Amplifier advice for new Harbeth Compact 7s

[audio39]

Croft is better than Luxman, but not dressed as well. In the UK, we call it "all fur coat and no knickers..."

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While I've heard good things about Croft, I have never heard anything like this??

To each their own I suppose, although I think it would be important to have heard the gear in question before making such a bold statement.

In any case, I'm aware of many folks who are running Harbeth speakers with Luxman amplification and believe it to be the best match.

Good luck with your search JJack.

[DSJR]

Then you need to stop listening with your eyes and listen with your ears and heart It's already been done and the expensive blingy modern Luxman came a very poor second I recall, although it was the integrated model I recall... In terms of physical "feel" there'll be absolutely no contest, as the far eastern product will easily beat the little UK contender and in straight forward measurements too I suspect.

You have what seems to be an expensive system, so a mere £1500 on a couple of plain UK hand made amps with glowing things within and little else isn't going to float ones boat the same. However, an overweight and over-complex amp is what killed the Japanese top end onslaught over in these parts first time round..

Just my current views, and I'm known to be a bit mad even in my saner moments, but maybe US region things like the Bottlehead stuff, if it's as giant killing as I suspect it may be, may show you where I'm coming from, even if there may not be enough power for the M40's, which have a fair old crossover to row along within them

[JJack]

????????????????????

While I've heard good things about Croft, I have never heard anything like this??

To each their own I suppose, although I think it would be important to have heard the gear in question before making such a bold statement.

In any case, I'm aware of many folks who are running Harbeth speakers with Luxman amplification and believe it to be the best match.

Good luck with your search JJack.

Hmmmmmm, I'm listening to a Luxman 505u as I type these words, switching back and forth between that and a Naim Supernait.

Two very different sounds, but I think I could live with either of them for a long time. Frank Sinatra is currently leading the way with the Naim, but then I recall the Bach cello suites on the Luxman... it's good to have these kinds of "problems."

Also spent some quality time with a Luxman 550ax today.

As well as $30,000 worth of MBL driving Harbeth 40s. (Edit: I see you have the M40s - lucky man!)

Alas, the LFD was out on loan so I didn't get to hear that.

It's going to be a fun week demo-ing these two.

More to follow.

[JJack]

Then you need to stop listening with your eyes and listen with your ears and heart It's already been done and the expensive blingy modern Luxman came a very poor second I recall, although it was the integrated model I recall... In terms of physical "feel" there'll be absolutely no contest, as the far eastern product will easily beat the little UK contender and in straight forward measurements too I suspect.

You have what seems to be an expensive system, so a mere £1500 on a couple of plain UK hand made amps with glowing things within and little else isn't going to float ones boat the same. However, an overweight and over-complex amp is what killed the Japanese top end onslaught over in these parts first time round..

Just my current views, and I'm known to be a bit mad even in my saner moments, but maybe US region things like the Bottlehead stuff, if it's as giant killing as I suspect it may be, may show you where I'm coming from, even if there may not be enough power for the M40's, which have a fair old crossover to row along within them

I can't find a Croft to demo, but the Luxmans have something going on.

I would call the Luxman more of a throwback than "modern"; it's got a balance control, mono switch, old-fashioned power meters, headphone jack, etc. It's pretty much a circa 1970 receiver, with modern innards.

I'd have to say that I'd be pretty excited to hear anything that would be clearly better.

Also, the 1500 GBP amps cost $95 more than the Luxman on this side of the pond. (e.g., the Naim Supernait is the equivalent of 3300 GBP here, and the XS is 1800 GBP)

[DSJR]

The Supernait is a throwback too, but I continue to maintain that a simple circuit, with the minimum of components (one valve taking the place of many transistors) can pay dividends to the sonics - and Glenn can do this using NO boutique bits at all...

The likes of Luxman and Accuphase do look the biz though and the fit, feel and finish of the casework is beyond excellent. Been there, done that back in the 70's though, and it's hairshirt for me these days

[Elephantears]

JJack its very hard to read your budget, since prices are so different either side of the Atlantic. Since you've mentioned Supernait it seems higher than before. Does that mean a Perraux 150i is feasible? Since you can't demo Croft or Sonneteer, that would be my pick, although I've never heard a Luxman.

[Tarzan]

What about the Croft Syntra that is for sale on this very forum? Would be a great match l reckon.

[JJack]

JJack its very hard to read your budget, since prices are so different either side of the Atlantic. Since you've mentioned Supernait it seems higher than before. Does that mean a Perraux 150i is feasible? Since you can't demo Croft or Sonneteer, that would be my pick, although I've never heard a Luxman.

My budget is the same, but I found a demo Supernait that wouldn't cost much more than an XS.

But I'd be willing to stretch my budget a little if I found something extraordinary.

[JJack]

The Supernait is a throwback too, but I continue to maintain that a simple circuit, with the minimum of components (one valve taking the place of many transistors) can pay dividends to the sonics - and Glenn can do this using NO boutique bits at all...

The likes of Luxman and Accuphase do look the biz though and the fit, feel and finish of the casework is beyond excellent. Been there, done that back in the 70's though, and it's hairshirt for me these days

Are you thinking of an all-valve integrated, or a hybrid?

I just left the all-valve world (Cary) so I wouldn't go all-valve. I'm done with replacing power tubes every time the seasons change. Tube preamp sections (I still own a Conrad Johnson tube preamp) are okay because they're less fussy.

Is there a hybrid that you're thinking of?

[DSJR]

What about the Croft Syntra that is for sale on this very forum? Would be a great match l reckon.

One would think so