Luxman vs Accuphase for Harbeth 40.3 XD

@avanti1960 thanks for the reminder about Pass - that should definitely be on the list.

@lalitk Warm for sure. My guess is I should not be concerned about lower wpc specs of the Accuphase?

@stuartbmw3 @akg_ca I had (still have) 30.2's with 2 REL subs. I appreciate the feedback but the 40's are a completely different animal compared to any of the smaller Harbeth's.

System details are in my profile, but my current amp is Rogers High Fidelity EHF-200 MK2. This amp drives the big Harbeth's really well, and actually sounds much better with the 40's than the 30's, and inexplicably seems to drive the 40's with less effort. 

I have zero complaints with the current set up, I'm just interested in trying SS. (I have never owned a high-end SS amp).

Thanks for all the feedback thus far. 

@lalitk Thanks for the USA link

@donquichotte Thank you for the detailed and informative review. 

What I've learned from this thread is that I need to be very patient and audition whatever I buy next, if anything. Accuphase (but maybe not the E650) and Pass are likely the short list. 

I'm on a short vacation so a break from listening to my system for 5 days should "reset" my ears and enjoy what I have for a while...the grass may not be greener on the other side:)

@marco1 I tend to agree; if I'm going to make an end-game change to maximize the potential of the big Harbeth's, the INT 250 is probably the one. 

@dayglow Interesting contender, thanks. There is a 700i V1 for sale on USA for $5500 which seems like a pretty good deal.

@eugene81 Thanks, very helpful. Pass just keeps coming up and heat is not a factor. 

@dayglow Very helpful, thank you. Any comments on the V2 vs. V1 considering there is a V1 for sale for $5500?

@jjss49 Good insight thank you.

I'm moving further away from Luxman / Accuphase and now more interested in Pass / Moon and maybe Gryphon - or staying where I am unless I can test-drive something used in my system.

@jjss49 thanks for the tip on pass amps

@dayglow I contacted a local SimAudio dealer to see if I could hear the Moon 700i. He didn't' have any direct experience with Harbeth but called a fellow dealer who had the 40.3XD's as his personal speakers (he does not sell them FWTW).

Anyway, the said the word was 100% go integrated, but the Sim dealer thought a better choice was the BAT VK3500 at $4K less them the 700i.

I was looking a BAT tube integrated before I bought the Roger's, but never considered their hybrid SS int.

A quick Google search found the VK3500 on sale at Music Direct for $9K with an open box for $6K so I snagged it - it was the only one.

Installed it on Wed. I have not had a serious listening session yet, but the early impressions are very good.

• incredible detail
• treble less forward, smoother
• across the spectrum more balanced (pun intended) 
• for sure bass is tighter
• esthetically it looks great and blends in nicely - I got the black version and everything else I have is black so the Roger's was literally the red-headed-step-child (this is the least important consideration though)

We'll see what the next week or so brings. I've got 55 days to send it back if I'm not happy.

Lastly, I had a few questions for BAT and Victor himself answered and  was super helpful. I thought that was pretty cool.

@jsqt it’s gorgeous- if it sounds as good as it looks it would be amazing.

On my radar from Technics is the SL-1000RE - my local dealer says it beats TT in the 30-50K range

@dayglow Absolutely. I'm really happy with my analogue and digital sources, cables etc., they have been "stable" for quite a while now, and actually the BAT reinforced that.

@yogiboy No clue.

@jjss49 Yep - Monsieur dumass is amusing actually.

Thanks, you too - enjoy what's left of the holiday weekend if you are in the US.

Thanks for all the feedback. My goofyass speakers are sounding really good with the BAT. 

After a couple of 2-3 hour focused listening sessions, my comments above stand but I'd add sweet and very easy to listen to.

While I did not hear the Sim 700i, I think the Sim/BAT dealer gave me good advice.

@dpac996 Thanks for sharing your journey. When I first got the 40.3's I was really worried that the room was the issue - it's a big open space, really wide, 8ft ceiling.

Isopucks helped the speakers quite a bit but I now know that no matter how good the Rogers tube integrated is, the hybrid BAT is a much better match.

If I get a chance to listen to a Pass integrated I will but I lucked out - the Sim 700i idea  planted by dayglow led to the BAT and it is not clinical at all; to use your terminology, it is fresh and lively, as well as detailed and warm. 

Lastly, in my case the room was not the problem.

@marco1 Still $9K at MD. Good luck!

@bgross Not at all - useful info. At some point in the future I may move to separates: tube pre-amp and SS power-amp. 

@dcevans Cool, glad you got something out this.

Backbert and Zesto look really interesting, the Zesto looks gorgeous. I’ve bookmarked these, thx!

@audiophil88 @lewl28 I ended up buying. BAT vk3500 open box 50% off which was just OK in the end.

I’m now using the T+A PA 3100 HV and love it.