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
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!!
I agree about them being easy to please. I had very good success with Nuforce and Harbeth -- rich, detailed, textured, present.
After reading through most comments from Harbeth owners, I concur with the notion that the Harbeth will work well with most good amplifiers out there. In other words, the sonic difference between good amps will be subtle at best. You will gain a little here and there and then lose some. If one already has a good amp that matches well with the Harbeth, I think it is more worthwhile to concentrate more on the source to obtain a more appreciable sonic difference. I tried a better phonostage on my analog setup just recently and was astounded by the degree of improvements it made to the sound.
Tend to agree with Ryder. An investment in better sources does yield a more significant difference than diffent amps!!
Best source is kind of a given - no? Who the heck spends a small fortune on audio components and then uses crappy source material?