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Harbeth Compact 7's on the way: Amp suggestions?

I recently purchased a new pair of Rosewood C7's. I should have them soon. I had the P3's in a small setup, and sold them about a year ago, so it's time to play again. I will incorporate these in to my main system, as an alternative speaker to listen to. System: Kuzma Stabi Ref, and Ref 313 VTA. EMT tsd 75 (Air Tight PC-7 on back up head shell), A23 Step Up, Shindo VR Pre/phono... The amp I will be using to Break In the 7's is a Croft Phono Integrated. The passive volume control will be in the chain, but I have tried this with the P3's, and it was better than I thought it would be. No knock on the Croft (it's really nice), but I think I will be moving on from it soon. Price range: $3,000...used or New... The great majority of Harbeth owners seem to have Solid State, but I'm open to either Tube or Solid State. I do think the former will have to have some Oomph...perhaps a quad of KT 88's or KT 150's. I'd like to avoid balanced topology, as I want to use my existing RCA cables. Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year. 
fjn04
gotog
138 posts
 
At the Bristol HiFi Show 2019, Alan Shaw expressed a preference for Hegel when showing the Compact 7’s
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
I'm lusting after the Air Tight ATM-2...A bit too much money. Thanks so far. 
smrex13
645 posts
 
I had the Compact 7s for a while in a vinyl-only system.  My experience was that a good solid state amp with 100+ watts made them sound best.  I believe that Alan Shaw makes similar claims on the Harbeth forums.  In any event, a Bryston integrated was my favorite, even better than the fantastic Primaluna Dialogue HP.  When I wanted some tube flavor to the system, I went with a tubed phono stage.  I imagine that a tube preamp with a solid state amp would work very well.  

Just my 2 cents,
Scott
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
I just noticed on this sites sister C7 thread, someone went Line Magnetic 518 22 watt SET. That's the second time within the last few weeks I heard of someone having success with low power tubes and Harbeths. The other model was above C7 though. I have heard the C7 is easier to drive than the HL5, despite the similar specs. My Shindo amp model are wired for a 16 Ohm load, and I'm just not going to go there. 
avanti1960
1,490 posts
 
The 100 WPC Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II made the C7ES3 sound better than most systems I have ever heard.  
Made them more transparent with midrange clarity and bloom.  My system has evolved up since then but not necessarily better....a magical combination if there ever was one.  
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