Power amp recommendation for Harbeth 30.2s


It’s not that I don’t like my current setup, it’s just that I wonder whether a more powerful amp would give the music more heft.  I’m running a pair of Harbeth 30.2s through a Prima Luna EVO 300 preamp driven by a vintage YBA Passion SS 400 power amp (purchased second hand from a reputable dealer).  I listen primarily to music streamed  from my FLAC stored collection on my NAS or from Qobuz through a Bluesound Node 2 into a Chord Qutest.   The YBA is very transparent and I love the sound of my system, but sometimes wonder on certain types of music whether a more powerful amp would be an improvement.  I like the idea of a SS or hybrid power amp paired with a tube preamp.  I chose the although  the Prima Luna preamp after listening to a Prima Luna integrated against a Hegel H590 (I had previously owned the Hegel H190) and purchased the YBA at the same time.  My listening choices are varied (folk, jazz, alternative, vocal, rock (not metal), so I’m not looking for ear shattering volume.  I don’t like the idea of a tube power amp due to both cost and how hot they can run.  I’m captivated by the Pass amps, but they are expensive.  I’ve also wondered about the Van Alstine hybrid amps.  I’m throwing this out to the experts because I may be overthinking this and should just be satisfied with the YBA until it finally fizzles (it’s pretty old).  Thoughts?
bfleetwood

Showing 2 responses by bassdude

Just get the H390 or H590 and be done with it! Very little else compares - believe me - thst’s what I’ve got!

Want better? Get yourself a AFC 5se (or better) preamp and a Bryston or Benchmark or Parasound Halo amp.

Harbeths never sounded better - ever!
I should note... that the H590 does not route the external preamp directly to the amp of the H590, but to the preamp of the H590.  So... while you can add some tube effects to the H590, you can do so only through the H590 preamp.  But, you still get some of the benefits of the external tube preamp.

Hegel says they do this to assure the correct matching impedence between the preamp and amp - which assures the Harbeths benefit from the H590. 

Whatever... it works well.