Recommend an integrated amp for my Harbeth 40.1's

You can see 3 UK-based perspectives at http://lfd4u.com/?s=40.1
Might be useful?

Once a tube man always will be. Congratulations on getting back on track with the MA2275.

My results with using SS amps (Bryston 7Bsst) was the same. I quickly put the Manleys back in and now use the VTL's. Congrats on getting what works for you!

Well I'm on day two with my MA2275 that I bought from AudioClassics. I did
not waste any time with the new set of stock tubes that they included, and
instead, immediately installed a fresh quad of Gold Lion reissue KT88's and
NOS Telefunken smooth plates in the 12AT7 & 12AX7 slots (except for
Sovteks for the phono tubes as I don't have any vinyl).

Right out of the gate I was very impressed with the sound. The texture,
warmth and robust sound of tubes is back in my life and all is well in my
world again. I feel like I've finally learned my lesson and will never go back to
solid state again.

The MA2275 is absolutely stunning to look at. I was never a huge fan of the
Mac look until I actually owned them (previously had the MC275 MKV). The
build quality of the MA2275 is superb... robust and very easy on the eyes,
especially at night when the panel and big blue power meters are lit up. Just a
timeless classic piece of tube gear all wrapped into one beautiful sounding
integrated amp. I'm really floored by how happy I am with this gear! It has no
problem driving my Harbeth M-40.1's and they sound great together... from
Diana Krall's Live in Paris, to Duke Ellington's Four Symphonic Works, to Matt
Nathanson's Live at the Point, my system has never sounded so fine.

Also, I'd like to give a big plug to AudioClassics. Frank Gow patiently spent at
least an hour with me over the phone talking pros and cons of different Mac
integrateds. Even though it was used unit, the MA2275 showed up in like-
new condition and was packaged to survive a nuclear blast. They shipped it
the same day I ordered it and it showed up two days later. Can't say enough
about my experience with them. I had the opportunity to buy a newer unit
from an Audiogoner for $400 less than what I paid with AudioClassics, but
the seller was such an arrogant Jackwagon that I went with the higher priced,
but trustworthy seller (AudioClassics).

At least you've tried the Musical Fidelity and figured out yourself it doesn't suit you. If you don't try you would never know.

It is good to hear you have set your priorities right now knowing what you want to achieve in your system. I hope the McIntosh MA2775 would live up to your expectations.

Well, my experiment with trying to go back to a lower cost solid state set up has
been short lived.

I've realized that I won't be satisfied with anything but tubes, so I've sold the
Musical Fidelity and will be buying a McIntosh MA2275 tube integrated.

I'm optimistic that the MA2275 with an upgrade from the stock tubes will sound
similar to my previous set up of a McIntosh MC275 MK V & Aesthetix Calypso.

As a current owner of BAT 300X SE and former owner of Pass INT-30A, MF Tri-Vista, Nu-Vista, Plinius 9200, McIntosh 6500, Cary SLI-80, Rogue Tempest II, Jadis Orchestra Ref, and many others, I have to say BAT is one of the best out there. It combines speed, focus, transparency, and detail in one box.

Many prefers the 6922 version, I have not heard it but I do like BAT gears with 6H30 since Victor knows how to implement 6H30 better than most.

With Harbeth, I think you can benefit from BAT's strength in case your MF didn't work out for you.

Sweet great choice. That MF is built like a tank!

Congrats. Hope the amp works out for you.

Do update this thread once the MF Nuvista M3 is hooked up to the system. I would be interested to hear your initial impressions on the unit. The amp is certainly built like a tank and shares an almost similar resemblance to the new Pass Labs X-series amps.

Cheers.

I just sealed a deal for a Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3 integrated. Hoping there will be British synergy between the Harbeths and the Mus. Fidelity .

I have the Anthem Jaybo mentioned and am really pleased with it. It's like a Naim for tunefulness but it also has modern sonic virtues in terms of detail and separation. Gobs of power, also. Otherwise I might consider the Naim XS or investigate what Class D integrateds fit that price range. Perhaps even the Channel Island monoblocks which are tiny and can save you on speaker cable and be placed nearer each speaker.

Something that will more bearing on bass response if of course speaker placement, the stands, and your room.

I've owned the Plinus 8200 MK II and thought it was a solid integrated, but a bit too warm and lacking transparency for the already warm Harbeths.

Any thoughts on the Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3? Seems to have plenty of power and has a decent following from what I can glean in the archives. My only concern would be customer service should I need it repaired as the units are around 10 years old.

Since you indicated a willingness to buy used, I'd suggest you consider a Plinius integrated as they seem to provide considerable tube-like texture and presence with typical solid state grip on the low end. Pretty good phono stage is a bonus. Seems the Vincent hybrid gets good feedback as well, but I've not heard it. Suspect you might like the Cary SLi80, and I've heard it drive tough loads as well and has a wonderful midrange.

Though I never heard this particular combination but perhaps used Rowland integrated is also worth considering. His customer support is among the very best too.

You might give a call to the USA distributor. The number listed on Harbeth's website is 603-437-4769.

The Arcam integrated is junk,so bad my brother who worked for a dealer for years had so many returns they dropped the line.IMO, Naim would be good as well as Mac.

Take a look @ the newer Roksan integrated (<$2K) as reviewed by Sterophile.

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/roksan_kandy_k2_integrated_amplifier/

Less expensive, but two pieces, would be a used Quad 99/909 combo (probably <$1.5K).

anthem's 2 channel is killer...a great value too.

These would all come close to your 2500.00 budget if bought used. BAT 300X, Luxman 505u. If you can stretch a little more. Mcintosh MA6900, or 7000. Luxman 509u.
If i was looking for an integrated to use with my 40.1s, it would most likely be one of these.

The Luxman 505u has a really good syerngy with Harbeth speakers if you need more PRAAT than what the Accuphase Int amps can offer.
Its a simple int amp w/ bass and treble controls just like the accuphase. THe bass control is handy because the M40.1 has a heavy bass which possibly can overload some rooms.

Good luck!

How about an Odyssey Audio Cyclops integrated? It puts out 110wpc and 40 amps peak. That should control your Harbeth speakers quite well. They sell it on their web site for 995 and you can get a souped up version for a little more. They also come with a 20 year warranty.

I am a VERY satisified owner of their Stratos stereo Extreme amp and Kismet Reference speakers.

Bob

With the 40.1's you do need a fair bit of power to control the 12" woofer despite claims on the easy load of the Harbeth, especially if one listens at moderate to high volume levels. I believe the choice of going with either Luxman, Accuphase or Naim is dependent on the listener's preference. All of them are good solid units built to a high level, especially the Luxman and Accuphase.

If choosing the Naim, you have only one choice, that is the Supernait which is the most powerful integrated available. As Lindisfarne has mentioned, the new Naim amps have more flexibility in the provision of RCA phono inputs, hence you can hook up your CD player to the amp using your existing interconnects. There is no balanced though.

As Egoss has aptly pointed out, going up the Naim ladder is a costly affair. Having said that a Harbeth C7ES3 user located in Minneapolis MN is using Naim NAC252/250/Supercap to drive his speakers. Arcam is great but I don't think the integrateds have the juice to power the 40.1's. Also, the Arcam's house sound is a little sterile and clean which is the opposite of Naim's lively with a lot of PRaT and boogie factor. Both sound pretty different.

Although I have not listened to both Accuphase and Luxman, I wager both will sound smoother than the Naim with a more liquid top end and texture in the mids. However, they won't have the PRaT and toe-tapping factor of the Naim especially when it comes to rock music. An SHL5 user "Denjo" used to own an Accuphase E450 but switched to the Naim Uniti as he prefers the PRaT qualities of the Naim more. The Accuphase and Luxman will probably/most likely sound closer to your Aesthetix Calpyso/Mcintosh MC275MkV combination though.

The Naim range is a good suggestion, but they can be very expensive once you get into their upgrade path. Pick up an Arcam A38 and your search is over. Great integrated, current model, well supported - and there are some decent deals around. E-mail if you have any questions. Not a dealer, just a satisfied Arcam owner.

Naim. Their newer stuff allows for more cabling flexibility.