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Thoughts about Jadis and Harbeth

I recently acquired some beautiful Harbeth Compact 7 through a good dealer. Currently I am using a Pioneer AVR, VSX-53 as my amp and using Nvidia Shield to play Tidal etc. While it sounds pretty good, obviously I can get way better. 

My dealer like Jadis and I heard them briefly and they do sound great paired with the Harbeth. It has been suggested I go with a jadis orchestra reference. Anyone have experiences with it and thoughts about the match up. I listen to everything really, and my budget at least where I'd like to keep it is 4k.

That doesn't leave a lot of room as I need to update my source. I have no problem paying that for that amp as it is very high quality. I also considered the Rouge II/III as an option as well. I also considered Luxman and a few integrated class d options. Like the NAD m10 as it basically checks off mostly everything for me, and is way cheaper then the less powerful Naim Unity line. If you cant tell I like the display options of these two devices, NAD seems like it would be a good option and use pre outs to Jadis. The only problem it has no HT bypass and that a bit annoying, as I'd like to continue to use AVR for tv. Not sure if using the preout would allow the sub to still work. 

Sorry for the long read, just looking for a little help to get me pointed in the right direction. I wouldn't say im new to the hobby, but in a good place to start buying better equipment and moving away from the HT mode I've been in for years. 
128x128vatoman
vatoman's avatar
vatoman OP
3 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses, they are very helpful. Perhaps its a good idea to begin with something else. I like the idea of tube amps and being able to tube roll, the Jadis doesn't really afford me that option easily. This is about learning and the experiences of finding out the best for me. Starting with the Jadis seems like a static approach. 

Perhaps having both and switching back and forth sounds kinda fun to me. I still welcome your thoughts and ideas. This has been very insightful so thank you for that.  
audiothesis
168 posts
 
vato, if you are hellbent on tubes with the Harbeth, you should consider the MastersounD BoX.  It does a great job even with the harder-to-drive SHL5+ and even though it is Single Ended Pentode, it is 35 watts and has incredible punch and drive to the music.

I am a Harbeth dealer and also the MastersounD distributor.  I used to keep another tube brand in my portfolio but when MastersounD released the BoX, it completely trounced those push-pull designs in every aspect. 
vatoman's avatar
vatoman OP
3 posts
 
Interesting I saw a review of this on youtube a few weeks back. I'm not exactly bent on Tubes, they have a certain appeal to me. I'm nostalgic perhaps, and like things that glow lol. I would say they have a spacious sound that drew me in. I also like the SS and I'm best acquainted with that type of setup.

So many decisions to make, at least its fun..
ryder
1,682 posts
 
Generally, the Harbeth will sound more open and illuminating with certain tube amps. I have only listened to the Leben CS300 driving some Harbeth. In comparison most solid-state amps sound slightly darker/warmer.

However, if you listen to rock at moderate to high levels a solid state amp would be more suitable in my view. The bass slam and dynamics of the Harbeth are usually better if you feed the speakers with more current or power, and it is usually from solid-state designs.
kyomi_audio's avatar
kyomi_audio
63 posts
 
I am the dealer who sold the speakers and recommended Jadis. I have a rhetorical question: (doesn’t apply to daveyf since he has an extensive experience with Jadis. Neither does it apply to dealers since they have vested interest to trash it and promote their product). 

Here is the question: how many of you heard Jadis with  Harbeth?

It’s funny because when vatoman was buying the speakers, he heard them with i50 and absolutely loved it. That’s what sold the speakers in the  first place. 


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