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Proprius Amp with Harbeth M30.1

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joe-siow View Drop Down
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    Posted: 20 Sep 2019 at 6:53am
Hi everyone, I am currently amp shopping and would love the advice of the fine members here.
 
My room size is around 3 meters by 4 meters and I am currently running a digital streaming setup with the SoTM SMS200 streamer to Chord Qutest DAC, speakers is Harbeth M30.1. If I do go for the Proprius, I will have to use RCA to XLR adapters as the Qutest DAC only has RCA output.
 
I previously had the Leben CS300XS tube amp but the 15 push/ pull watts was simply not sufficient to drive the 30.1.
 
I understand that Graham designed the Proprius with the Harbeth 20.1 as one of his tuning speakers. Is anyone currently using the Proprius with the 30.1? Do you feel that the 30.1 is too hungry for the Proprius?
 
Thanks for any feedback!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 2019 at 8:02am
It depends on their use. For "normal" listening where the speakers and you are positioned for optimum stereo - speakers set 2m - 2.5m apart - then you'll be on the "first watt" most of the time, and the remaining 24 watts are there for effortless transients.

But the M30.1 is 6 ohms so the Proprius will deliver more than 25 watts, nearer 32 watts, which the 125 watt power supply is quite capable of.

Harbeth's own amplifier recommendation is "suggested from 25W", and here you have 32.

For hotel reception room use one customer uses a pair with high sensitivity speakers, so John C went along out of curiosity. When I asked if they were loud enough, he said "loud? When I left I could still hear the music in the car park across the street"

It looks like your source is fixed line output. Hopefully it can be set to a reasonable voltage? I read it outputs 3V which is rather high, and although the Proprius balanced input stage has good latitude, 3V uses up 14dB of its headroom. It would be sensible to operate it nearer its 575mV sensitivity.

With 0dBFS adjusted for 575mV on its input, the Proprius volume control fully clockwise, full power is delivered to the speakers, and there should be no clipping. I would not recommend using it like this unless you're in a sound proofed room and want disco levels.

Remember, the Proprius volume controls aren't like regular hi-fi amplifier volume controls which are set for maximum out at 12 0'clock (seems like cheating to me). The Proprius volume controls use their full span.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote joe-siow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2019 at 4:05am

Appreciate the advice Graham! It is extremely helpful.

I can select the voltage output of the Qutest DAC; 1, 2 or 3V.
 
The Qutest DAC only has RCA output, so I will have to use RCA interconnect. My other question is: Would it be a degradation to sound quality should I use a RCA to XLR adapter below?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graham Slee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2019 at 7:39am
I'd have expected more replies for you but I guess there are a lot of distractions going on in the world right now keeping our members otherwise occupied.

The 1 volt output will be fine. Adjust the Proprius volume controls accordingly.

The adaptor will work...

...interesting marketing claims: I wouldn't consider brass to be eutectic as zinc melts at a lower temperature than the brass alloy; it looks to be a Neutrik NC3MX which has a black chromium finish over the diecast zinc shell; the phono socket looks just like the Maplin ones I used to buy; and if so, we made one just like it but I didn't like all the wire it takes inside to take up the twist of screwing the modified "strain relief" on...

https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nc3mx-bag

(nice bit of printed heatshrink though)

We also make unbalanced interconnects available with a choice of plugs including the same Neutrik plug.

https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/interconnects-cables/lautus-interconnect.html

https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/interconnects-cables/cusat50-interconnect.html
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2019 at 9:44am
Hi Joe,
   There are many members here who can attest to the effectiveness of Slee cables. I’ve had a few “high end” brands and they do not work as well as the Spatia and Lautus cables made for me by this wonderful company. Furthermore, they will make exactly the cable you need, to the exact lengths you need, without fuss.
Anyone else care to weight in?
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fatmangolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2019 at 3:25pm
GSP/HFC are the best cables I have heard and cheaper than several I sold on from well reviewed brands.

My Proprius amps have worked well in a similar sized room at the listening distances Graham noted. Sounded great and able to go very loud with different sensitivity speakers from 83dB to 91dB per watt. Hope that helps.
Jon

Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BackinBlack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2019 at 5:10pm
I would recommend either CuSat or Lautus interconnects rather than an adaptor. When ordering you can request RCA to XLR terminations tailored to suit the Proprius input.

Mention should also be made of the Loan Scheme which allows you to listen to all Grahams products in the comfort of your own home for a week or so.

Happy Listening
Ian
Just listen, if it sounds good to you, enjoy it.
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