Cadillac Kid
Addicted Member
That is what I was thinking. Go for it JVF!
Leben. Thinking something drastic here.
- Thread starter JohnVF
- Start date
That is what I was thinking. Go for it JVF!
I didn't consider Naim until last week, when I heard Naim separates with Harbeth. But I don't really care for the Naim look, and my separates already sound really good. I didn't like the last SuperNait that I heard a while back, but the separates were something else on the Harbeths. Great for somebody, but not really what I'm looking for. I think if you saw the place it was going, the Leben would make more sense. This apartment looks like a time capsule from 1965.
Well...theres a Fisher x202b, SA-300b, 400c, ARC sp-3a1, Dynaco MKIIIs, Dynaco ST-70, Eico 2036 and a little Knight unit here. So its too late to stop me from jumping into tube gear. And those knobs look nothing like those on a Lafayette amp. But thanks for looking out for me
I'm thinking that if I can raise at least 1/2 the price through selling stuff (hopefully more, without selling the Levinson), I might. Depends on a lot of things, but that's the biggest. It won't be soon. But if I do it, it'll be this winter.
Forgot to add...I'm keeping the Quads. I'll never find another pair of ESL-63 PROs in this condition. They're not nearly as tough to drive as I had thought but they sing on the Levinson, which is why i want to keep it.They don't need that amp...but they like it. Its a surprising match, but they're a somewhat unique version of the Quad that can safely handle an amp like that. And if they say 'no', its an amp that can take their clamping down on it. I rarely use the Gradient woofers, though. It's a cool system when it's running, though.
Cadillac Kid
Addicted Member
I think recent AK member Skylab has a Leben 300 as well as vintage Fisher tube gear. Maybe he will chime in. He has some good posts over at HeadFi.
Didn't you get Harbeth SHL-5s recently? Or am I imagining that? What are you running them with, if you don't mind me asking?
Cadillac Kid
Addicted Member
I am using a McIntosh MC2102 to drive the lovely SHL-5s. My preamp is a McIntosh C220 with 1950s long plate Mullards.
Nice gear. I believe that is the combination that I auditioned my Quads on, which was my "oh, that's what I want" moment in recent Hi Fi history. Beautiful stuff but it wouldn't solve my space issues. I really love how it sounds, though. Thanks for the reply. I hope you're enjoying the SHL-5s...I saw a pair last week, they were bigger than I thought they'd be. I didn't get to hear them, though. I've only heard the Monitor 30s, Compact 7es3s, and P3esr.
I haven't been out there in a long time. I have plans for a visit soon...I'll check it out. This is making me think that the beautiful look of the Leben is affecting my judgment. The JAF...John Acceptance Factor...is rearing its head. The apartment looks nicer than when you picked up the ARs, and the '60s theme has only gotten farther along. I could just buy a nice Pilot amplifier if only looks mattered though....those are pretty.
I heard some of the Leben gear at Whetstone, mentioned earlier, here in Austin. It was fantastic.
Wasn't Leben founded by Hyodo San, who used to design for Luxman? No wonder you're drawn to it.
I didn't know that about Hyodo San. But its certainly not a negative point..
Maybe I need to take another trip to Austin (I would if work wasn't so crazy).
sebrof
Super Member
I didn't know that about Hyodo San. But its certainly not a negative point..
If you're gonna come to Austin do it this weekend when the big record convention is in town
If you're gonna come to Austin do it this weekend when the big record convention is in town
But then I'd have even less money to spend on the amplifier!
I'm looking at my ARC Sp-3a1 and Fisher SA-300b, which have been pulling closet duty for 2 years and I'm imagining targets on them...
Cadillac Kid
Addicted Member
They are pure joy. Incredible speakers.
I have a couple of questions..PM on the way. I'm worried about power requirements on my Harbeths with the CS-300, but like the sound of nearly every EL-84 based amp I've heard (including my Orange guitar amp....).
That's good to hear. Between my Quads and Harbeths I never even think of speakers anymore. That's what I want to say about amps now.
Problem solved:
C220 + MC2102 = +/- MA2275
I've heard one, and been highly impressed. I'd try one of these before heading down the more exotic road. You can probably get a dealer to lend you one, if there's a good dealer in your area. If you have trouble, PM Ron-C.
Love the look of the Lebens, and the fact that they make an EL84 amp doesn't hurt, either...
I'll be watching this with interest.
I wonder if the EL-84 amp will push my Harbeths well? That's a big question. Stereophile just reviewed that amp, which worries me in that it might increase demand and they're limited in number. I wanted it first! Well, I wanted the CS-600 first...still do.
If you're watching you might get bored...this is going to take awhile if I go this route. But I'm seriously considering it. My closets are packed with gear, I don't have the space to be a collector on the level that I've somehow become. I think I could start a museum here, and I just want to listen to music
