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BAT with Harbeth? Other recommendation..?

Hi everyone:

I'm waiting arrival of Harbeth M30s. I'm pretty much starting over with my system and the only piece I own is an Ayre C5Xe CD player so I'd like to use an amp/pre with balanced inputs. (or integrated amp)

I owned a BAT 51SE at one time and really liked it's performance and build quality but I want to go a little less 'high end' this time.

I'm thinking of the BAT VK220 and BAT VK3ix. I thought about the samller Ayre integrated but it's only available in silver and my Ayre CD is black. (I know, I know, but I'd like to keep the look somewhat the same:)

I thought about Blue Circle but they have @ 8-12 week lead time for equipment to be built. The Harbeth users group says matching an amp is realatively easy but many of the amps I've seen mentioned for Harbeths don't take XLR inputs, so I wanted to ask if any of you have heard Harbeth/BAT and what your thoughts are.

Thanky you!


classical1
salvo
5 posts
 
I had BAT VK600SE and Monitor 30 and the comb was excellent. You don't need 300 watts to drive the Harbeth therefore the VK220 will be just fine. The sound was detailed, transparent and very refined with a touch of warmth.

Regards
Salvo
tweak1
3,655 posts
 
I really like BAT, but if you're budget mnded consider a PS Audio GCC. Google for reviews. Fabulous sound, differentially balanced, best volume control, and full function remote
cmk
397 posts
 
2 weeks' ago I heard a friend's system which comprised : Ayre CDP, Blue Circle pre, Sanders ESL Stereo driving the Harbeth SHL5, cabling was Audio Magic. My jaw dropped. It was fast and dynamic and had great tonal accuracy and the images were outside the speaker and room boundaries.
nolitan
865 posts
 
Had owned M30 s for quite sometime. These are a bit warmer sounding speaker.
The Vk55 and the VK75 sounded really good with these. The VK220 i felt was just too warm for my taste.
I heard these speakers as well with accuphase gears, they also sounded awesome!
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