Valve amp
Mac, what other brands of cables do you have access to?
I think someone mentioned earlier a move to an amp using el34 valves.
I must agree and add that you might be best with Svetlana "winged C" el's. I'm currently using a mishmash of '34's but am working to get Svet's as their sound is well regarded for less warmth.
Harbeths and valves I imagine would be great if you like falling asleep to your music, though there are people that like the combo.
Interesting post opener is that one.
Based purely on your 'imagination' its a bit of sweeper dont you think ?.
Where are you based Macspur ?.
Where are you based Macspur ?.
Bromley Kent.
So what it is that you are exactly looking for? I would start thinking about changing the speakers if Sugden or MF didn't do it for you.
Try Naim with Harbeth if you are reluctant to do so, starting with the separates.
Thanks for the suggestion, but been there done that.
Won't be ditching the Harbeths any time soon, love them.
I may be chasing the unattainable, but I'm looking for that bit more lifelike sound and if valves don't give me that, I could easily live with the Sugden Harbeth combo for a while longer.
Cheers
Mac
Mac, as you know I have a valve amp...not sure what you mean by lifelike sound. The comb I heard AMS35i + Avalon Idea was the most lifelike sound I heard...it just sounded right. Guitar sounded exactly how it should....and separation of instruments was neat
On the other hand, I still preferred the tube sound because a bit more emotional, coloured...but I would say it is less "lifelike" if I understood correctly what you mean by the term. It is an amazing musical and emotional experience. You won't get over the heat problem though as my Jadis D50 Signature heats quite a lot...
The only tube monoblocks I heard were stunning...and had anything I could really complain about...but at what price? Over 25k euro...
I think what he's after might be more lively sound like SET + high efficiency speakers, which is what I was personally striving for. I once tried hard to get that sound with my Harbeth speakers, but they couldn't get anywhere near what I wanted.
Do consider some French amplifiers, such as Lavardin and Jadis. They are much more lively sounding than your usual British gears.
Mac, what other brands of cables do you have access to?
Just trying out some Audio Quest SC's forgive me, don't know the models, but one set are biwirable and the others are single and have a plastic box fixed near one end... the former are better, but still not enough difference to justify the expense.
Beginning to wonder is it just my hearing or dare I say it, are the Harbeth's the limiting factor! If it is, I will just have to resign myself to this is as good as it gets for me, as I really do enjoy the balanced SQ they give in my room and besides, I really don't want to be searching for more speakers.
Cheers
Mac
How about Leben? Very favorable review online with Harbeth, "freaky, scary, wildly, musically fantastic!" are words used.
You can pick up a CS600 for less than 2k and they pop up quite regular.
How about Leben? Very favorable review online with Harbeth, "freaky, scary, wildly, musically fantastic!" are words used.
You can pick up a CS600 for less than 2k and they pop up quite regular.
The dealer who recommended Mastersound also stocks Leben, but he thought the former would be a better match.
Cheers
Mac
If you are fussy and know exactly what you like, it can be difficult finding it....and you've tried harder than most.
I wouldn't give up until you've tried a mains cable, and some Black Ravioli (I've had good results from Clearer Audio and Darren could be worth a call)
http://www.cleareraudio.com/
Is there anything about your room acoustics that isn't helping - do you have a suspended wooden floor?
How about Leben? Very favorable review online with Harbeth, "freaky, scary, wildly, musically fantastic!" are words used.
You can pick up a CS600 for less than 2k and they pop up quite regular.
The dealer who recommended Mastersound also stocks Leben, but he thought the former would be a better match.
Cheers
Mac
Well thats great news, you can decide for yourself 
Seriously, if its there why not try it?
Hmmm, all food for thought. Thanks for all your insightful knowledge.
Ben, you may remember I used to have ATC SCM40's and could not eventually live with them, because of their dry , flat response, are the actives like this?
Cheers
Mac
Hi Mac, apologies, I had forgotten 
Tonally very similar to the 40s, ie neutral, although with your change of source and flexibility as to preamp I wonder whether you might be able to get what you want with them. They are very revealing of upstream components, and personally I prefer this approach to trying to use cables as tone controls. You could use a valve pre amp and not have the difficulties / limitations of needing very sensitive speakers.
This would involve some rather major changes but if you could get a demo of valve pre + ATC actives it might be worth it just to see what you think.
Cheers,
Ben
Harbeths and valves I imagine would be great if you like falling asleep to your music, though there are people that like the combo.
Interesting post opener is that one.
Based purely on your 'imagination' its a bit of sweeper dont you think ?.
I did own a pair of Harbeths. Great on speech and vocal/acoustic...
If you are fussy and know exactly what you like, it can be difficult finding it....and you've tried harder than most. I wouldn't give up until you've tried a mains cable, and some Black Ravioli (I've had good results from Clearer Audio and Darren could be worth a call) http://www.cleareraudio.com/ Is there anything about your room acoustics that isn't helping - do you have a suspended wooden floor?
I won't pretend my room is ideal and yes it does have a laminet flooring over floorboards, but since moving my set up away from the wall and up against the large window with blinds, base isn't really an issue like before.
I will ask Audio Destination if they've got any AQ power chords and Black Ravioli for me to try.
Cheers
Mac
- Login to post comments
Hmmm, all food for thought. Thanks for all your insightful knowledge.
Ben, you may remember I used to have ATC SCM40's and could not eventually live with them, because of their dry , flat response, are the actives like this?
Cheers
Mac
Accuphase E350 amp, Electrocompaniet EMC1UP CDP, Siltech 25th Classic anniversary 330I XLR Harbeth Super HL5 on Sound Anchor Quod ELS63 stands, Chord Odessey2 speaker cable. Grado SR60 headphones.