E-470

[shl5+fan]

How I wish I can demo both models.

[Anatta]

Have you demoed anything else before deciding for Accuphase?

[shl5+fan]

No I havent since my dealer doesnt carry both brands. I have to bring the Harbeths HL5 plus to demo for the e-600 but its useless since he only have one to demo nothing to compare. I just solely rely on the input/ recommendations I get from you guys. I was also thinking going separates but that will happen in a year. Within a week I need to decide because it takes a month to order the Accuphase. For now Im braking in the Harbeth with an old NAD C350 integrated. These are my options but I do not know if these are the right thing to do, Please feel free to share your thoughts on these;

1. Buy a E-470 then after a year I will get a DG-58
2. Buy a E-600 and a DAC40 then after a year use the E-600 as a pre amp and buy a70
3. Buy a C-2120 and a A-36 then after a year add another A-36 or buy a DG-58
depends how the A-36 and C-2120 combo works.
4. Buy a C-2420 and use the NAD C350 as a amp then after a year I will buy a A-70.
5 Buy a A-70 and use the NAD C350 as a pre amp the after a year I will buy the C-
2420.

Thanks

[TommyC]

Option 3 is not that different from option 2. You will want to upgrade both the pre and power after another year.

I will do either option 4 or 5. This way, you don't take any hit from selling / trading in the previous models.

[shl5+fan]

Tommy this is what my dealer recommended to me option 4 or 5. I am sorry Ivan to deviate from the original topic. Now I wonder if its a good idea to go with the C-2120 with DAC40 instead of the C-2420 alone.

[nvp]

SHL5+fan, IMO it is best to go for the E-470 integrated. First, Harbeths speakers pair very well with Accuphase electronics. Second, the E-470 will give you the best bang for the buck as it has more than enough power and sound-wise is on par with E-600 and/or A-36 & C-2120 combo. (Third, if Ivan finds the E-4xx integrated from Accuphase to be powerful and refined enough for the TAD CR-1 speakers, then those integrated should be good enough also for the Harbeths speakers.)

Regarding the A-70 power amp, I would not pair it with small Harbeths speakers as their limitations in terms of bass and dynamics will not allow you to fully appreciate a power amp like A-70. I would also not use the A-70 with an E-600 as a pre-amp. This in my opinion is a double waste as both the A-70 and the E-600 will not be used to their maximum capacity.

Regarding the DG-58 unit, it is best to try it in your system before buying it. Because your speakers are not large and thus have limited bass output, the improvements brought by the DG-58 may not be that significant.

Finally, I would not pair Accuphase and NAD. In fact, I find the recommendation of your dealer (i.e. options 4 and 5) ridiculous. I have nothing against the NAD, but instead of enjoying the music made by your new Accuphase unit, you will be biting your nails thinking at the weakest link in your chains and at the next upgrade. That never made anyone happy.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by nvp

SHL5+fan, IMO it is best to go for the E-470 integrated. First, Harbeths speakers pair very well with Accuphase electronics. Second, the E-470 will give you the best bang for the buck as it has more than enough power and sound-wise is on par with E-600 and/or A-36 & C-2120 combo. (Third, if Ivan finds the E-4xx integrated from Accuphase to be powerful and refined enough for the TAD CR-1 speakers, then those integrated should be good enough also for the Harbeths speakers.)

Regarding the A-70 power amp, I would not pair it with small Harbeths speakers as their limitations in terms of bass and dynamics will not allow you to fully appreciate a power amp like A-70. I would also not use the A-70 with an E-600 as a pre-amp. This in my opinion is a double waste as both the A-70 and the E-600 will not be used to their maximum capacity.

Regarding the DG-58 unit, it is best to try it in your system before buying it. Because your speakers are not large and thus have limited bass output, the improvements brought by the DG-58 may not be that significant.

Finally, I would not pair Accuphase and NAD. In fact, I find the recommendation of your dealer (i.e. options 4 and 5) ridiculous. I have nothing against the NAD, but instead of enjoying the music made by your new Accuphase unit, you will be biting your nails thinking at the weakest link in your chains and at the next upgrade. That never made anyone happy.

Yeah, I would go with one of the integrateds over the big separates like the A-70 for the smaller Harbeth speakers.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by nvp

Second, the E-470 will give you the best bang for the buck as it has more than enough power and sound-wise is on par with E-600 and/or A-36 & C-2120 combo.

Ok, how about the 2 A-36s as per the dealer recommendation.

[shl5+fan]

Thanks NVP and Dave. I was thinking of going that route - C2420 and a A36 then adding another a36 later on. But if its just a waste of money I will just go with a E-470.

[Dave_72]

Originally Posted by shl5+fan

Thanks NVP and Dave. I was thinking of going that route - C2420 and a A36 then adding another a36 later on. But if its just a waste of money I will just go with a E-470.

You're welcome. Sounds good.

However, I don't know how 2 A-36s sound bridged or biamped. I would definitely be interested to hear that set up.