2. amps-preamps
  3. 175705-2567

which amp for bedroom system with harbeth 7es-3 XD

I have enjoyed my Art Audio18W set amp in my bedroom for a long time but recently got the Harbeth 7es-3 XD and while excellent sonically do think a little more juice might be better still.  

 

This is for a bedroom system so dont want to spend big bucks so primarily considering the Rogue stereo 100 or the Benchmark AHB2.  I have the benchmark la4 and benchmark dac so leaning towards going all benchmark.  I can say that with my ZMF verite closed headphones I am quite happy with the dac and heaphone amp on the preamplifier.  So I am not considering an integrated amplifier nor a tube preamp.

 

I hesitate with the AHB2 only in that dont need nor would get subterranean bass with the Harbeth in bedroom so perhaps the Rogue would sound better in the midrange.  I do like Herb Reichert reviews and he suprisingly preferred the rogue in ultralinear mode with the smaller still Harbeth 30.2.  I listed to all types of music but want a vocals champ and certainly dont want an amplifier that is forward sounding (although that is hard to do with Harbeth).

 

thanks

 

Michael

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pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,208 posts
 

@jjss49 Do you prefer Hegel 590 to a comparably priced tube amp with Harbeth 40 series (40.2 or 40.3)?

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

hi paul, most tube amps i have used seem to me to have too tubby bass when driving the big harbeths, i would say only audio research ref series tube amps (i have ref75 and ref110) approach the neighborhood of acceptability in that aspect... of course you do get a slightly sweeter treble and even more embodied voices etc from those tube amps, but i personally feel even with very good solid state (hegel, pass, ayre, primare, exposure, agd ... ) the mon 40 does voices and natural tone incredibly well already without tubes, and the hegel or similar ss amp driving the speaker preserves the midrange goodness while providing an enhanced sense of overall transparency, speed and transient clarity in the midbass down

as for the hegels, the h390 has a subtly softer touch to its treble, thus is a little more tube like (they voiced that model that way on purpose), while the 190 and 590 are very neutral/extended in the treble, airy, great sense of straight wire w gain, iron fist/velvet glove...

 

pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,208 posts
 

I trust your experience and advice.  I will have to keep that in mind if I ever feel the need to get a backup amp or replace my RM9 if it became irreparable.  Luxman 590axii is on my bucket list.

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