Have you found your final system?

[Zemlya]

Yes. Vintage Quad and Harbeth.

[Infobert]

Currently:
M40.1 Rosewood
Magnum Dynalabs MD307
Sugden Masterclass CD

Very happy....

[Sebastien]

...I recently bought an SME Model 10 turntable and am waiting for an SME V tonearm to be built for me at SME's factory in Steyning, East Sussex. As for a cartridge, well in keeping with the theme maybe I should go for an EMT cart? To start with I'll probably get something more affordable, before taking the plunge with a luxury MC...

Hi Greg,

I also consider to buy a SME 10 in the next year and I'd like to get specific feed-back from you to know about the synergy between SME and Harbeth. SME users often describe the product to be analytical and others say that they are natural. Confusing... So, I'd like to have your opinion on this one.

Plus, have you consider SME's 20/3?

Sébastien

[Sebastien]

...Manley Mahi Mahi...

A friend of mine just bought a pair of Manley Snapper. Even if I have this company in strong respect, the Snapper dissapointed me a bit. I found that they sound way to "big" in his sound system. He has a pair of Verity Audio Rienzi. For example, the double-bass on a jazz recording sound way more bigger than what it is in real.

Anyway, I'm curious to know how's the Mahi's sounding with your Harbeth. Some observations are welcomed.

Sébastien

[coredump]

Final Destination in Hifi.. stop fooling yourself..

[Gan CK]

Hi Sebastien,

The double bass sounds way too big not becos of the amps but largely becos of the Rienzis. I have heard a couple of Manley amps & even a monoblock with the old Harbeth HL-5 & even tried the Stingray with my SHL-5 in a home trial. No they don't have bloated bass at all. So far most of the Verity spks (except for the Tamino) i heard have exaggerated bass, esp when the bass woofer is facing backwards.

[GregD]

Hi Greg,

I also consider to buy a SME 10 in the next year and I'd like to get specific feed-back from you to know about the synergy between SME and Harbeth. SME users often describe the product to be analytical and others say that they are natural. Confusing... So, I'd like to have your opinion on this one.

Plus, have you consider SME's 20/3?

Sébastien

I will be going down to my dealer to pick-up the new SME V arm later this week and to buy a Benz Micro MC cartridge too. I'll let you know my impressions on the overall sound a few days after everything's settled-in. I'll be using my Nagra PLP phono-stage/preamp and Nagra VPA valve monoblocks with my Harbeth P3ESR speakers.

I can't forsee any synergy issues with SME/Harbeth myself. Both aim for natural, accurate reproduction with no fluff added. I think the cartridge would make more difference actually. Add in the Nagra pre/power and my whole system is really geared towards what I would call 'invitingly natural sound'.

I had a chance to get an SME 30/2a at an excellent price a few months ago, but I decided that the Model 10 is all I really need. The 20/3 is certainly a great turntable though...

Like Harbeth, the SME turntables could easily outlive their owners!

[P.C.]

SME, Nagra and Harbeth. Wonderful combination in so many ways!

[Sebastien]

Hi Sebastien,

The double bass sounds way too big not becos of the amps but largely becos of the Rienzis. I have heard a couple of Manley amps & even a monoblock with the old Harbeth HL-5 & even tried the Stingray with my SHL-5 in a home trial. No they don't have bloated bass at all. So far most of the Verity spks (except for the Tamino) i heard have exaggerated bass, esp when the bass woofer is facing backwards.

Well, I'm glad to hear that because I was a little aware of the sound from the Manley but. like I understand, we are much talking of the sound from the Rienzi. Thanks for your feed-back.

What about the Stingray with SHL5?

Sébastien

[Double D]

Final sound .. .I doubt it.. final sound for now.. very close !!
Harbeth M30's on Skylan stands (latest versions)
Blue Circle BC303-DWBB-KQ-LOC true balanced statement pre-amp.. Gilberts work of art
Blue Circle BC 206-NST solid state power amp, it started life as a stock 206, but was recently reworked by removing the tube input stage, and replacing with Gilberts latest thinking on a pre-driver stage..
Marantz SA-11S2 SACD/CD player.. perhaps not the last word in slam and dynamics, but always a joy to listen to.
Magnum Dynalab MD-102"T" FM tuner.. lovely..
All strapped together with Transparent Ultra MM balanced interconnects and speaker cables. Sorry Alan.. listening to this stuff will rot yer brain.. it just makes music.
A custom Blue Circle phono stage is in the works, to merge my secondary phono rig into the main system. It's time to do some consolidation.

[Gan CK]

Well, I'm glad to hear that because I was a little aware of the sound from the Manley but. like I understand, we are much talking of the sound from the Rienzi. Thanks for your feed-back.

What about the Stingray with SHL5?

Sébastien

Well, the Stingray didn't do it for me at all. Don't know if the set i took home wasn't properly calibrated or what but i found the Stingray that i tried to have a very tipped up midrange which made the sound shouty & uncomfortable. Much like as though if an amp has bass, mid & treble controls & the mid was turned up to the max. The bass was very tight & snappy but rather lean. I find my current LFD LE III to be quite a fair bit better than the Stingray. Much better balanced & with the feeling that everything just sounds 'right'. YMMV though.

[Sebastien]

Well, the Stingray didn't do it for me at all. Don't know if the set i took home wasn't properly calibrated or what but i found the Stingray that i tried to have a very tipped up midrange which made the sound shouty & uncomfortable. Much like as though if an amp has bass, mid & treble controls & the mid was turned up to the max. The bass was very tight & snappy but rather lean. I find my current LFD LE III to be quite a fair bit better than the Stingray. Much better balanced & with the feeling that everything just sounds 'right'. YMMV though.

Hi Gan CK,

Thanks for your feed-back.

On my side, maybe one day I'll ask my friend who lives at 1 km from my house to bring his Snappers and give it a try with my SHL5.

Sébastien

[Gan CK]

Hi Gan CK,

Thanks for your feed-back.

On my side, maybe one day I'll ask my friend who lives at 1 km from my house to bring his Snappers and give it a try with my SHL5.

Sébastien

Hi Sebastien,

That's a good idea. Do let us know the outcome after the home trial. Thks.

[nong-dan]

I'am happy with my currentlysystem:

SHL5 ( Dream for 40.1 )
Wadia 381
Krell Evolution 402 Power amplifier
Aesthetic calypso Pre (tube)

Happy listening all time!
Regards,

[ANADA]

I have been using Harbeth for the last 10 years
I started with a second hand SHL-5 and then moved to M40
Later when my finances went better i took a brand new M40.1
and at the end a beautiful P3ESR

My best sound is my final one
Sugden Masterclass SPA4 & LA4
Nottingham Analoque Space 294 & Benz S Class
Nakamichi Dragon
Vintage Luxman WZ-30 (Check this out on the internet...)
Aqvox Phono amplifier 2ci MKii in balanced mode

[davidlovel]

Very unlikely I'll want to change this SHL5 system:

PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport
Bel Canto DAC3 (upgraded to 3.5 level) with virtual battery supply
Krell S-275

BUT I will add an input device (bridge) for a remote streaming system when there is one on the market that supports high-resolution music and is simple, reliable and cost-effective.

[broadsword]

The audiophile will never stop tinkering, the music lover might.