1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 1271886391

Amplifier progression and change

I have Harbeth SHL-5s with vintage Accuphase P-300/C-200 amps. It's a nice combination, but I'm thinking of updating the amplifier with a smaller newer integrated, but is it that easy? My question is this: will new amps from companies such as Blue Circle, Plinius, Luxman, LFD, Accuphase, etc. clearly blow away 35 year old Accuphase separates? Have enough advances been made that a new $2000 - $4000 integrated can best an old amp that was built nearly with a cost-no-object standard? Whether solid state or tube, what would one have to spend to get an amp that is head and shoulders above the P-300/C-200? Thanks!
jtnicolosi
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
Chech out Rogue Audio Cronus integrated,that will get your foot in the door for under 2k,it is a 50 watt tube unit that will make your Harbeths sing.My friend has a 50 watt Rogue power amp driving Spendors and they sound great!
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
How much power is recommended for the Harbeth's
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I think you can get a heck of a good integrated for your price range, in the $3000 range, I think the Manley Stingray II is well worth looing into. They use EL84 tubes which I really like in one on my amps, and if the triode setting is enough power, all the better.
mmike84
309 posts
 
04-23-10: Pubul57

I think you can get a heck of a good integrated for your price range, in the $3000 range, I think the Manley Stingray II is well worth looing into. They use EL84 tubes which I really like in one on my amps, and if the triode setting is enough power, all the better.

Pubul57 (System | Threads | Answers)

The HL5 is 86 db at 6ohms. Not sure how uniform the impedance is. From the Manley website: "Following the mighty 6414 driver/phase splitter, the trusty EL84 output stage can be switched between either around 20 watts of TRIODE or 40 watts of Ultra Linear mode push-pull operation."

Depending on listening set up, room size, music type(s), and listening volumes I would have some reservations about this combination. I did have HL5's for a bit and I found 55-85 to be a good tube amp range.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I agree, I think you would need 60 - 80 watts to drive those speakers with some margin for different rooms and listening levels. Maybe something like the MAC 2275 or a used VAC Avatar with KT88s. Some say the Cayins are good, but I have not heard them but briefly at a show, but at least on the outside, they "look" very solid and well made.
More to discover