In my audio journey, I had to make enough mistakes to realize what kind of sound I’d come to enjoy within my budget. My path was to assemble systems based on components that I’d demo’d read about or purchased from dealers after 2 hour sessions. In around 2000, I helped a friend with an audio business. That was an eye-opening experience because I could listen to and sometimes live with gear that was in all the magazines.
It’s incredibly difficult and expensive to “have it all”. To chase a live sounding system that’s transparent, dynamic, full range, and capable of playing at concert levels is impossible, but people are trying to do it! Most need to compromise. I’ve seen people try to put a $5k integrated on a pair of $100,000 Wilson’s. It doesn’t work- it makes you run the other direction as the volume goes up. Wilson makes fantastic speakers.
My own solution is great, fairly efficient speaker, because I enjoy the musicality of low powered class A and tube amplification. Such a system has limitations but if I can have excellent transparency, close to full range, non fatiguing sound with acoustic and amplified instruments, electronica, rock, rap, etc, I’m on the right path for me.
I haven’t heard the Harbeth in question but if you like the Sonus Faber and want a little more liveliness you might try the middle line of Verity Audio. They make great sounding, efficient, tube friendly speakers that will play anything.
Will you be looking to buy the ideal amp for whatever speaker you get or will that come with time?
It’s incredibly difficult and expensive to “have it all”. To chase a live sounding system that’s transparent, dynamic, full range, and capable of playing at concert levels is impossible, but people are trying to do it! Most need to compromise. I’ve seen people try to put a $5k integrated on a pair of $100,000 Wilson’s. It doesn’t work- it makes you run the other direction as the volume goes up. Wilson makes fantastic speakers.
My own solution is great, fairly efficient speaker, because I enjoy the musicality of low powered class A and tube amplification. Such a system has limitations but if I can have excellent transparency, close to full range, non fatiguing sound with acoustic and amplified instruments, electronica, rock, rap, etc, I’m on the right path for me.
I haven’t heard the Harbeth in question but if you like the Sonus Faber and want a little more liveliness you might try the middle line of Verity Audio. They make great sounding, efficient, tube friendly speakers that will play anything.
Will you be looking to buy the ideal amp for whatever speaker you get or will that come with time?
