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What tube amp for Harbeth 40.1

I am looking for a tube amp for Harbeth 40.1.  I know many suggest SS amp such as Accuphase, Luxman, Hegel, McIntosh ... etc for Harbeth, but I decided to keep it with tube.  I also don’t think I need a lot of power.  I currently have a 8W custom built 300B and had a 18W Almarro 318B, and to me, they sound fine.  However, I think more power will help, and I never know what I missed until I try it out.  Having said that, I don’t think I need crazy power.  Anything 30-80W is good enough for me.  I am 3m away from the speakers, listen to Jazz at avg 83dB.

i have the following short list:
1) PrimaLuna Evo 400 integrated
2) Leben CS600X 
3) Linear Tube Audio Z40

Which one do people like with Harbeth?  Any other suggestion?

Among all qualities, I value holographic presentation the most.  I really like the feeling as if the singer is floating in front of me, if you know what I mean.  And my current 300B do pretty well in this regards, and I read this is what SET amps are good at.  Will I be disappointed with the above?
Thanks.
gte357s
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,854 posts
 
Look for Tsakadiris tube amps, they are well made and very very musical , they have many accolades for audiophile that loves music,and emotions, I do own the Apollon monoblock, their stuff is very dynamic and versatile, they have 70 watt, mine are 150w using kt150, If you are looking for a tube amp, that will give you music and dynamics, this amp are the one ,they have different models, Toska audio here in Illinois carries them...my source for this amps SME 10 tt, Icon tube ps3, maRantz sacd, Schiit Gumby Dac, and Tellurium q cables...preamp Krell
paulfolbrecht
603 posts
 
Have you seen the video where and where A. Shaw demonstrates that the big Harbeths easily pull 500W on transients?

No offense, but you're cheating yourself using tubes of almost any power level with these speakers. They need lots of power, and are designed for a low-Zout amplifier.

These speakers, while having many great qualities, are not capable of anything close to lifelike dynamics even when given appropriate power. When they are not, they sound especially flat and dull.
big_greg
6,573 posts
 
Having heard the 40.2s with a 48 watt per channel integrated, I can attest to the fact that they were the exact opposite of "especially flat and dull".
gte357s OP
281 posts
 
I also don’t think the power makes it flat or dull.  It is more depending on the circuit.  I have two 300B amp, one is 11W and one is 8W.  Tested on my Spatial Audio X5, the 8W one sounds more dynamic. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,671 posts
 
Tested on my Spatial Audio X5, the 8W one sounds more dynamic.
Naturally- SETs make distortion in such a way that the distortion sounds like 'dynamics' to our ears. But I get your point- we have a lot of Harbeth owners as customers and somehow they seem to work quite well together.
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