I auditioned the Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Model speakers with 7 different high end integrated amps. I thought they sounded outstanding with every amp I tried. Just for the record the 7 amps that were auditioned included the Pass Labs int 60, Luxman 509x, Simaudio 700i, Naim Supernait 3, VAC 170i, Gryphon D300, and Hegel H390. IMHO, the Harbeths are extremely versatile and seem to have a very high "symbiosis quotient". I know there are very few speakers that sound great with every speaker. In fact, I’m not sure there is such a speaker. But, to my ears, the Harbeths sounded superb with all 7 of the integrated amps I auditioned.
Of all the amps, my ears preferred the Pass Labs int 60...that day and hour, that is. I ended up with the Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Model speakers for my system. However, wanting something where I’d never have to worry about transient peaks, yet keep the "Pass Labs sonic personality" that I love so much, I purchased the Pass Labs int 250 to go with the Harbeths. And I probably would have been just as satisfied with the Pass Labs int 60. But I couldn’t be happier. For a little extra magic "pixie dust" I’m running the Pass Labs int 250 and Harbeth speakers through a dual power supply MSB Discrete DAC. Sonic heaven.
Anyway, I obviously love the Harbeths. But there are so many speakers I haven’t auditioned. Some may sound different. Some may even sound better. I may never know for sure since it would require a lot of national and international travel to audition them all. But since I put all my money into my system I won’t be doing any extensive traveling for a good long time. So I’ll just have to be contented with what I have. No problem there whatsoever. Sorry this was so long. My 2 cents.
Of all the amps, my ears preferred the Pass Labs int 60...that day and hour, that is. I ended up with the Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary Model speakers for my system. However, wanting something where I’d never have to worry about transient peaks, yet keep the "Pass Labs sonic personality" that I love so much, I purchased the Pass Labs int 250 to go with the Harbeths. And I probably would have been just as satisfied with the Pass Labs int 60. But I couldn’t be happier. For a little extra magic "pixie dust" I’m running the Pass Labs int 250 and Harbeth speakers through a dual power supply MSB Discrete DAC. Sonic heaven.
Anyway, I obviously love the Harbeths. But there are so many speakers I haven’t auditioned. Some may sound different. Some may even sound better. I may never know for sure since it would require a lot of national and international travel to audition them all. But since I put all my money into my system I won’t be doing any extensive traveling for a good long time. So I’ll just have to be contented with what I have. No problem there whatsoever. Sorry this was so long. My 2 cents.