Pass Labs INT-25 Integrated amp paired with Harbeth 30.2 XD speakers

@philsons i want to share an interesting story. A few years ago, I owned 30.1s that I was using in my home office with a tube amp. They sounded quite good. I decided to sell them since I had upgraded to SHL5+ and didn’t want to keep too many speakers. The day the buyer came to audition them, we decided to move them to the main listening room and hook them up to the Luxman 590AXII (now sold). They sounded so frikinn’ good that I almost changed my mind. I wish I had paired them with the Luxman before or else I would have never sold them. They sounded like a completely different speaker with lots of air, bass, and increased resolution. The buyer told me he was planning negotiate a little but after hearing them, he paid my asking price and took them home. 
 

I also briefly auditioned the Hegel 390 in my system, although not with the 30.1s. I know that Alan Shaw demo’s the speakers with Hegel, but IMO, Luxman 590AXii was a match made in heaven. It really woke up the 30.1s and made beautiful music. I suspect 30.2 will be an even better match. 

@philsons sorry for the delay because my answer seems somewhat embarrassing.

At audio shows and stores, I demoed many components focusing on a full range floorstander for first system and a very high efficiency speaker for my foray into tube magic including flea watt SET amps.  But after hearing the Harbeth 30.2XD on several occasions, I loved the musical sound that I’m trying to find a reason and use to justify a 3rd Hegel+Harbeth system.  I know I’ve heard Hegel electronics.  Not sure if Hegel electronics were used with the Harbeths

@kennyc I’ve pretty much decided to look for a used pair of 30.2 XD in close future, just need to finish my current home renovation. I’m leaning for Luxman 590, but depends on what prices I can find second hand. Hegel 390 is a strong second candidate. 
 

Just curious, what kind of rigs you have 1st and 2nd ones?

@philsons

Just curious, what kind of rigs you have 1st and 2nd ones?

1st) Linear/neutral - Constellation Inspiration Pre+Stereo>Vimberg MinoD

2nd) Flea watt - Coincident M300B Frankenstein mkII>Volti Rival

I’d also love to get one of the best "musical" speaker I’ve demoed, a DeVore Orangutan O/96 matched with a Leben CS600.

If I move to a house with a large shared space like a family room,  likely the excellent omni speakers MBL 126/120, amplification maybe the MBL C51/N51.

Very grateful for the used market which makes a lot of excellent audio components affordable aka reachable.  

Interesting, that for the same song, each amp+speaker combo will have a different presentation. There’s also panel (ribbon, electrostatic, cone) and full horns