2. amps-preamps
  3. 181696-3553

Integrated amp recommendations for Harbeth 30.1

I have a pair of Harbeth 30.1 speakers, with Exposure CD player, Rega TT and an MHDT Orchid dac driven by an iMac. I sold my Exposure integrated and want to find something a bit warmer and something that can tame edgy recordings. The room is difficult, roughly 19 x 19 but I use diy wall treatments to settle it down. I do want a preamp out option to drive a JL Audio sub at moderate levels. I do not listen to music extremely loud. The speakers are 85 dB efficiency. I am looking to buy used and am considering a Supernait 3, a Pass INT-30a and a Coda CSib v1. Others I would consider would be Luxman, Sugden, LFD, Hegel, etc. So looking for experience with these amps with Harbeth or similar speakers. I am hoping to stay around $4k. And I hope to find something that I hold on to for a long time and proves reliable. Thanks for your thoughts. 

stuartbmw3
jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
578 posts
 

Almost forgot the room suggestion.

Try a placement, humor me, in which 

your gear is in a corner facing the diagonal

corner across the room. Then place the speakers

flanking the gear 2-3' out from the walls split apart 

by 8'. Place your listening chair 9' away in the triangle.

 

Let me know how it sounds!

 

soix
9,809 posts
 

Your biggest problem, by far, is using your iMac as your digital source.  Get yourself even something as simple as a $399 iFi Zen Stream and you’ll be much better off.  Using your iMac as a source — no, just no.  As for the integrated, Luxman, Coda, and Sugden would all be great choices.  Best of luck. 

stuartbmw3 OP
91 posts
 

No one like the Harbeth/Naim match? This where I thought I wanted to go.

stuartbmw3 OP
91 posts
 

Oh also, the iMac as a source is hardly ever used. Right now I use vinyl and cd as my source 95% of the time. I don’t really stream apart from playing the odd sound that I only have on the Mac.

tomcarr
1,546 posts
 

With 85 dB speakers I would guess you would need something rated at or above 150/300 w/ch/8 ohm/4 ohm

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