I've heard the VAC 160 with the C7es3 and it sounded wonderful. I will say that there was also a very nice REL sub in the mix. It might have not been needed. I didn't need a sub when I had a Rogue Cronus Magnum with my C7es3's.
What type of sound are you looking for? What music do you listen to? I've had a few integrated amps with the C7es3's. Actually tonight is my last night with them after 6 years. My dealer is stopping by tomorrow with my new HL5 Plus's in Tiger Ebony.
Leben amps are popular with Harbeth owners because the Japanese love Harbeth. The Japanese aren't much into speaker manufacturing but they make some serious electronics and they love Leben. I would like to think the VAC would be in line with the Leben but I've never heard a Leben.
If you live anywhere near Rochester NY, I might be able to set up an audition with the VAC and C7es3. |
Congrats on your new HL5s! I have the C7er3s in tiger ebony and P3esr in Rosewood.Both beautiful.
I listen to pretty much everything nowadays, but nothing too loud (I save that for when I drive:)). Mostly vocal and small ensemble.
Currently I have Naim gear. Unfortunately I am not in NY area, but might be able to find something in Southern California. |
Thank you!! My new speakers were delivered and setup around 1:30 PM and it's been on stop listening to music ever since. My wife and I started out with Melody Gardot, then Tears for Fears, Steely Dan, Talking Heads... and the list goes on. I was shocked at the beauty of the Tiger Ebony. My dealer lent me some HL5 stands because the ones ordered from Resonant Woods in New Hampshire aren't ready yet.
I wish you luck in your endeavor and I don't think either would be a bad choice. It would be a hard decision for me as well and might even come down to price. I listen to similar music as you do so you should stick with your tube plan or class A for solid state. Class a/b is okay but not ideal in my experience.
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Here's my experience with Harbeth and VAC: - Harbeth M-40.1's with Renaissance 30/30 MKIII had the best midrange I have ever experienced, but the bass was a bit loose and wooly. Female vocals and jazz are outstanding with this amp, but classical with complex passages could have benefited from more power.
- Harbeth M-40.1's with Renaissance 70/70 Signature had a nice warm relatively balanced sound... highly detailed, but very smooth and easy to listen too. Great with female vocals, jazz, acoustic and classical, but not so much with rock.
- Harbeth M-40.1's with Phi 200 (current setup) is more neutral than the Renaissance amps, lacking some of the magical midrange from the Ren's 300B's, but the bass is very solid/robust and the highs are notably more extended than the older Renaissance series amps. I get the best sound using the 2-4 ohm tap. Sounds good with all kinds of music, including rock and classical with complex passages.
- Harbeth SHL5's with Renaissance 70/70 Signature was a good combo... good dynamics, not overly warm and quite transparent. This was the only amp I tried on the SHL5's. I found I missed the bass that the 40.1's provided, so I sold them and purchased my second pair of 40.1's. I found the SHL5's to be too strident/detailed for my taste.
In all scenario's referenced above, I was using an Aesthetix Calypso preamp in either the original or Signature edition. |
I've owned a VAC Sigma 160i with Harbeth Super HL5+ for about a year now. The VAC has more than enough power a match made in heaven.
If you have any specific questions let me know. |
