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Integrated amp recommendation around 3k (I need more power!)

Hi everyone,

Yep, another of those "which amp would you recommend" questions.  My system is settling in very nicely recently.  I've bounced around with speakers quite a bit, but I keep returning to little Harbeth P3esr.  They fit my room well and sound beautiful. However, they have a sensitivity of only 83db.  Right now, my system is comprised of the following:  VPI Traveler Turntable w/Clearaudio Maestro V2 cartridge, Croft RIAA phono stage, and the LFD LE V integrated.  As nice as the LFD is sonically, it just falls a bit short on power 65wpc into 8ohms) with the little Harbeths.

So, I'm looking to move to a more powerful integrated amp.  I'm certainly not a headbanger (or I'd have different speakers), but I would like to have ample headroom and current to maximize the P3s.  I'm looking at a budget of around $3k, used or new.  As I have an all analog 2-channel rig, I don't need a DAC, subwoofer outs, tone controls, balance, etc.  Heck, don't even care about a remote.  Just good, clean, dynamic power. 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Best, Scott
smrex13
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Nice! Scott
I am interested in the Wells Audio amp as well. Keep me posted during your initial break-in period.

What other gear, including cabling, is in your system?
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
I'll definitely update you all as I start to break it in.  My system consists of the following:

Components:
VPI Traveler Turntable w/Clearaudio Maestro V2 cartridge
Croft RIAA Phono Stage w/Tung Sol gold pin tubes
Harbeth P3esr speakers

Cabling, Power, Etc.:
Furutech AG-12 phono cable
Triode Wire Labs interconnect and power cables (10+ and 7+)
JW Audio speaker cables
SuperWiremold Deep-Cryo 9 outlet Power Strip
Maestro wall outlet
Rollerblock Jr. footers

Best, Scott

erndog's avatar
erndog
261 posts
 
Nice move Scott.  I've read some many positive reviews about their amps, particularly the Immoras.  I'd love to hear it after it breaks in.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Hi Scott,

Glad I was helpful on the load capacitance/phono cable issue.

Best of luck with the new amp. A question, though. I see that the Wells Audio Majestic has a specified gain of 30 db, which is on the low side for an integrated amp. A gain spec or measurement doesn’t seem to be available for your present LFD amp, but I would suspect that it is somewhat higher. Therefore you’ll probably find yourself setting the volume control on the new amp to a somewhat higher position than you have been using on the LFD.

If with the LFD amp you don’t find yourself using settings above say 2 o’clock or so when you are listening with your Croft phono stage I’d feel pretty certain that there won’t be a problem. (And there certainly won’t be a problem with digital sources). But if you’ve used settings at 3 o’clock or more I’d have some concern.

Best regards,
-- Al

smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
@erndog - definitely - will have you over for some listening once I get it all dialed in.

@almarg - hadn't even thought about the issue you raise.  I don't often see gain specs for an integrated amp, so it didn't cross my mind.  With the LFD I didn't listen above 12 o'clock, but that wasn't due to volume.  Rather, the sound started to deteriorate (clipping, I guess) beyond that.  However, 12:00 was a reasonable volume level, so I'm hoping that the Wells will not be a problem.  Fingers crossed...

Scott
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