I've used Harbeth 40.1's with the following tube amps:
I recently sold my trusty 40.1's for the 40.2 Anni's and continue to use the Music Reference RM9 MK2 with RAM EL34 tubes... sounds really good!!! I have no intention of changing this amp... it's a classic and a great value on the used market when they come available.
I also owned a pair of SHL5's for a brief spell and powered them with the VAC 70/70 Sig (68wpc). Not surprisingly, the SHL5's just don't sound nearly as impressive as the 40.1's and 40.2 Anniversaries to my ears.
I've tried a few solid state amps with the 40.1's and was not as impressed with the sound quality as I've been with the tube amps mentioned above.
- McIntosh MC275 MKV - 75 WPC (good synergy)
- VAC Ren. 30/30 MK3 - 32 WPC (love this amp, but could have benefitted from more power)
- VAC Ren. 70/70 Sig - 68 WPC (great amp, great synergy)
- VAC PHI 200 (powerful bass, but lacks transparency and air)
- Music Reference RM9 MK2 - 125 WPC (great match and added flexibility to use variety of power tubes to tailor sound... I preferred KT88's with 40.1's)
I recently sold my trusty 40.1's for the 40.2 Anni's and continue to use the Music Reference RM9 MK2 with RAM EL34 tubes... sounds really good!!! I have no intention of changing this amp... it's a classic and a great value on the used market when they come available.
I also owned a pair of SHL5's for a brief spell and powered them with the VAC 70/70 Sig (68wpc). Not surprisingly, the SHL5's just don't sound nearly as impressive as the 40.1's and 40.2 Anniversaries to my ears.
I've tried a few solid state amps with the 40.1's and was not as impressed with the sound quality as I've been with the tube amps mentioned above.