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Power amp recommendation for Harbeth 30.2s

It’s not that I don’t like my current setup, it’s just that I wonder whether a more powerful amp would give the music more heft.  I’m running a pair of Harbeth 30.2s through a Prima Luna EVO 300 preamp driven by a vintage YBA Passion SS 400 power amp (purchased second hand from a reputable dealer).  I listen primarily to music streamed  from my FLAC stored collection on my NAS or from Qobuz through a Bluesound Node 2 into a Chord Qutest.   The YBA is very transparent and I love the sound of my system, but sometimes wonder on certain types of music whether a more powerful amp would be an improvement.  I like the idea of a SS or hybrid power amp paired with a tube preamp.  I chose the although  the Prima Luna preamp after listening to a Prima Luna integrated against a Hegel H590 (I had previously owned the Hegel H190) and purchased the YBA at the same time.  My listening choices are varied (folk, jazz, alternative, vocal, rock (not metal), so I’m not looking for ear shattering volume.  I don’t like the idea of a tube power amp due to both cost and how hot they can run.  I’m captivated by the Pass amps, but they are expensive.  I’ve also wondered about the Van Alstine hybrid amps.  I’m throwing this out to the experts because I may be overthinking this and should just be satisfied with the YBA until it finally fizzles (it’s pretty old).  Thoughts?
bfleetwood
bfleetwood OP
20 posts
 
It sounds from the posts that I’ve not sufficiently explained my dilemma, so let me offer my apology.  I guess my real question is whether there would be a benefit in adding a more powerful amp or simply a different power amp to my system.  If yes, what might you recommend.  There are any number of recordings where the dynamic range of the music appears to call for more power (e.g. classical), whereas other recordings not.  I don’t like to push the volume control on the preamp to the 12 o’clock or beyond position, which might be naive on my part.  I know that Harbeth’s owner/designer often appears rather ambivalent about power, so I hope Harbeth owners have some insights.  I hope this helps.  
chayro
3,003 posts
 
It's funny - I had the Monitor 30s and they just had no bass in my room, which I thought was incredible because I had the SHL5s and now the P3s, which produce a better bass response in the same room.  I just chalked it up to the speaker not jibing with the room, but I have to agree with jjss that the 30's seem bass-light.  That said, I will tell you that, while I don't believe in "fixing" a system with cables, I cannot overstate the difference Purist Poseidon speaker cables made with my P3s.  You would not believe it was the same speaker.  When I first installed them, I was using the Stereophile CD to check L-R and phase and it starts with a Fender bass.  I was shocked at how the bass sounded like it was coming from an SHL5 and not a P3.  So if you're hung up on keeping the 30's and willing to experiment, I would definitely recommend looking into the cables.  
avanti1960
1,500 posts
 
I was not able to find specs on your amp but YBA appears to make good stuff- but there are differences among power amplifiers that make one better than the other at a given power rating.
Also it would be good to know your budget.  
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
How many watts per channel is your YBA amp?
bfleetwood OP
20 posts
 
My understanding is that the build quality of the YBA amp is superb.  I don’t have the manual and have not been able to locate one, but it appears it’s spec’d at 120 wpc into 8 ohms, although I have been told that’s very conservative.  It apparently sold at $6500 new (I paid $1250).  It’s not a question of not enough bass, I find the Harbeth’s to be extremely well-balanced and I have never experienced listener fatigue.  It’s just that I wonder sometimes whether more power would be better.   Budget-wise, I’d like to spend less than $5000 (as much less as possible).  I have always been intrigued by reviews and discussions within this forum where Harbeth’s are being driven by 30 wpc Pass Class A amps.  The whole wpc thing is still a mystery to me.  What power amps have Harbeth 30.2 owners found to work best?
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