jrtrent, that's fascinating. I'm curious if Alan Shaw meant to say that there are no discernible differences in sound between expensive and inexpensive amplifiers and that inexpensive source components are fully adequate, for Harbeth speakers OR that those are his general beliefs regarding all sound/hifi. Any idea his intention?
That's an interesting distinction that I hadn't thought of before. I don't have any thoughts on the source component issue, but in the context of the Harbeth forum threads I've read, Shaw is trying to make the point that Harbeth speakers are easy to drive. In one from 2015, he wrote, "Our position that any competent amp will work just fine with Harbeth's, and that really is all readers need to know." Also, in comparing two amplifiers, he wrote:
"
two preconditions must absolutely be made:
1) Both amplifiers must be delivering exactly the same voltage, the same music loudness at the speakers. Determining that to the necessary accuracy mandates test equipment.
2)
Obviously, both amplifier must be working within their linear range. That means that the 'bigger' more powerful (therefor louder) amplifier must be turned down to be used in the same power range that is common to it and the lesser powered amplifier. Determining that to the necessary accuracy mandates test equipment."
http://www.harbeth.co.uk/usergroup/...last-words-on-audio-amplifiers-Jan-2015_/URL=
Thinking of speakers I've owned, the Linn Saras come to mind as being, unlike Harbeth, very difficult speakers to drive. Their impedance curve, if I recall correctly, drops down around 2 Ohms at places, and an amplifier not designed for use below 4 Ohms (as is the case with my current amplifier) could not be expected to drive them properly at any loudness setting. My current amplifier, for instance, is an Audio by Van Alstine Insight 240. This was purchased after consultation with Fran Van Alstine with the easy-to-drive Vandersteen 1C the intended speaker choice. I'm sure it would do great with Harbeths, but I doubt it would have done the Saras justice.