Integrated amp recommendations for harbeth 30.2 XD

@jjss49 

I will. It replaced a Hegel h160, which, while not of the current generation of Hegel amps, was really quite good. Darko was using a newer, more powerful Hegel.

Having only had the GATO for ~24 hours, I can safely say that to my ear it is better, at least in terms of sound reproduction. The Hegel was, in some respects, more convenient, and I have some minor quibbles with the GATO remote, and display.

Of course the sound is paramount, and I am cycling through some of my more familiar CDs in an attempt to refine my thoughts, before I articulate them online.

My local Harbeth dealer only sells tube amplifiers.  I have heard the 30.2s with a number of low output tube amps and it sounds quite good with the to which it was paired--Synthesis Roma 96 (pushpull EL34, Synthesis A40 (pushpull KT66), and Audionote Cobra (pushpull EL34). 

This dealer has one solid state amp in the store, a Parasound amp that is used for demonstrating the difference between tube and solid state sound.  

If I were in the market for this speaker, I would not overlook tube amplification.  The need for high-powered amps for Harbeth speakers is overstated.

Not 30.2, yet I heard the 40.1s with two different Cary and CJ tube amps, in the 50w triode and 100w ultralinear range, larger transformers.  

Sounded really nice in the low to mid-volume range, not lacking anything really except maybe super fast snap to the bass if you are into that.  Very musical for sure, enough so we stopped listening to the differences with the gear itself, and much more engaged in the music.  

I must agree with Alan Shaw and those here who have recommended the Hegel H390, or H590 (which I have) and other Hegels.

I found these the only amplifiers to allow the Harbeth M30.1 and M40.2 to achieve their optimum sound. They absolutely require a powerful SS amp to do so... but... especially Hegel amps.

They clear up the bass and mids, and add the dynamics that others can’t achieve. I would not have kept either of these fine Harbeths, had I not heard them with the Hegel amps. IMO they allow the Harbeths to compete with about any speaker available!

Though, I could also consider the McIntosh MA252 and MA352 tube / SS hybrids as a close equivalent - they may even add some pristine highs that are unrivaled.

Check out these videos - you’ll be AMAZED:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=harbeth+30.1+with+hegel+

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=harbeth+30.1+and+mcintosh+ma252

Though - I’m sure the rooms and room treatments may add a lot!

I think I posted that my KRELL k-300i would be great with a Harbeth, but I deleted that post since I was set to sell the unit. However, today those plans have changed and the KRELL is needed.

I have heard the Harbeth with Luxman c900u and m900u combo and it was great. The Harbeth are usually not the type of speaker I gravitate towards. However, with the Luxman pairing It was great, but also very expensive

My KRELL k-300i integrated sounds a lot like that Luxman sound that I heard. Very smooth, detailed, and powerful. The internal DAC is OK and is what I will use in the future for convenience. I also hooked up a Gustard X26 Pro DAC and an AudioMirror Tubadour III SE with Fibre Optical streaming into USB and it was better than the internal DAC streamed to the NETWORK (RJ45) input.

I highly recommend this unit and I think it is the best integrated in the $12K and under price range that I have heard. The CODA CSiB is also another great integrated but I think the KRELL is a bit smoother (maybe a good thing), with stronger bass, and technically very advanced (with DAC option).