My Harbeth C7ES-3 story...


I’ve been using Zu Omen DW’s for the past 2yrs and really enjoy them.

every time I go to RMAF I find myself enjoying the Harbeth and Spendor speakers, so I started researching them, stumbled upon the “bbc midrange magic” touted and everything thing I read pointed to something I thought I’d like.

my first step was to grab a pair of used Spendor S3/5’s. My thinking was if I enjoyed them I would then look for a bigger style. I was first looking at the Spendor A4 and A6R’s and as I kept reading I ran across the Harbeths. In particular the C7ES3 (Compact 7’s).

At this point I had researched like crazy and had my eye on a pair of used Spendor A6R’s. It was really hard to find used C7’s so I was leaning towards the Spendors.

I had a work trip coming up to Toronto and one day the week before as I’ve been scouring the audio marts a pair of C7’s popped up, and low and behold they were in Toronto!! 1 mile from the hotel I was staying. So I pinged the guy and we started talking. Told him I’ll be in town etc. so I setup a time to go over to his house. They were mint condition with original boxes, consecutive serials etc so I grabbed them! Best part the dollar is strong against Canadian so ended up getting them for 50% off new.

Another great part is the boxes are not too big and was able to check them in on the plane, so shipped them back with me for $60.

Got them home and now I have them setup on some Skylans.

my biggest fear was the low end was not going to be full enough but boy was I wrong. First impressions from just 1hr of listening... the Zu’s will be hitting the market. Everyone says the Zu’s are very forward which I was fine with and they have their place, but after hearing the magic sound of the Harbeths it suits my style better.

I’ll follow up with more impressions later.
128x128kray
So after buying the Harbeths I thought I’d search for some amp synergy. Been reading up on a lot of the same culprits that keep popping up like Naim (not a fan of the looks so no go for me)

My current combo is a VTA SP9 pre that uses 4x Telefunken 12AX7’s into a Bob Latino ST120 with 6550’s. I was fairly happy with the combo but thought I’d try some solid state since the ST120 is rated around 40wpc in triode mode.

first amp I snagged a deal on was a Audiolab 8300a integrated. 75wpc in dual mono configuration. First off I think it’s a beautiful piece!! Clean/sleek/modern/silver. Love it.

First impression was very good. It handled bass better than my ST120. It was right clean and punchy. Dead quiet and a smooth non fatiguing sound. Since my ears had been use to my tube combo, I thought I’d take advantage of one of the many features of the 8300a. You can use it as a Pre or amp or integrated.

So I started by using my tube pre into the 8300a as an amp. First thing I noticed was there was just something more. There seem to be more “air” around and a more holographic soundstage. I’m attributing this to the awesome Telefunkens.

Next up I setup the 8300a as a pre and fed the ST120. This combo came across as more clinical and less dynamic for some reason. Bass was a little wooly.

so basically the Tube pre with 8300a as amp was the best combo surprisingly.

if I didn’t have the tube pre I would have been happy with the 8300a as an integrated, but tasting and knowing the depth the tube pre adds I can’t rid of it.

as beautiful as the 8300a is, I’m on to my next demo.....

Decided to go all in and bought a LFD MK IV SE and a Belles Aria used. 

Plan on having a shootout with these two over the weekend. 
Having too much fun on this Merry-go-round

Can't wait to get off it for a while... hopefully soon
@gcknapp 

will do! Both are supposed to arrive by Saturday so if all goes well Sunday should be a great listening day