Where did you go after Harbeth?

Hi Jeffreyds,

That's another option to stay with my SHL5 and try some SET amplifier with it. As I'm often on the Harbeth User Group, I know that some people use their Harbeth with SET with good results.

On my side, the lowest wattage I tried with my SHL5 was a 8W/channel transistor class A "The Zen". Surprisingly, it offers an incredibly well controlled bass. But when I want to crank the volume, it quickly miss gaz.

Sébastien

To Dodgealum,

Regarding what you said:

"If you listen exclusively to chamber music, female vocals, acoustic music and the like I could see living with a pair of Harbeth's till the end of time. However, if your tastes are more diverse and run toward rock, large symphonic works, big band, etc. then a speaker that can reproduce the scale and dynamics of those genres might be preferred."

I forgot to tell you that I mainly listen to small jazz ensemble, folk, post-rock, a little bit of new-wave, hip-hop and classical. All of which at low volume 80% of the time.

Sébastien

Hi Sébastien,

It's not surprising that the SHL5s quickly run out of steam with only 8 watts. The Cary 805Cs are rated for 50 watts. Also, there are other manufacturers of 845-based SET amps that put out more than the typical single-watt ratings of 300b, 2A3, 45, etc. Art Audio and deHavilland come to mind.

Also, I owned a pair of Zu Druid Mk4s for a short time that I recall having a somewhat similar sound to the Harbeths. I can't whole-heartedly recommend them because that was a long time ago, and I could never get them to properly integrate into my room with my equipment. Just an additional path for you to consider.

In my own experience, the ingredients to "the sound", meaning ultimate, lifelike reproduction consist of the following ingredients:

a 15 inch or larger woofer in a bass cabinet
a compression driver behind a decently large horn, crossed at around 500 Hz
a SET amplifier running the show

Sebastien1, if you happen to reside in the DC / Maryland area, I would be happy to have you listen to a proper horn setup with this configuration. It is "the sound".

I don't think an SET amp will properly drive your SHL5's. I found that my C7's liked power and sounded best with at least a solid 100 wpc amplifier. Though I never tried a SET or low power tube amp I have doubts about this pairing given my experience.