IHP
19-01-2013, 17:27
I've had this nearly a week now, my system now comprising this, the Series 7 Power Amp, Harbeth P3ESR speakers and a Quad CD-P2. My room is 12 x 12 feet.
In this system I've now had the 25, 25R and now the RS pre. All are stunning components, as we know prices doubling for each.
I've been listening for a week now, each evening and just now a couple of hours. Sometimes 'casual' at the side of the sofa (with a beer !) pretty much opposite one speaker with the other to my right; sometimes in the sweet spot doing everything proper justice.
First of all wherever I sit there is a noticeable improvement in detail, timbre, instrument separation, that sort of thing. Even in in the non ideal 'beer' position there's also a noticeable vividness in the manner the music presents itself into the room, really penetrating into. When looking at the little boxes that are the Harbs and hearing the music in the room these two things really don't square up at all in my head.
When doing everything justice I now completely understand the cliche that is holographic imaging, quite bewildering at first. Don't get me wrong the 25R was bloody good at this but yes, you can step into it (look, who said I was avoiding cliches here ? Want a proper review, buy a glossy mag ;-). The music is indeed all surrounding, seems to envelop. Throw on top of this the improvements mentioned above and we are well and truly heaven bound. Close your eyes and it's like disappearing.
My conclusion is very simple. All these pre-amps are stunning, the 25 is a marvel and each noticeably improves as you go there. As for cost, well yes, our old mate the law of diminishing returns comes into play and we're all big boys and seasoned audio nuts and know this.
Truth is I got really lucky with this buy. RRP, and I'm just trying to put things into context here, not being boastful at all, I have a system at around £6k. That's a heck of a lot of money for a stereo, it should sound good ! I've always bought used but it still represents a fair few quid. So is this extravagance (for that's what it is) worth it. 'Course it is, I'll have this stuff 'till I go to my grave and the pleasure it gives me, all of us, is immeasurable.
Anyway hope this doesn't sound like a Croft related sycophantic rant, but the 25RS, it's alright y'know !
In this system I've now had the 25, 25R and now the RS pre. All are stunning components, as we know prices doubling for each.
I've been listening for a week now, each evening and just now a couple of hours. Sometimes 'casual' at the side of the sofa (with a beer !) pretty much opposite one speaker with the other to my right; sometimes in the sweet spot doing everything proper justice.
First of all wherever I sit there is a noticeable improvement in detail, timbre, instrument separation, that sort of thing. Even in in the non ideal 'beer' position there's also a noticeable vividness in the manner the music presents itself into the room, really penetrating into. When looking at the little boxes that are the Harbs and hearing the music in the room these two things really don't square up at all in my head.
When doing everything justice I now completely understand the cliche that is holographic imaging, quite bewildering at first. Don't get me wrong the 25R was bloody good at this but yes, you can step into it (look, who said I was avoiding cliches here ? Want a proper review, buy a glossy mag ;-). The music is indeed all surrounding, seems to envelop. Throw on top of this the improvements mentioned above and we are well and truly heaven bound. Close your eyes and it's like disappearing.
My conclusion is very simple. All these pre-amps are stunning, the 25 is a marvel and each noticeably improves as you go there. As for cost, well yes, our old mate the law of diminishing returns comes into play and we're all big boys and seasoned audio nuts and know this.
Truth is I got really lucky with this buy. RRP, and I'm just trying to put things into context here, not being boastful at all, I have a system at around £6k. That's a heck of a lot of money for a stereo, it should sound good ! I've always bought used but it still represents a fair few quid. So is this extravagance (for that's what it is) worth it. 'Course it is, I'll have this stuff 'till I go to my grave and the pleasure it gives me, all of us, is immeasurable.
Anyway hope this doesn't sound like a Croft related sycophantic rant, but the 25RS, it's alright y'know !