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May 3, 2023 - 2:16am

#1

Sabajw

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Joined: May 3 2023 - 2:09am

Advice needed for a new amp

Hello,

I have a pair of Harbeth HL Compact 7ES-3 speakers, a Bluesound Node and no amp. My budget for the amp is $1000.

I mostly listen to jazz quartets, classical chamber music, some Rock and Blues. My source is my computer FLAC music files and I have Roon and Tidal subscriptions. I listen to music at a low volume. and I sit about 3 meters from the speakers and the distance between speakers is 2 meters.

I almost purchased a 85wpc Yamaha A-S501 (recommended by some people from the Harbeth users forum) but yesterday I found a 1985 serviced 45wpc Naim Audio Nap 110 amp + NAC 42 preamp for the same price. I cannot audition the amp at my place with my speakers.

What would be the best choice: the vintage Nap 110+NAC 42 or a brand new Yamaha A-S501?

By the way, the Yamaha A-S501 is 85wpc but the A-S701 is 100wpc. Do you know if the main difference between them is 15w or also the sound quality?

Thank you very much

May 3, 2023 - 12:03pm

#2

hoytis

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Joined: May 19 2021 - 10:37am

Tough call. Yamaha is the

Tough call. Yamaha is the easier choice - it's new, lots of power and ohm loads for your 86dB/6ohm speakers, great build quality. Naim - excellent vintage brand in terms of quality, definitely cool factor, enough power for your purposes. Though I have read that some folks find that preamp a bit bright with digital sources and you wouldn't have tone controls to adjust. Plus you're dealing with a component that is almost 40 years old. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about vintage gear but be prepared to possibly hit a few bumps - regardless if it's been serviced or not.

I don't believe there is any difference between the Yamaha amps besides an extra 15W.

May 9, 2023 - 7:47pm

#3

Ariel Views

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Joined: Jun 6 2022 - 9:20am

Musical Fidelity's M3si

is I think 85 wpc and a good sounding nicely built no frills integrated amp going for around what you want to spend.