Is 282/SC/250-2 'too much' for Harbeth C7 ES3 ?

Posted by: pz on 27 January 2016

Hi Mates,

Currently I have NDS+555PS and SN2+HCDR driving a pair of C7ES3 and I like the sound these boxes can produce. Suddenly, I have chance to buy 3 years old 282/SC/250 amp set on the S/H market for good price. Unfortunately, as home demo could hardly be arranged so I would like to know that the 'new' amp is reasonable investment to drive my lovely C7ES3 or it is just too much (too good) for this speaker.

What sonic advantage can be expected (if any) ?

What do you think ?

Cheers,

Posted on: 27 January 2016 by andrew jameson

I have a pair of P3ESR in my second system and upgraded from a SN1/HiCap DR to a 252/SC/250-2 and then to 252/SCDR/250-2DR and the uplift in performance was VERY evident at each step so I'm sure that the C7ES3 would benefit in a similar fashion

Posted on: 27 January 2016 by Clay Bingham

IMO your Harbeths are excellent and won't be overwhelmed by the 282, Supercap.......which I also own. I've heard the SN2 on its own and its also excellent. Not a 282/Supercap but excellent. In your decsion making I think it will come down to cost of the 282 system and the extra boxes. The NDS will certainly like and benefit from the 282 so if cost and box count aren't an issue go for it. The Harbeths will do fine.

Posted on: 27 January 2016 by christoph

Oh no. I use hl 5 plus with 252/300, and it sounds so great. I an sure they work better with 552/500! :-) I'd like to hear a p3 with a statement!

Posted on: 28 January 2016 by pz

Thanks guys!

Posted on: 28 January 2016 by ClaudeP

christoph posted:
Oh no. I use hl 5 plus with 252/300, and it sounds so great. I an sure they work better with 552/500! :-) I'd like to hear a p3 with a statement!

Mine sound great with 552/300! Of course the brand new SHL5+ will sound even better in 3 weeks...

Posted on: 28 January 2016 by LarsDK

282/sc/250 is a brilliAnt combo imo

Posted on: 28 January 2016 by CharlieP

You will love the combo. Be sure to put them on a good rack.

Posted on: 28 January 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi, I used to own a 282/HiCapDR and NDAC/555PS driving a pair of C7 ES3.. it worked reasonably well. The C7s smoothed off the ever so slight over exuberance from the 282 on some tracks.

just make sure you have plenty of space around the C7s.. They use thin walled cabinets and so effectively radiate all around..and so careful placement might be needed to avoid a lumpy bass.

Posted on: 29 January 2016 by christoph

ClaudeP posted:
christoph posted:
Oh no. I use hl 5 plus with 252/300, and it sounds so great. I an sure they work better with 552/500! :-) I'd like to hear a p3 with a statement!
Mine sound great with 552/300! Of course the brand new SHL5+ will sound even better in 3 weeks...

congrats! please report! christoph

Posted on: 29 January 2016 by christoph

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
Hi, I used to own a 282/HiCapDR and NDAC/555PS driving a pair of C7 ES3.. it worked reasonably well. The C7s smoothed off the ever so slight over exuberance from the 282 on some tracks.
just make sure you have plenty of space around the C7s.. They use thin walled cabinets and so effectively radiate all around..and so careful placement might be needed to avoid a lumpy bass.

i've heard the full harbeth range a few weeks ago and i found the c7 the best of them all for some reasons. they sound magic, they can do something no other speaker i've heard can do, my dealer compared them with koetsu cartridges, and it is the speaker he likes most of all independently from price range... but i like my hl 5 too

Posted on: 29 January 2016 by Dre

your sn2 and hcapdr do have advantage of up-to-date specs.

The supercap and 250-2 would need extra investment to get there.

I would keep sn2. And maybe try once to get a 282 to try in front it?

Posted on: 29 January 2016 by ClaudeP

christoph posted:
i've heard the full harbeth range a few weeks ago and i found the c7 the best of them all for some reasons. they sound magic, they can do something no other speaker i've heard can do, my dealer compared them with koetsu cartridges, and it is the speaker he likes most of all independently from price range... but i like my hl 5 too

It seems that Alan Shaw has Compact 7s at home. IMO however the SHL5 has more authority in the bass and a more organic midrange. Of course that's with my system, in my room etc, etc...