New speakers but old Rotel Amp

I read Herb R's Review on the previous Harbeth 30.2s. He liked the Pass, but it appears that he preferred the PrimaLuna and more, but it's kind of hard for mo to decode the end of the review– what does his "But" and the following other "But" mean to me since I equally love to listen to the music in the background, engage with the music with my ears and play along with my guitar, and listen to the music in its entirety. I listened to Riders on the Storm three times. The first time was just hearing it while I was in the room, the second time I was seated, focused, and really listened to the song, and the third time was sitting and listening to the instruments. Right now I'm listening to a lot of Aaron Copland's music, pieces I heard Mr. Copland play on my grandmother's Steinway with my grandfather In their house as a kid. I can still see and hear it, he was such a nice man. Too bad I was too young to appreciate it to the extent I do now.

"the dealer I bought the speaker from said I could have done better, and is suggesting a BAT-56 (non SE) or a Rogue, or a Bryston 3B3 amp."


DONT DO IT! Why are these three brands the ones?? I for one do not like the sound from BAT, others really do, this is a BIG decision, I find Prima Luna to be very soft and luxurious sounding if that is appealing to you then I would start by testing out a PL AMP. Manley labs plus Harbeth equals Magic (just saying).


Matt M

They're probably the ones because they're what he sells, I would guess.
I have a second Rotel RB-981 I was using for the kitchen that isn't in use, and I was looking at the manual because I always wondered about bridging them. The manual states 8 ohm minimum and my speakers are 6 ohm. Is it really a minimum, or just keep the volume lower?

@mattmiller

i agree that primaluna amps are luscious sounding

but i would add that the tonality and extension can be managed and altered quite a bit via choice of tubes... one of PL’s design advantages is its flexibility in use of different power tubes as well as triode vs ultralinear operation... using these levers can swing the sound signature a significant amount

also pertaining to my earlier comment on solid state amps and bass control, the PL with the right output tubes (KT88 or stronger) gives very nice bass control for a tube amp

op should know that the monitor 30 is by far the most mid-rangey of the full size harbeth speakers (the mini monitor p3 excepted)... others have significantly more bass response and sparkly treble... in this respect the monitor 30 is more of a true monitor as used for broadcasting etc etc... vocal accuracy/prominence is prioritized

No experience with the 30s but I have the C7s which are plenty *midrangy*.You probably don't want to go with a lusher sounding amp as that would begin to be overly euphonic and obscure detail. If you are happy with your Rogue talk to mrdecible about your idea to bridge them. Something to think about anyway.
I run mine with a 60 watt Aric Audio tube amp and am very pleased with the sound. It won't play at rock concert levels but still really good dynamics and bass,especially with KT150s.