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Luxman integrated for Harbeth Compact 7's

I’m looking to move on from a Croft phono integrated, which quite honestly, is quite nice with the 7’s. But as it goes in this hobby, we tend to enjoy playing with gear. In searching the forums here and elsewhere, it seems this combination has made some quite happy. My price range is $5000-$6000K US, so it’s the Class A 550 unit which I have my eye on. Looking for some thoughts on this. The Croft is so darned good, I may hold on to it. Especially considering it would only bring in $1000 or so. Thanks for your thoughts.
fjn04

Showing 8 responses by fjn04

fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Thank you- the reason I was on the fence with the 550 was the rated power, and if it would be enough for my 86 db Harbeths. My guess is there will be a trade off of giving up ultimate grip and control in favor of refinement. In this instance, I'm ok with that trade off. The C7's are not quite a rock the house speaker anyway. I've definitely read the flagship 590's power is rated conservatively, so hopefully this holds true with the 550. 
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
riaa... Nah makes perfect sense, but that's not realistic at the moment. The C7's are a $4,000 speaker, so I would think my price range should make a well balanced setup. 

avanti1960: shall I PM you to get the rest of your thoughts? (-: The much better options I'm not considering. Thanks in advance. 
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Many (including the Lux) have a built in phono... a good thing because I would love to keep it simple. 
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Very nice...I'm sure they are both excellent. I just can't bring myself to go LFD, for the reasons you mention, along with it's lack of built in phono. I'd love to go one box...keep it simple, and not require another cable.
I have also heard Hegel and Harbeth are a nice match. Thank You!
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Luxman 550 AXii ordered. Thanks to all for your input. 
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
I have not received my 550 yet. Will chime back with an update. I should be getting close...ordered roughly 3 weeks ago. Cheers -Don
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 

My experience with the Luxman 550 AX/II and C7 es3 was not a bad one. I have nothing negative to say, other than for me it was nothing special. I’m also a tube guy who almost always prefers tubes in amplification and phono. My guess is everyone is right. The Luxman’s are excellent solid state amps but perhaps the laid back (non XD) C7’s wanted a little something the Luxman didn’t have....for me anyway. Perhaps I should have gone with the Lux class A/B option. So this is all about Synergy X 5, Mingus X 5...! arafiq, very impressive looking, and I’m sure sounding amp. It’s refreshing to hear the a50i has the grunt to push the Harbeth’s. I still feel like an outlier because I want to pair my 7’s with tubes. I would certainly be in the minority on HUG.

fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 

Very nice. Congrats on the purchase. That is supposed to be one heck of an amp. Have you considered Denafrips or Holo? 

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