@jjss49 Good insight thank you.
I'm moving further away from Luxman / Accuphase and now more interested in Pass / Moon and maybe Gryphon - or staying where I am unless I can test-drive something used in my system.
Luxman vs Accuphase for Harbeth 40.3 XD
I'm considering trying a SS integrated to power my 40.3 XDs. I'll buy used.
I've heard great things about T+A but they are really pricey, and Luxman and Accuphase look interesting, there are 2 examples for sale currently.
Luxman L-509X $6,300 and Accuphase E650 $12K
I hear a lot about high damping factor being necessary to get the best out the the Harbeth's (Luxman is 370 and the Accuphase is 1000).
Honestly cannot justify $12K at the moment but I wondered if anyone has any thoughts on these 2 amps for my speakers? Or any other suggestions?
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I think that matching speakers and amps is more complicated. General idea is to bring the best out of the speakers not really trying to compensate for their possible shortcomings or/and hide them. In the above example, Accuphase might be more in tune with the Harbeths in terms of timbre and overall harmonic presentation, while Gryphon could give them more open and dynamic sound than Accuphase. And to get both one would have to go after D’Agostino Momentum, I suppose.
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if you go pass labs for the 40’s i would suggest staying with their x series and not xa series papa nelson dials in some extra midrange/midbass flesh/body into his xa series voicing, trading off some pristine treble and deep bass grip in his smaller class a units, whereas the x series gives a more perceptibly linear response from tippity top to rock bottom - for example, in my system, i felt the xa30.5 on my 40.3’s were a little too much of a good thing in the midband (little too wooly to my ear) whereas the older int150 (x150.5) was brought out more treble sparkle, air, and deep bass foundation |
@jjss49 thanks for the tip on pass amps
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@dayglow I contacted a local SimAudio dealer to see if I could hear the Moon 700i. He didn't' have any direct experience with Harbeth but called a fellow dealer who had the 40.3XD's as his personal speakers (he does not sell them FWTW). Anyway, the said the word was 100% go integrated, but the Sim dealer thought a better choice was the BAT VK3500 at $4K less them the 700i. I was looking a BAT tube integrated before I bought the Roger's, but never considered their hybrid SS int. A quick Google search found the VK3500 on sale at Music Direct for $9K with an open box for $6K so I snagged it - it was the only one. Installed it on Wed. I have not had a serious listening session yet, but the early impressions are very good.
We'll see what the next week or so brings. I've got 55 days to send it back if I'm not happy. Lastly, I had a few questions for BAT and Victor himself answered and was super helpful. I thought that was pretty cool.
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