Luxman vs Accuphase for Harbeth 40.3 XD

@macg19

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

@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.

• incredible detail
• treble less forward, smoother
• across the spectrum more balanced (pun intended) 
• for sure bass is tighter
• esthetically it looks great and blends in nicely - I got the black version and everything else I have is black so the Roger's was literally the red-headed-step-child (this is the least important consideration though)

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.

I sold off my Luxman M900u for a Technics SU-R1000 with my Harbeth 40.3s. I think it is a fantastic match... between the Technics & the Harbeth, the detail and soundscape is so vast, but never at the expense of sounding natural and organic. I also owned a 509X which I loved, but never heard it with Harbeths. The Technics is a pretty stunning integrated right under $10K new.

@jsqt it’s gorgeous- if it sounds as good as it looks it would be amazing.

On my radar from Technics is the SL-1000RE - my local dealer says it beats TT in the 30-50K range