that has not been an issue at all. I am in a medium size room...23 X 12 X 8 ft ceiling. |
...there is the 2.5-3.0 db difference between the 3's and 7's, but again, the 550 is very competent powering the latter. |
@juleman
I provide concierge service to CJ and can comment on CJ and Harbeth as well as Unison Research S6. Both great amps and options for you.
I have many clients pairing CJ and Harbeth. It is a stunning combination and one I never get tired of hearing. The Classic 62 and Classic 62SE are the primary amps that I sell that are matched with Harbeth, although recently 2 people went with the CAV 45S2. The CAV 45S2 is basically the Classic 62 with a volume control and 3 inputs. I use one as my daily amp when in the office and can listen to it all day long. I added Sophia Elecrtric EL 34s which took the performance to an entirely new level. Jeff Dorgay at TONE recently did a review of it.
The Unison Research S6 is another sleeper. It sounds wonderful...musical, detailed, engaging. However, it is 35 watts compared to the CJ 60 means you need to select your speakers correctly. But, it also mates well with Harbeth.
Good luck. |
@fjn04 There was a post I read that says the magic starts at 507. I can't comment on that, but would not discount the 550. I was the one who made that comment, and realized that I should have included the 550 in the 'where the magic starts' boundary. I agree that the 550 is significantly better than the 505. |
These are all great suggestions (Unison Research, CJ, Luxman 550). At this time, I have to say that the 550 is very enticing (pure Class A).
This said, I don't understand the hangup over 505, the build / layout look very similar to the other Class A/B amps in Luxman lineup, damping factor and voltage are in the same ballpark, until you get to the 509. |
The Unision S6 is also Class A. |
Hi Everyone,
Received my pair of P3ESR SE in rosewood yesterday. So here is a quick report :
- These are just first impressions :
1) My Creek Evo 50A can drive them but it will not make them sing. They like power. Alan Shaw is right they are not a hard pairing, they will play nicely, but if you pair a weaker/cheaper amp you won't get the full performance these speakers can deliver.
2) They sound a bit congested, the soundstage is not stable at this point, the bass response is changing right in the middle of a tune. I attribute all that to the fact that they need another 175 hours to break in.
3) The details, at least the ones that are showing up now, are lush, correct, detailed but non fatiguing, monitor-like but not sterile.
4) They can handle power and provide sufficient volume to fill my space (11 X 14 X 9) with a clean, detailed, lush sound. They will do this even more effortlessly and better with a class leading amp.
5) As everybody knows, the mid-range is amazing and voices (I let my wife do the honours and she picked Joni) are life-like with lots of natural detail... some wet eyes followed...
6) They love to be placed along the long wall of the room, wow ! ... but I need a way to sit in front of the fireplace to be in the sweet spot.
7) They are amazing for near field listening.
8) These little speakers are worth the investment in better stands and cables. Integrated amps will be auditioned soon.
Best to everyone
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@juleman -- congrats on owning one of the best mini-monitors in the business. They look even better in person compared to the pictures. In my case, it took well over 200 hours for the P3esr's to get to their most optimal level. The bass response will improve considerably after 200+ hours. Keep us posted on which amp you end up with. Good luck! |
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The P3s are replacing my Totem Arros, and these too have great attributes: fast, detailed, tuneful, decent bass. This said, it was time to try something else after 15 years and the tweeter has never been to my liking especially on the stuff I listen to. P3ESRs fit the bill. |
Update : the P3 ESRs are breaking in nicely. My Creek amp can get them to decent volume but I need to try something more powerful to make a final call. As soon as Covid allows I'll audition some Luxman / Harbeth combos. |
I am thinking you will like the Luxman/Harbeth combo. |
@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
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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 !
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Naim is quite good, but once you acquire the taste for Accuphase or Luxman, you won’t be satisfied with Naim. |
At the risk of offending the Naimsters I think you might be right. |
