Are you open to the Phono stage being separate. Just that section I feel should be separate @layton64
Integrated Amp Pairing for Harbeth 30.2
I am asking you to suggest compatible solid state integrated amps that works well with the Harbeth 30.2. This is a downsizing exercise and the unit should have a DAC and Phono Stage, both MM and MC.
My budget is anything less than $13,000. A Krell Evo 222 and Krell 302 was my previous setup.
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I have the HARBETH 30.2XD’s …. But not in a “ unibox” electronics rig upstream I stayed with amp and sources as standalones as improved audio performance options over the unibox options.
My Take: The OSIRIS bested all contenders and pretenders in MY system… highly recommended with the HARBETHs. (….. LFD was my second choice . ….) FWIW: add in the ATC C1 Sub MK2 subwoofer with high level inputs from the beefy output OSIRIS…. an ideal pairing and EZ subwoofer integration with the HARBETHs as a sealed bottom-firing sub to flesh the bottom end below 50 Hz. Reviews: https://everydayaudiophile.com/2019/12/23/rega-osiris-a-dual-mono-champ/ https://audiofi.net/2012/08/rega-osiris-punching-heavy/ https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/rega-isis-cd-player-osiris-integrated-amplifier-tas-213/
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@layton64 alright then get this MM/MC Phono - Michael Fidler's Spartan 20 MM/MC Phono Stage
Order this by sending Michael an email here - order@michaelfidler.com Your speakers are pretty much not current demanding as their impedance stays above 6 Ohm throughout the frequency spectrum, that means they're basically amp agnostic and just need an amp with good power delivery and for the integrated that has a tremendous DAC stage, get this - Hegel H400 |
I love the Harbeth speakers, do them some real justice and consider a McIntosh MA8950. P.S. The MAC doesn’t care what speaker output taps you choose either, you can safely try 2,4,8 even though they are 6 ohms, doesn’t matter whatever sounds best to you! Also, I have owned my MAC amp since 2007 and never have i had to worry about it not working. And Yeah 200 watts a side is a lot of power,that’s the point, to make the Harbeth’s go from boxes playing really nice music, to real instruments in your listening room! https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/integrated-amplifiers/MA8950
Matt M
Matt M |
A MAC is always a good choice.....The European Class D integrated are the best in the marketplace IMHO.....The Gato's....Audia Flight...and Aavik ....If you can find an Aavik U-150 integrated (20K...with world class DAC and Phono stage ) @ around $8,000 used... . BUY IT...Outstanding piece of gear .Harbeth / Aavik is nice synergy. You'll love it! |
Have a pair of SuperHL5+ that pair well with my Naim Supernait3 Integrated but that lacks the additional features you’re looking for. It pairs almost as well with my Anthem STR integrated that has the features you’re looking for. It has a very nice phono stage, both MC & MM. I’ve never really used the DAC in it. Sound wise this amp is closer to neutral while the Naim has that PRaT thing going for it, if you believe in that. |
Vinnie Rossi see here Mike |
@jeffex00 they'd not disappoint you at all. That's a whole lot of power delivery, clean and efficient. The Hegel is excellent |
Most $13K speakers will easily outperform those Harbeths IME, even with an entry-level integrated, so I believe you’d be much better off upgrading the speakers with that budget. There are ≈$13K speakers (and much less with DIY options) that do everything better than a pair of 30.2s, even midrange and vocals. I do however agree with @mbmi that Audio Group Denmark (Aavik, Axxess) make some excellent integrateds in this price range that would likely have good synergy with Harbeths. I have a Forté 1 that I preferred to both the $9K Luxman 507Z and a Bel Canto E1X in a back-to-back comparison. It is a rarity of a SS amp in that its largest distortion harmonic is 2nd order. |
I have Harbeth Super HL 5 Plus and used to power it with the top of the line Hegel integrated and I didn’t like the match. My local shop got me a deal on a lightly used Accuphase E-600 and it suits my needs perfectly. If I was younger it wouldn’t be enough power for me but at almost 60 it’s not lacking anything. There's much better matches with Harbeth than Hegel. Nothing against Hegel. They have their place, but not so much with Harbeth IMO. |
That’s useful. Hegel is highly recommended by the Harbeth designer but I don’t trust him after reading his views on amplifiers. Accuphase is nice. The E-650 is highly recommended by many and supposed to sound better than the 600. |
Here you go. I had an ARC GSi75 for a couple years and it is a fantastic integrated with a superb phono and DAC. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650164993-audio-research-gsi75/ |
Ryder, I love my Harbeth's but I was really turned off by Alan Shaw telling people the speakers sounded just as good sitting on a stack of books. It's not true. I wasted a lot of my time and money figuring my old CS7's out because of his misleading information. Harbeth's need to be on stands with an open top (the surface the speaker sits on). I don't remember the stands he recommended because I've blocked it from my memory. All I remember is filling them with sand, telling the manufacturer that they sounded like trash and then they told me to try kitty litter. I found this stand maker called Resonant Woods based out of New Hampshire I believe that make stands specifically for Harbeth and they're the reason I still own Harbeth and love them. The difference was a jaw dropper. |
Donjr, I think he went about telling everyone he met the same thing about his speakers sounding just as good on a stack of books or telephone directories. At first I thought it was a joke but apparently he was serious about it. It was when I discovered about his steadfast views on amplifiers I began to not take him seriously anymore. Yes, speaker stands are important and I found that an open-top design sounds best with the Harbeth. The speakers are still good though. I owned the Harbeth for more than a decade, starting from Super HL5s (original) before upgrading to the HL5 Plus. I tried more than a dozen amps when I first bought the Super HL5s to make them work in my room. If I had not tried, I would have kept the Harbeth for just a year and not 14 years. I’ve switched from Harbeth to Graham about two years ago. |
