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Help me complete my stereo system (Harbeth, ClearAudio Concept).

Hello Everyone,

I would like your help in completing my new 2 channel audio system.  My room is approximately (11ft X 14ft X 9ft ceiling) or about 42 square meters.  

I value good vinyl playback over streaming and CDs and listen mostly to small group jazz.  

I want to stay within a reasonable budget, so I'm focused on entry level components from high quality companies.  To give you an indication, I own a ClearAudio Concept with the Satisfy arm and MM cartridge.  

As far as speakers are concerned, it will be either the Harbeth P3ESR or Compact 7s.  I have auditioned both with expensive Accuphase amps and was blown away by the P3ESR, especially their natural, open sound and ability to fill a decent size room.  C7s struck me as less dynamic ... but let me know if those would be preferable considering my space and listening tastes.  

I am fairly certain that I will be favouring Solid State to drive the little Harbeth, and car analogy, realistically a well-tuned 4 cylinder turbo rather than a V8 with power to spare.  I plan to add a DAC for streaming and radio, more as a convenience than anything else (serious listening is always vinyl).  An onboard phono is preferred but not a deal breaker.  Speakers and stands to be considered separately.

Thanking everyone for their help and comments. 




juleman
juleman OP
40 posts
 
So far, the feedback and real world experience from owners is that P3ESR will be fine for my room size.  This confirms what I suspected and so my heart and mind are now set 100% on the P3s.

My current setup is Creek EVO 50A with smallish 4ohms speakers with 4 inch woofers and while these are fast, accurate, lack a bit of bass  and have good midrange, I find that I prefer a more natural presentation which has led me to Harbeth with midrange focus where I think is where music happens.  I play drums (jazz, light rock) and appreciate good tone and realistic timbres, and find anything bright fatiguing (slight tendnitis tendency...) so Harbeths are it, and considering other factors P3ESRs fit the bill.

Now on to amplification...  
mesch
3,530 posts
 
BEL, Brown Electronics Labs is no longer. Mr. Brown passed away in 2009. 
juleman OP
40 posts
 
I see, sure looked the business that amp.

mesch
3,530 posts
 
Yes, it is a great amplifier. Sorry, I was just providing info regarding power requirements, not trying to make a amp recommendation.

You might start a new thread requesting amp recommendations for the P3s. Provide budget, sonic preference, rooms size specifics therein. 
bezmania
11 posts
 
I drive my P3ESRs with a used set of analog Linn Klimax I ran into. After testing and comparing, I selected a Cambridge Audio Azure 851N as source. If the Linn hadn't crossed my path, I'd probably have auditioned the CA Azur power amp as well. That combo would set you back about 3k€, which would make sense given the P3's price. 

I understand that Harbeth general advice for amplification is that they're easy to drive, but you can't go wrong with a decent, beefy solid state amp. 
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