Revisiting the (original) P3

[BAS-H]

Does your pre- have a phono stage, smctigue?

[paolo]

Hi smctigue. Sounds like the signals from the CD into the line level input are fine but problem is with phono. Does the pre-amp have an onboard phonostage or are you using a standalone? If you have a phonostage, does it have variable gain and load to enable you to match it to your MC cartridge?

Paul from London, UK

[smctigue]

Yes, I have an Audio Research SP-10, has about 72db's of gain but I suspect may not have enough oomph for my .25 mV cartridge.

[JamesBrown]

Hi, 1st time post.

I to own a pair of mk1 P3. And use them at the mo with a marantz pm7200 amp (switched to class A 25watt/8ohm)
Bi wired as I am missing a couple brass links (just using 79strand cable from maplin)
And source are Sony scd xb780qs player for discs and a Sony Walkman X1000 for mp3/AAC files

I used to use various Kevlar coned Sony speakers (al5mk2, k10ed, b2ed, x70ed)
But these p3's really do sing. Dispite being twenty or so years old.

I now am going to save up for a radial pair now for sure. And prob keep the p3's as rear speakers.

[DSRANCE]

Just because the original P3 design is twenty years old (or more?), doesn't mean to say the ESR model totally outclasses it. The P3 ESR definitely builds on the original model design, as the original so easily does on the LS3/5A, but rather than do a straight-forward replacement (that's what the M20 is for I believe?), the ESR takes the small passively driven monitor concept several stages forward, especially in power handling, bass performance where that little cone is worked extremely hard and further develops the excellent driver-blending that characterises all Harbeths to my ears. Lovely

[Miles MG]

I have just acquired a pair of HL-P3s, in addition to my pair of HL Monitors. Having owned various pairs of LS3/5as over the years, I now understand the Harbeth philosophy. They make the music come to life. Martyn Miles