Description

Harbeth is my main but I often switch to Maggie when I miss real-life-like sound stage and air of Maggie for Symphony and Chorus.

I recently replaced Cary V12 with Aleph 0 mono blocks. V12 had sweet sweet midrange but Aleph sounds also very musical with much kicks. Aleph mono blocks drive both speakers beautifully.

I am working on improving Phono sounds. I will probably add some isolation system (Ginko Cloud 10?) sometime soon.

I have not been upgrading digital gears for years as my serious listening has been all Vinyl.

Happy Listening!!

Latest changes:

Added Music Reference RM200

Added Ayre DAC QB9 running with jRiver.

jRiver looks and runs beautiful with Dell SX2210T touch screen monitor.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Harbeth Compact 7es3
    One of newer Harbeth. I think this is one of the best value speakers out there.
    • Cary Audio Design SLP-05
    I love it!
    • Pass Labs Aleph O Mono Block
    Nelson Pass's first amp under Pass Lab label. Mono block - 75W each
    • VPI Industries VPI Scout Master
    Scout Master with SDS + Peripheral Ring
    • VPI Industries JMW-9 Signature
    Comes with Nordost wiring
    • Dynavector Karat 17D3
    Low output (0.3mv) cartridge
    • Sutherland PH.D - Phono Pre
    You need 16 'D' batteries. No power cord needed.
    • Sony SCD-XA5400ES
    New flag ship from Sony. Best value. Class A+.
    • Magnepan MG-1.6qr
    Maggie! Maggie! Bravo! Works really beautiful with Aleph 0.
    • Cardas Golden Reference
    0.5m Tonearm - Phone Pre
    • Nordost Red Dawn
    0.5m CD Player - Pre Amp
    • Nordost Red Dawn
    1m Phone Pre - Pre Amp
    • Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II
    1m Pre Amp - Power Amp
    • Audioquest Mont Blanc
    6' Used for Harbeth
    • Kimber 8TC
    8' Used for Maggie
    • Skylan Speaker Stands For Harbeth Compact 7es3
    Custom design for Harbeth. Very recommended stands for any Harbeth speakers.
    • VPI Industries SDS Synchronous Drive System
    Great upgrade for my ScoutMaster
    • Gingko Cloud 10 for VPI ScoutMaster
    My Scoutmaster works like suspension table with this Could 10.
    • IsoClean IsoClean Fuse for SLP-05
    Can you believe that this Fuse is directional?
    • Revelation Audio Lab umbilical power cable for SLP-05
    It works. Even more clarity and bass to my SLP-05.
    • Music Reference RM-200
    Mk-II
    • Ayre QB-9
    USB DAC - Amazing

Comments 21

Sweet System... looks like it would be a true joy to listen too. Nice having a change of pace it speakers. The spice of sound.

glenfihi

Owner
Dpgdave,
I am using 1T dell zino with dell touchscreen monitor. PC is sitting next to my sysyem. I cannot hear the noise from my listening position at all. I use long vga cable so that I can have touchscreen monitor right next to my listening chair. i am very happy my dell combo.

bhchung

Great thanks, I'll see if I can get a hold of a Mont Blanc set to try out.
Sounds like you're up and running with a server + Jriver and liking it. I had a computer in my listening room and found it too noisy. Where do you have your screen set up in your room and have you had any noise problems?

dpgdave

Owner
Hi Dpgdave,
Sorry but I cannot really comment on the sound of 8TC/7es3. All my serious listening was done with Mont Blanc and Cardas Neutral speaker cables. Mont Blanc was more open and airy compared to the cardas...

bhchung

Hello, great looking setup, must sound great-really something to aspire to...
Have you tried the 8TC with the Harbeths?
I replaced a set of speakers with Harbeth and kept using the 8TC I had on the previous set. I think it sounds very good running off a restored scott tube amp, but I'm curious of your thoughts on the Mont Blanc/7es3 combo and whether you've tried the 8TC on the 7es3. What are your thoughts on that combination?
Thanks in advance,

dpgdave

Hi
Have you listened to Harbeth SHL5 and M40.1 ? I think your room is big enough for them.If you have,please describe the difference of each model.

papak9401

Owner
Arjen, Thanks for the tip. Could you describe how XLO cable improved the Harbeth sound?

bhchung

Hi,
I do have also harbeth M40.
The problem is your cable.

Try XLO limited.You will hear the difference.
I mean all the cables with XLO limited.

arjen111

Owner
Bluejazz,
It's VTI BL series. Google it. There are many on-line seller.

bhchung

Can you tell me what kind of audio rack is?
And Where I can buy them?
From Toronto,Canada

Thanks in advance.

bluejazz

Well done!!!

Nice to see great monitors and components in the virtual systems list.

lapierre

Owner
System edited: Sold used Esoteric DV-50 and bought a new Sony and Ginko Cloud 10 with the money. And, I do not miss Esoteric.

bhchung

Owner
Dave, That is a very hard question and my answer would be very subjective one. My pick would be Harbeth. (Did I surprise you?) I will not try to describe what aspect of this model is better than the other. I spent many many days listening these speakers more than 3~4 hours straight. Harbeth definitely gave me more magic and drama. Such a natural color and tone of sound that Harbeth makes for each different instrument makes my listening experience more fun and addictive. Maggie is a great speaker and I love its WALL-size sound stage. But, for me, Harbeth is the one.

bhchung

What would be your choice if you could only have one pair of speakers, either the Harbeth or Maggie? Please tell us why! Thanks

Dave

boycephoto

Owner
System edited: Changed Camelot Lancelot phono-pre to Sutherland PhD. Added Gingko Cloud 10 for turntable isolation

bhchung

Owner
Thanks Chazzbo for review on my system. : )
I am impressed that a lot of things you mentioned describe what I actually went through.

Camelot is a great phono-pre for its price ($500 used) and works fine with 17D3 since it allows you to tune the gain by changing resistors in the circuit.
I didn't have chance to hear 324 or PS GCPH, but recently replaced the Camelot with Sutherland PhD after audition EAR 834 and other Sutherland products.
PhD definitely brought clarity, bass and dynamics to my system compare to Camelot (but, funny enough, it didn't work with Avantgarde, too bright I felt). PhD also offers different gain modes.

I also ended up getting Gingko Cloud and very happy with it. It works like suspension table for my scoutmaster.

bhchung

Having had the Mini feet and the Cloud 11 on my Scout, I'd have to say I would just invest in the Cloud. The vibration control on the Cloud is amazing. I don't usually notice all the tweeks, but the Cloud was amazing.

jeff1225

Bravo!Not only are the components highly reviewed but they are perennial models that have lasted because they work.Plus for those of us who live in "real world: finances it's a system that shows balance and value for the dollar.Interesting that you changed from Cary to Aleph but we all know good good tube versus SS has it's pluses and minuses yet with the Cary tube pre the euphonics and warmth are there with more solid bass.I have a friend with a Cary SLi80 and your 17D3 cart (he likes it but thinks the cantilever is delicate and wishes he had a bit more than .23Mv) hooked to his VPI 19 and the thing I wonder is if the Camelot isn't the element that would give you more for buck than any upgrade in this well balanced system.

My buddy deals with low output since he has PS GCPH which in addition to knob settings for gain it has master volume/gain but if it's not an issue it's not an issue.I have two pre's one Krell hooked up to KRC2 pre but will probably sell that.Then I have a Kora tube Pre that has fantastic MM/MC but it's non adjustable.GCPH is cool since it allows adjustments of gain and load,phase,mono etc.Yet I am not sure it can touch other phono's for a bit more (Whest,EAR 834) or a Jolida for half it's price.Might try a modded one from Cullen.What I'd like is sound quality of EAR 324 but at price of GCPH!!!Think that 324 would sound awesome with your amp and pre.Anyway great system.Might check with Mike or Harry at VPI and see if Cloud is worth it or just go for HRX Mini Feet which Harry designed with Vihn VU of Gingko and uses same ball.Am surprised those speakers cut in room that size(Friend has 3.6's).I have a love hate thing with Maggie just like Quad,ML,Apogee's so understand the two speakers both of which are great final transducers to a sensible yet really nice rig.
Cheers
Chazz

chazzbo

Owner
Room size is 25'x20'

bhchung

I know what you mean about the real life feel of the maggies, I am very happy with mine and have not found a speaker that comes close.

jimbojrjb

Beautiful system, how big is your room?

vikkysingh

Showing all 21 posts