Integrated amp recommendations for harbeth 30.2 XD

BACKSTORY:

I’ve been in and out of the industry since 1976 as a specialist high-end retailer. I was for some years [until I resigned the franchise earlier this year] an official by which I mean full-time] :FD Audio retailer.

SCOPE:

This piece focus on my experiences as both a retailer and home-user of the NCSE I, NCESE II and NCSE III. Future posts, if I can find the time, might include my observations re other LFD Audio electronics.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

I am going to focus on the ‘upgrade’ path from NCSE 1 > NCSE II … but not NCSE II > NCSE III because I found the differences to be slight and unworthy of the price to change!

SOUCES AND SPEAKERS.

For continuity I always used a Sony CDP XE-530 with LFD Grainless interconnects and LFD Hybrid Ribbon Type R speakers cables. I didn’t use vinyl nor FM.

Speak pairs used included the superb Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures, Burton Somervell floor standers and my JPW Minims … an ebay bargain @ £25

A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD:

During such adventures I ALWAYS use a sound pressure meter [usually around £30] too ensure that everything is heard at the same volume.

MY REFERENCE:

XTZ CD and amps

AN INVALUABLE RETHINK:

At first, I was only interested in finding units which equalled or exceeded the NCSE 1’s performance without focus on cost! Then I thought, well why not look for pre-owned gear which closely but not entirely mimicked its performance at the lowest possible price? And that’s precisely what I did.

NCSE I versus the pre-owned rest part #1

Quad 44 + Quad 405

On the day, at my usual listening volume I could barely tell the difference. A higher volumes, the Quad pair was less shrill. At lower volumes, bass was lumpy, lacking definition and agility. However …

The NCSE 1 was sold for £1,150 and the Quad cost me £330 and therefore on the basis of overall satisfaction – in this specific context – the Quad combo was the winner.

That said, I knew instinctively that a more satisfactory outcome could be achieved for not much mire money, if I was patient.

CONCLUSIONS:

The NCSE 1 is a superb amp within its limitations

It has battleship build quality and very rare on the auction sites.

To date, 100% reliability other than the occasional volume control replacement under warranty.

You can get very close to the sound for far less money than the typical asking price!