You said ’a’, did you mean ’a pair’? sensitivity 83, that is very low, how big is the space? I’m driving wharfedale 225s, sensitivity 87 with 10 wpc tube amp, and a 12" sub to keep it from sounding small. yours will want more power for sure. any space restraints? this pair of amps being sold here would probably be great if you have the space for one, or both of them https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisabd18-forte-model-5-solid-state?refsource=hifishark#&gid=1&... best if preamp has pre-out (to sub for it’s amp to handle the bass) and main in (back from sub without low bass), gives both the amp and small speakers a break, they both do a better job easily. |
Checkout Pro-ject. Should be a good fit for the P3s. BTW, I own those speakers! https://www.overtureav.com/audio/integrated-amplifiers/pro-ject-integrated-amps/ |
With those Harbeth's, a little power goes a long way to helping them open up and sound great. If you don't need built in streaming, I would look at the Rogue Sphinx. It is in the middle of your budget. Just plan to roll in some NOS tubes as the stock tubes are mediocre. Add $200 to $250 for those tubes. This is a 100w amp. If you need streaming, the NAD C368 with BluOS module would be my choice. It is $1449 and a tremendous amp for the money considering the features and delivers 80w. I have no relationship with Rogue, I am an NAD dealer. |
truth is, many decent amps can work well with the baby harbeths like all good speakers, they are fairly revealing of the source, so choose wisely harbeths have good transparency but a warm overall tone, so if you like even more of that character then pick a tube amp - conversely, if you like more a see through, hear through, extended sound, then pick a good solid state unit as harbeths have relatively relaxed treble presentation, even the lesser sharper sounding solid state units can sound pretty good... not as good as an ultra pure, more nuanced amp like a pass or ayre or hegel that will allow the speaker to do its magic in imaging and midrange palpability, but still pretty good |
