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What amplifier for Harbeth HL-5?

I recently bought a pair of Harbeth HL-5, and I think they are just great speakers: great midrange, great (but not excessive) detail, overall addictive. I currently drive them with a Shindo Monbrison preamp and an EAR 890 power amp. I also tried my second system's amplifier, an EAR 859, and despite its low power (13WPC), it drives them very well. Actually, it is hard to tell the difference between the EAR 859 and the Monbrison + EAR 890 combination, except that the former is slightly more forward. But my ears could hear very little difference between the two systems, which is surprising given the significant price difference. Since I think that I will keep them for a while, I would be curious to hear others' experiences with electronics for the HL-5.
ggavetti
triode20
5 posts
 
I using Bryston 4Bst and Bp-25 pre amp..very tigh bass, sweet mid, and Hf very clarity!...
bassoon
3 posts
 
I'm intrigued by the comments about SS amps working better than tube. Anyone ever done a controlled A-B comparison, tube vs SS with all else the same? I have Compact 7's driven with a Naim XS, and although I haven't tried it, I'm convinced the hint of dryness I hear would disappear with tubes. I have 40.1's on order and will be driving them with 45w of tubes. Dealer says that will work great. Overly optimistic? Guess I'll be finding out soon enough!
byegolly
140 posts
 
Comments thread:

Harbeth's sound just fine with most any decent amp, SS or tube. Harbeth's designer has conveyed this same message over and over. The Harbeth line on sub-implementation with their speakers is "no". Same answer with bi-amping & bi-wiring Harbeth's - no. I have tried those heavy & loaded stands as well as some $150-$200 light, open framed stands. The cheap-o stands sounded better in my space and with my Harbeth's. Really. LFD amps/integrated amps are very minimalistic looking products (thus not appealing to bell & whistle audiophiles) w/o remote control function that just sound really good. There certainly are many amps that probably are just as good, and know also you do not need big watt amps with Harbeth's to be happy. I say focus on the speaker placement and your room acoustics.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,191 posts
 
Bassoon - What amp will you be using with your 40.1's, and does the rest of your system consist of? I'm currently using a Plinius SA-102 Class A solid state amp with the Calypso preamp with NOS tubes.
nolitan
865 posts
 
SHL5s are not very fussy of amps irregardless tubes or s/s.
I have heard them in most combos and permutations and they sound great.
If you want a warmer presentation, more rounded, the tubes are the way to go!
If you want a more incise, detailed, defined bass presentation, the s/s is the way to go.
If you want in between, go with a tube pre-amp and s/s power amp or vice versa.
Some of the best SHL5s set-up i heard are done in this combo:
LFD integrated amp, CJ/VTL combo, Accuphase int, Accuphase combo (pre/power), the best one so far is in the Far East: I can't recall of the pre/amp as it was dark but the amp were the Lamms hybrid monoblocks. It was awesome!! A bit overkill but the capabilities of the harbeths were just highlighted to the max.
I also believe Jason Parmeter uses the Lamms with the Harbeths.
But the beauty of the SHL5s- anything will be fine!! easy speakers to please really!!
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