Recommend an integrated amp for my Harbeth 40.1's


I'm considering simplifying my system (and banking some cash) by selling off my separates (Aesthetix Calypso pre & McIntosh MC 275 MK V) and replacing them with a solid state or hybrid integrated amp.

I don't want to spend over $2,500 and would love to find something for less if it performs well... maybe vintage? I want something that has a good support network in case I ever need repairs, so obscure/chinese brands are not being considered.

I hear good things about Luxman, Naim and Accuphase with Harbeth, but will need something with enough horsepower to control the Harbeth M-40.1's 12" woofer. Naim is intriguing, but I don't understand how it's connections work and I don't want to change my IC's and speaker cables.
128x128pdreher

Showing 4 responses by pdreher

I just sealed a deal for a Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3 integrated. Hoping there will be British synergy between the Harbeths and the Mus. Fidelity .
I've owned the Plinus 8200 MK II and thought it was a solid integrated, but a bit too warm and lacking transparency for the already warm Harbeths.

Any thoughts on the Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3? Seems to have plenty of power and has a decent following from what I can glean in the archives. My only concern would be customer service should I need it repaired as the units are around 10 years old.
Well, my experiment with trying to go back to a lower cost solid state set up has
been short lived.

I've realized that I won't be satisfied with anything but tubes, so I've sold the
Musical Fidelity and will be buying a McIntosh MA2275 tube integrated.

I'm optimistic that the MA2275 with an upgrade from the stock tubes will sound
similar to my previous set up of a McIntosh MC275 MK V & Aesthetix Calypso.
Well I'm on day two with my MA2275 that I bought from AudioClassics. I did
not waste any time with the new set of stock tubes that they included, and
instead, immediately installed a fresh quad of Gold Lion reissue KT88's and
NOS Telefunken smooth plates in the 12AT7 & 12AX7 slots (except for
Sovteks for the phono tubes as I don't have any vinyl).

Right out of the gate I was very impressed with the sound. The texture,
warmth and robust sound of tubes is back in my life and all is well in my
world again. I feel like I've finally learned my lesson and will never go back to
solid state again.

The MA2275 is absolutely stunning to look at. I was never a huge fan of the
Mac look until I actually owned them (previously had the MC275 MKV). The
build quality of the MA2275 is superb... robust and very easy on the eyes,
especially at night when the panel and big blue power meters are lit up. Just a
timeless classic piece of tube gear all wrapped into one beautiful sounding
integrated amp. I'm really floored by how happy I am with this gear! It has no
problem driving my Harbeth M-40.1's and they sound great together... from
Diana Krall's Live in Paris, to Duke Ellington's Four Symphonic Works, to Matt
Nathanson's Live at the Point, my system has never sounded so fine.

Also, I'd like to give a big plug to AudioClassics. Frank Gow patiently spent at
least an hour with me over the phone talking pros and cons of different Mac
integrateds. Even though it was used unit, the MA2275 showed up in like-
new condition and was packaged to survive a nuclear blast. They shipped it
the same day I ordered it and it showed up two days later. Can't say enough
about my experience with them. I had the opportunity to buy a newer unit
from an Audiogoner for $400 less than what I paid with AudioClassics, but
the seller was such an arrogant Jackwagon that I went with the higher priced,
but trustworthy seller (AudioClassics).