2. amps-preamps
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What tube amp for Harbeth 40.1

I am looking for a tube amp for Harbeth 40.1.  I know many suggest SS amp such as Accuphase, Luxman, Hegel, McIntosh ... etc for Harbeth, but I decided to keep it with tube.  I also don’t think I need a lot of power.  I currently have a 8W custom built 300B and had a 18W Almarro 318B, and to me, they sound fine.  However, I think more power will help, and I never know what I missed until I try it out.  Having said that, I don’t think I need crazy power.  Anything 30-80W is good enough for me.  I am 3m away from the speakers, listen to Jazz at avg 83dB.

i have the following short list:
1) PrimaLuna Evo 400 integrated
2) Leben CS600X 
3) Linear Tube Audio Z40

Which one do people like with Harbeth?  Any other suggestion?

Among all qualities, I value holographic presentation the most.  I really like the feeling as if the singer is floating in front of me, if you know what I mean.  And my current 300B do pretty well in this regards, and I read this is what SET amps are good at.  Will I be disappointed with the above?
Thanks.
gte357s
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ken7
53 posts
 
Read Allen Shaw's various essays on power requirements for the Harbeth 40 series. He advocates high power needs and presents demos to prove his point. I personally use Classe CAM 200 mono amps in conjunction with a Conrad Johnson tube preamp to drive my 40.1's and the sound is stupendous
jazzguy43
39 posts
 
go get an ARC VT100 mk3! works great on mine! My REF110 is not as good on the M40.1s. 
hedva54885371
1 posts
 
Hi
Go for  AIR TIGHT ATM-2.
KT 88 tubes
80 W per channel.
Davud
bassdude
496 posts
 
Have both the 30.1’s and 40.2’s and agree with Harbeth, which always demo them with SS amps for optimum clarity, resolution and dynamics, especially with Hegel amps. They need a lot of something... watts, volts or current to clear them up and sound their best.

I like them with a tube preamp (ARC Ref 5SE with SS amps), which provides some of the qualities of both worlds.  They also seem to sound superb with the MacIntosh tube/SS hybrids.
aj523
373 posts
 
@bassdude 

Hi bassdude, just so i understand are you saying that if a piece of music like the second jazz piece they played on Alan's 2015 YouTube video from this thread which hit a top transient peak of 30 watts will have more clarity, resolution and dynamics if the amp is a SS vs. a tube, both delivering those same 30 watts?  Really?  
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