Its a Mini adventure

[Bikerboy]

Paul, Once you have the something solid stands in place you will see just how good the Harbs are they just are just so right.

[Pac67]

They're nearly there now Doug. You tryin' to say that my £6.95 plastic elevators are no good? Should have the something solid stands in a week or two I hope (the guy who makes them does them in batches I understand). I guess that this will clean up the already very impressive imaging, but can't see how it can improve the bass for example. As mentioned though, the bass is low enough and has enough impact for 99% of all my listening, and definitely no need for a sub.

[Bikerboy]

Paul,

The wait will be worth it, it took 6 weeks for my stands to get here from the point of order, had my harbs proped up on books!!!!!! so I can't comment on you special GTI stands.

All I can say with some degree of certainty you will be delighted with the stands they are very well made and yes you will find a massive improvement with the bass but also getting them to the right hight just brings everything into focus.

What I have found is that I can throw a wide range of music at the Harbs and they never fail to impress, not with HiFi wiz bang but in musical expression they are outstanding.

Ian from this parish has used croft with his Harbs and has been over here with his amps to try them out with my Harbs and has never failed to be impressed in they way in which they express an emotional content to the music that gets the hair standing up on your arms.

[surayne]

Paul, that's a beautiful-looking system you have there, and I'm sure it sounds superb as well!

[Pac67]

Many thanks Surayne. It doesn't sound too shabby at all! I've just been fortunate enough to buy a collection of 90 classical LPs from a guy for about £50, each one looks pristine, so I have some new music to run everything in with Finishing the Garrard plinth today so will post photos of that (don't get the tonearm until next week). The system's almost there now...

[Howlindawg]

Bloody hell, I go away for a week and everyone gets new kit while I'm gone!

Congratulations Paul, that looks lovely.

I've heard the Croft amps in my own system and was mightily impressed with them.
They were a great match with the Veenas and I'd expect them to be just as excellent with the Harbeths.

Have you tried the Croft phonostage vs the EAR?
It really is very good with a decent SUT.

[Pac67]

Hi Martin

no I haven't as yet as I like the EAR but may try an external SUT as I understand that the 834 SUT can be bettered for not a lot of cash. The croft phonostage on it's own is a hidden gem and by all accounts is quite a giant killer stage, which seems typical of Glen's designs. He doesn't skimp on component quality either. Neil may be popping round next week for a listen, so no doubt you'll get his feedback

[Howlindawg]

The croft phonostage on it's own is a hidden gem and by all accounts is quite a giant killer stage, which seems typical of Glen's designs.

I'd have to agree.

A while back I got to try three different valve pres in my system back to back.
Croft 25, Audio Note M1 and my own Morgan Deva 500.
As line stages both the Croft and Morgan showed the AN a clean pair of heals (usual disclaimers re: my system, my ears yadda yadda yadda). I marginally preferred the Morgan (possibly because I was more familiar with it) but when the phono stage was added into the equation the Croft suddenly stood head an shoulders above the competition.

Beg, borrow or steal an SUT and I'd wager the EAR will be making an appearance in the classifieds some time soon.

[Pac67]

Don't have a phonostage built in to my Micro25 Martin otherwise I'd have had the EAR sold! May still be tempted to sell the ear and buy a stand alone Croft stage as it would enable a few pennies to be put aside for a good SUT. You're tempting me...

[Howlindawg]

Don't have a phonostage built in to my Micro25 Martin

Ahh, I didn't realise they were available without the phono.
Prehaps a retrofit would be possible?

Apologies for the temptation, I'll now.

[russ abbott - royds brother]

Your speaker stands scare me.

[Pac67]

Your speaker stands scare me.

Not as much as they scare me Stu!

Hopefully "proper" ones on the way soon...

[russ abbott - royds brother]

[Barney]

The library pics were of the Tiger Ebony finish I think. I would have had that finish but Harbeth informed me that their current crop of Tiger Ebony veneer was much darker than the library photos so you couldn't really make out the grain. That would have been too dark for the room so I asked them if they could pick out a nicely grained section of Eucalyptus veneer and they obligingly did so. They look very striking in the flesh, particularly in sunlight. Harbeth's customer service is excellent.

Colour and finish in anything is a personal thing, I saw Rocky's Eucalyptus HL5's at Scalford and thought they were the nicest speakers I have ever seen.

[Pac67]

Photo of the almost finished Garrard plinth which I've made in oak to go with the equipment cabinet:

[User211]

Heard Paul's system yesterday souding very pleasant indeed. Radically different to my own, but nonethless very enjoyable.

[Pac67]

Cheers Justin. I enjoyed the afternoon and am glad to learn that the panels made a positive contribution for your room . Hopefully they weren't too fly-splattered by the time they had an open top car ride back to your place!

[User211]

They work pretty much exactly as you heard them with your originals in place. Thanks for having me round and thanks to Kirsty & Ben for putting up with me!

The Harbeth's are very nicely made and I personally really like the Eucalyptus in the flesh.

With your panels in place, it is now possible to crank the volume up without the sensation that the room is being overdriven - or indeed that the speakers are too big for the room. The overall presentation is considerably cleaner than before and I have to admit I should have ignored the Apogee manual as in my case this is definately preferable to no treatment. The EAR infront of the A21 is proving an almost chronically intense experience - overbearing is not the word, really. Extreme speed, massive dynamics & resolution - jaw dropping stuff - but you have to be in the mood to handle it. Otherwise, back to the 211s for an easier, more musical & relaxed experience.

[griffo104]

Photo of the almost finished Garrard plinth which I've made in oak to go with the equipment cabinet:

that looks very nice

[Pac67]

Thanks Griffo...lots to do before finishing it though! Should be ready for final photos next week.