Luxman vs Accuphase for Harbeth 40.3 XD

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

Great thread, have really enjoyed. You certainly received lots of useful information from individuals with critical listening skills that seemed to be on the same page. Glad that you are happy with the BAT. Happy listening!  

Been looking for end game speaker as near retirement, in 10-20K range. Hoping to go to Axpona next April.  Would love to hear your Harbeths and Qln 

IMHO, it is really hard to beat the tube preamp/SS amp combination. Regret that I sold my ARC Reference 3. But I think a hybrid integrated is the best compromise. Asthetix Mimas has been on my radar. Will have to add your BAT to the list. If I do decide to go the separates route again, a Backert Rumba or a Zesto Leto would  be high on my list for tube preamp based on reviews and bang for the buck.

@dcevans Cool, glad you got something out this.

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

Have you looked into the Pathos Hybrid Integrated? I've heard from some reputable industry sources that they work very, very well together. Also, look up Norma Revo 140 Integrated. The Classe monoblocks get a thumbs up too. 

Here's another link I found that may be helpful if you are still on the hunt. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/amplifiers-in-use-with-big-harbeths-mon-40-series-that-work-very-well

I have a pair of 40.3XDs paired with an Accuphase E-800 and an Esoteric N-01XD streamer.  Both are connect to an Accuphase PS-530 and all are grounded with a Shunyata Altamira.  I am also running a pair of Rythmik E15HP2s. It is the most enjoyable, soothing and non fatiguing system I have ever heard.  It plays for 6+ hours a day.  It sounds great at 90+db but also sounds full and lush at 70db. Couldn’t be happier.  

@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.

I've been comparing my Accuphase A-48 to a Luxman M700 on my Harbeth P3ESRs near field. Also compared to my Hegel H590 and a pair of Topping la90d's with the Topping pre90. Mcintosh C2700 is my preamp.

When I put the Accuphase in there.. holy crap! it doubled the size of the speakers and pulled out more bass than those 4inch drivers should be able to produce. They were playing at a new level. The Accuphase leveled up the tonality, making the already sweet Harbeths even more delicious.

Fyi, the topping pre and la90 monos sounded damn close to the Hegel H590.

The Luxman was actually really good too. But just didn't have the tonality of the Accuphase. But it makes me wonder about the M900 or the m10x.

Switching from the hegel to the accupase/c700 on Kef r500's created a whole different sound stage. A/B-ing, the sound stage would go from a sort of wide and triangluar deep stage to a really wide, more airy and stretched out stage, still with depth, but more realistic depth. voices that seemed distant "into" the triangle came forward

Dying to get my hands on an Accuphase preamp like the c2900

@bataras those are some serious overkill amps for the Harbeth P3ESR in my opinion. Anyway to each his own. If I"m not mistaken, you are using your McIntosh C2700 with the Accuphase and Luxman power amps so it's not exactly an accurate representation of the actual performance of the Accuphase or Luxman amps. Ideally the Accuphase or Luxman amps should be matched with their own preamps. 

I realize the OP of this thread has settled down with BAT vk3500 and moved to the T+A PA 3100 HV after a while, instead of going with the initial plan of Accuphase and Luxman. As an owner of the Luxman L-590AXII and ex-owner of Harbeth SHL5+, I find the Luxman and Harbeth combination to lack something although I understand there are people who love the combination. The Harbeths require a vibrant and dynamic amp to produce an open and lifelike sound. Most neutral or warm sounding amps will cause the Harbeth to sound lacklustre and dull.