small hegel -- h95 or used h90 or rost
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You said ’a’, did you mean ’a pair’? sensitivity 83, that is very low, how big is the space? I’m driving wharfedale 225s, sensitivity 87 with 10 wpc tube amp, and a 12" sub to keep it from sounding small. yours will want more power for sure. any space restraints? this pair of amps being sold here would probably be great if you have the space for one, or both of them https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisabd18-forte-model-5-solid-state?refsource=hifishark#&gid=1&... best if preamp has pre-out (to sub for it’s amp to handle the bass) and main in (back from sub without low bass), gives both the amp and small speakers a break, they both do a better job easily. |
Checkout Pro-ject. Should be a good fit for the P3s. BTW, I own those speakers! https://www.overtureav.com/audio/integrated-amplifiers/pro-ject-integrated-amps/ |
With those Harbeth's, a little power goes a long way to helping them open up and sound great. If you don't need built in streaming, I would look at the Rogue Sphinx. It is in the middle of your budget. Just plan to roll in some NOS tubes as the stock tubes are mediocre. Add $200 to $250 for those tubes. This is a 100w amp. If you need streaming, the NAD C368 with BluOS module would be my choice. It is $1449 and a tremendous amp for the money considering the features and delivers 80w. I have no relationship with Rogue, I am an NAD dealer. |
truth is, many decent amps can work well with the baby harbeths like all good speakers, they are fairly revealing of the source, so choose wisely harbeths have good transparency but a warm overall tone, so if you like even more of that character then pick a tube amp - conversely, if you like more a see through, hear through, extended sound, then pick a good solid state unit as harbeths have relatively relaxed treble presentation, even the lesser sharper sounding solid state units can sound pretty good... not as good as an ultra pure, more nuanced amp like a pass or ayre or hegel that will allow the speaker to do its magic in imaging and midrange palpability, but still pretty good |
Assuming you will be at your desk while listening to the Harbeths, you wouldn't need a ton of power. For a small footprint integrated amp, I would highly recommend the Rega Brio - it's half-size, 50wpc (8ohms), non-fatiguing sound. If you intend to sometimes listen from a distance and want to fill a larger space, then more power would be required. |
@smrex13 makes a great point, desktop application and small footprint desired... rega unit or psa sprout or w4s mint would work nicely - all with half wide chassis, decent sound we all tend to spew out our favorites (myself guilty of this too) but it is important to note specifically what the op is asking for |
+ on the Hegel. I audition the Rost and it was a really nice piece. https://listenup.com/hegel-h90.html |
This is a tidy package as well if you are ok with class D. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649754296-ps-audio-stellar-strata-integrated-amplifier/ |
They’ve got an easy load, even for a tube. But don’t go big in loudness before distortion sets in, and only 83db so >50w/8ohm would be nice. https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/810Harfig1.jpg This US made integrated would be ideal, also has headphone amp if you can stretch the budget a little more. And can be loaded up with dac and/or phono stage as well if needed. https://www.schiit.com/products/ragnarok-1 Cheers George |
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