Rega Brio R vs Wyred or Bel Canto

Although I haven't heard all of the equipment you've mentioned together, my gut says "No." I'm actually a fan of Bel Canto's implementation of Class D amplification, and am considering a purchase later next year of that same unit to go with my Ohm speakers in an office set up, but I can't help but think the unit would not match the system you've already assembled.

I don't know which Schiit amp you have or what headphones, but I imagine that the dedicated unit will beat the ones in the BC or the W4S. Ditto for the DAC. I'm waiting to see how the W4S unit turns out before deciding between it and the BC. My main problem with the W4S is aesthetic. It may be compact and small, but it looks ugly as hell compared to the BC. W4S really needs to hire an industrial designer to improve the look of things. They make great products, but they don't look very good. Still, the extra watts make it worth the wait.

Have you ever heard Harbeth speakers with Class D? Before making any decision, you might want to hear it. With the haircut you're going to take on resale of your present system, I don't think you'll save much money, and with the small footprint of your current components, I don't think you'll gain enough in terms of space to justify the hassle and the gamble. But this assumes you already like the Rega/Harbeth system.

How do you like the Brio R with the Harbeth PS3R's?

The Brio/ harbeth sounds nice. i relly have no complaints. Just thought Bel Canto in particular may have been an upgrade worth while to swap out what i had. Based on feedback i dont think its worth the effort to sell everything i have just to purchase something more compact.

selling stuff is a pain in the ass, especially if you are OCD about packing like i am. would you mind answering a question? you seem to have had a number of amps, including the primaluna, lfd,and exposure. which of these did you use with the harbeths? which was your favorite? how does the brio r compare to these with the harbeths. i ask because i have harbeth lust but not harbeth funds at this time...but i hope to get a pair of compact 7's in a couple of years. in the meantime, i love my vandersteen 2ce sig II's, but don't seem to be able to get away from the nagging desire to own a pair of harbeths. it's not rational, but there it is. i'm actually integrated tube amp shopping right now. going to audition a rogue cronus magnum with my vandersteens next week. i think it'll also do well with the harbeths when/if i get them down the road. anyway, any feedback on harbeth amp combinations would be appreciated.

unfortunately i only had a chance to use the exposure and the brio with the Harbeths. Liked the brio better and i nneded some funds so the exposure was sold. Heard good things about the Rogue with Harbeths. That being said the Vandersteens are great speakers as well. one thing i learned, at some point u have to be happy with what u have otherwise u will never stop. Just enjoy the music and stop being too critical. unless u spend ridiculous amounts of money the return on a small upgrade is not worth it. I used to enjoy music alot more before i became too aware of what i wanted to hear. Its about ENJOYING the music. I am off the upgrade path for a long while.

smart man. i think the surest path to audio bliss is to assemble a system you like well enough and then never look at an audio magazine or forum again. my only real problem with the vandersteens is that they occupy the living room like twin monoliths and are so good that they warrant better amplification/sources/cables. and that is when i start to go down the rabbit hole. they sounded superb with my doge/hibachi combo, but my need to simplify without shortchanging the vandersteens has me looking at a $2200 integrated. right now, i'm pretty attracted to the idea of selling everything, replacing it with an all rega system. i used to have the brio3/apollo and was contemplating going all rega when i got sidetracked into separates. i miss the simplicity and system synergy goes a long way. i'll be setting up the rega system audition around the same time as the rogue/vandersteen audition. by the end of january, a decison will be reached, this will be a dead topic, and i will be off the upgrade path until my income increases. enjoy your harbeths and your music!