Do Harbeth speakers really need a 4000 damping factor?


Just got Harbeth C7ES-3 XD and using them with a "lowly" Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amp - which with previous speaker (Canadian made Enigma) sounded OK. The Harbeth - are glorious with vocals and even piano sounds good but Orchestration seems somewhat muffled to me. I read that "Harbeth likes to demo with Hegel" (and Sugden?) but also that "Any good Amp will do".... The question is what is a good Amp? Would a Yamaha with 240 Damping factor suffice or really something like the Hegel with 4000? I am mentioning the damping factor specifically since it was such an obvious difference. On paper it looks like this might have a significant effect (assuming to the positive) on the sound. Any first hand experience opinions are appreciated. 

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I’ve heard them with tube amps and they sounded good.  I don’t know the DF of these amps, but I would be surprised if any was much above 8 or so.

I am using the speakers with open metal frame (3 columns, glass top with rubber bumpers - inexpensive) and cheap speaker wires. I intend to change the wires this weekend to see if it affect the sounds and I plan to build wood open frame stands... No idea if any of this will be audible,

All competently designed amps of low noise and distortion will sound alike.

Is that you Mr Hirsch?

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