System Upgrade

Excellent comments by the others. I would add, though, that if you already haven't you should try all four settings of the impedance selector switch that is on the rear panel of your amp.

When I hear someone refer to lack of "presence" I envision an under-emphasis of significant parts of the mid-range. And assuming that the impedance curve of your speakers is the same as or similar to what is depicted in Stereophile's measurements of the Super HL5plus, the speaker's impedance in critical parts of the mid-range is vastly higher than in other parts of the spectrum, and is also vastly higher than its 6 ohm nominal impedance.  Which suggests, for example, that the 6 ohm setting of your amp may very well not be optimal even though it corresponds to the speaker's specified nominal impedance.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al
  

Thank you. It i s @ 100%.

Integrated or Separates. Just took a look at  the Luxman 509X. Preferred budget is $5-$8k.

Hi Mdmdwyer- Yes the amp is a bit on the low side for this setup, but there is ONE thing you should check first.  The DSD DAC has an internal volume control.  Make SURE that you have that at 100% otherwise it does sound a bit dull and muffled.  Hopefully that is all this is.  Good Listening!!

Budget? Integrated or separates?

Preferably valve but i may still be short on power.

Thank you. Suggested amp pairing with the Harbeths?

Folks above are right. It’s probably a power amp issue due to inefficient Harbeths.  I think Leben pairs well with moderately efficient speakers (93dB and north). 

Sorry to say but I doubt anything will work but more power amplification to get those Harbeths to sing!

Thank you.

NOS.

Since I only recently acquired all the above, is there nothing else I can do? Preamp? Cables? Aurender or other?

How old are the tubes in your amp? Are they New production or NOS? Tubes sound flat and when they are starting to wear out. they also can sound thin and frequency extremes can start to decay. 

One other thing to consider is the Harbeth's are not that efficient.

Others might be correct. You might want to drive those Harbeths with more than the 32 watts that the Leben provide!

Thank you.

Sorry, but what I meant is that whichever way, volume or not, the sound is flat and lacks that dynamism and presence, esp. with opera/classic. Basis the reviews for each of the products, my expectations were higher. Perhaps I am rigged wrongly - thought of buying an Aurender W20 or N10 but it seems I may not get that much more out of it. Others have told me your Leben is the problem?

Thanks again.

The volume control set at the upper range of the dial is better than having it at the lower range. If that is the only problem you are having I doubt you need to change anything!