Hi all,
I am currently in the market for a good integrated or separate (pre/power) stereo amplifier to pair with my Harbeth SHL5s. The sources will be analogue signal from the Technics TT through the phono preamp (Yaqin MS-23b) and FLACs through the NuForce DAC (Both these are basic components, which I will upgrade in a bit too). I listen to everything under the sonic sun: Classic rock (a lot), western classical (a lot), Indian classical, Reggae, Motown, Easy listening.....
Well, having described the constants, my current little amplifier is the variable that needs replacing. My amplifier is the well acknowledged (at least in Europe) 'Rega Brio-r'. A compact integrated with a modest 55 Watts per channel at 8 ohms power. I have bee living with this amp and the Harbeths for a while now and have had an enjoyable time, but with a nagging feeling of missing somethings in the combination: Power, better soundstage (wider and deeper) and refinement of details. This is what I am looking for in the replacement.
I started with a budget of 1.5 lakhs and am alright stretching it a bit.
So, my appeal for advice is in helping me find a good match for these wonderful speakers, one which I can enjoy for a good few years to come. Here are my choices (already explored):
1. Rega Elicit-r:
A wonderful step-up from the Brio-r, decent power and well within my budget. I got a 'out-of-the-box' piece for a demo in my home and I listened to it for a while and compared it with some other amps as well. It is very energetic, great rhythm and has the house sound signature which I am used to. It also has a decent MM phono, which I may not use though.
But, when I compared it with the other amps down the list, I found it a bit bright and the bass is a bit loose and was a wee bit boomy at times.
2. NAD M3 master series:
An used piece which I compared alongside the Rega ELicit and found to be not a great match with the speakers. It was lacking the punch and was less involving. It was more refined in the upper notes and carried the bass well though. But the combination did not work for me and is off the list now.
3. Xindak tube pre + SS power (XA3200mk2+xa8550):
Demo piece which I listened to in comparison with the Rega elicit, and realised that the Xindaks were in a different league. Loads of power and head space, easily able to drive the harbeths across the range, great soundstage and imaging and I loved the control of the bass. Definitely a contender.
4. Trigon Exceed integrated (actually listened to the higher version - Epilogue instead):
A visit to 'The listening room' of Mr. Semler revealed he did not have the Exceed, which is also a little over my budget, but we ended up listening to the Epilogue with the Harbeths. These are at least 3 times over my budget, but was promised had the same sound signature as the Exceed, so we went ahead with the audition. The epilogue presented the music beautifully, great refinement, nothing either too bright or too warm. Very neutral and detailed. Loved the soundstage and was impressed with the depth of the stage.
However, slightly worried that it was firstly the Epilogue amplifier and not Exceed, and secondly, the room had great acoustics and am concerned that the amplifier I am interested in will therefore be a complete blind buy.
5. Acousic Portrait - Thyaaga:
The nice people from AP sent over their amplifier yesterday and I set it up with the Harbeths and auditioned it. The amplifier is a tube pre and SS power hybrid with loads of power. But, it began with a disappointing lack of warmth, every type of music played was screaming in our ears and forced us to skip ahead. Also, the remote was a generic one and did not control the volume know well. for example 9'o clock was too low and lacking details, while 10'o was screaming with too much details. I then used my Rega remote and it controlled it better. But, the bass was missing and the highs were too bright throughout.
However, just when we had had enough, AP called and requested we check with their own speaker cables and interconnects. We did and the difference was drastic. Much better, tighter and lower bass, not as lean as before and the overall presentation improved too. So, it must have been either my Rega interconnects or the QED XT40 cables (both relatively new and not burned in). But the combination of my Harbeths and the AP was still fatiguing at anything 10'o and over.
Overall, a good amplifier with loads of power. I urge people to try it. It was not working very well with my speakers, but I may wait for their separates under development and due in a month or so.
In summary, I am still not close to the end of the search, though the Xindaks and Trigon are tempting. Also, there is an Accuphase in the used market which is very attractive, but the price is almost twice my initial budget. Is it worth it? Should I be considering any other options? Any tips on a good deal going anywhere you may know?
Please help, suggest, recommend and advice.
I am currently in the market for a good integrated or separate (pre/power) stereo amplifier to pair with my Harbeth SHL5s. The sources will be analogue signal from the Technics TT through the phono preamp (Yaqin MS-23b) and FLACs through the NuForce DAC (Both these are basic components, which I will upgrade in a bit too). I listen to everything under the sonic sun: Classic rock (a lot), western classical (a lot), Indian classical, Reggae, Motown, Easy listening.....
Well, having described the constants, my current little amplifier is the variable that needs replacing. My amplifier is the well acknowledged (at least in Europe) 'Rega Brio-r'. A compact integrated with a modest 55 Watts per channel at 8 ohms power. I have bee living with this amp and the Harbeths for a while now and have had an enjoyable time, but with a nagging feeling of missing somethings in the combination: Power, better soundstage (wider and deeper) and refinement of details. This is what I am looking for in the replacement.
I started with a budget of 1.5 lakhs and am alright stretching it a bit.
So, my appeal for advice is in helping me find a good match for these wonderful speakers, one which I can enjoy for a good few years to come. Here are my choices (already explored):
1. Rega Elicit-r:
A wonderful step-up from the Brio-r, decent power and well within my budget. I got a 'out-of-the-box' piece for a demo in my home and I listened to it for a while and compared it with some other amps as well. It is very energetic, great rhythm and has the house sound signature which I am used to. It also has a decent MM phono, which I may not use though.
But, when I compared it with the other amps down the list, I found it a bit bright and the bass is a bit loose and was a wee bit boomy at times.
2. NAD M3 master series:
An used piece which I compared alongside the Rega ELicit and found to be not a great match with the speakers. It was lacking the punch and was less involving. It was more refined in the upper notes and carried the bass well though. But the combination did not work for me and is off the list now.
3. Xindak tube pre + SS power (XA3200mk2+xa8550):
Demo piece which I listened to in comparison with the Rega elicit, and realised that the Xindaks were in a different league. Loads of power and head space, easily able to drive the harbeths across the range, great soundstage and imaging and I loved the control of the bass. Definitely a contender.
4. Trigon Exceed integrated (actually listened to the higher version - Epilogue instead):
A visit to 'The listening room' of Mr. Semler revealed he did not have the Exceed, which is also a little over my budget, but we ended up listening to the Epilogue with the Harbeths. These are at least 3 times over my budget, but was promised had the same sound signature as the Exceed, so we went ahead with the audition. The epilogue presented the music beautifully, great refinement, nothing either too bright or too warm. Very neutral and detailed. Loved the soundstage and was impressed with the depth of the stage.
However, slightly worried that it was firstly the Epilogue amplifier and not Exceed, and secondly, the room had great acoustics and am concerned that the amplifier I am interested in will therefore be a complete blind buy.
5. Acousic Portrait - Thyaaga:
The nice people from AP sent over their amplifier yesterday and I set it up with the Harbeths and auditioned it. The amplifier is a tube pre and SS power hybrid with loads of power. But, it began with a disappointing lack of warmth, every type of music played was screaming in our ears and forced us to skip ahead. Also, the remote was a generic one and did not control the volume know well. for example 9'o clock was too low and lacking details, while 10'o was screaming with too much details. I then used my Rega remote and it controlled it better. But, the bass was missing and the highs were too bright throughout.
However, just when we had had enough, AP called and requested we check with their own speaker cables and interconnects. We did and the difference was drastic. Much better, tighter and lower bass, not as lean as before and the overall presentation improved too. So, it must have been either my Rega interconnects or the QED XT40 cables (both relatively new and not burned in). But the combination of my Harbeths and the AP was still fatiguing at anything 10'o and over.
Overall, a good amplifier with loads of power. I urge people to try it. It was not working very well with my speakers, but I may wait for their separates under development and due in a month or so.
In summary, I am still not close to the end of the search, though the Xindaks and Trigon are tempting. Also, there is an Accuphase in the used market which is very attractive, but the price is almost twice my initial budget. Is it worth it? Should I be considering any other options? Any tips on a good deal going anywhere you may know?
Please help, suggest, recommend and advice.
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