B&W 803D advice please.
Discussion
The choice of CD or tuner is very subjective and for your ears to make imho. The same applies to the amp but from a technical view, a little care is needed when selecting amps to audition. The 803D's impedance dips well below 4 ohms in places so some amps will struggle; its not a difficult reactive load bit but it is current hungry and measures nearer 3 ohms than 4 ohms through most of the bass region; amps which are strong into low impedances should help bass performance. The link shows 803s impedance vs 803D; the D is the right hand image. http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?14694-... .
Edited by Crackie on Sunday 21st April 16:09
If I go with the 803s then probably Classe for amp (because of the B&W tie-up). But a weekend spent auditioning stuff has opened up the usual bewildering range of options from the sublime (nautilus speakers at £60k+ etc) to the ridiculous (see below).
One albeit radically different option which sounded really good to me (and a lot cheaper!) was a Naim Uniti 2 matched with Naim Ovator 400s. The room is a decent size (40sqm) but not so huge that this wouldn't fill it with sound quite adequately. I think Linn found these all-in-one systems (Classik/DI/Unidisk) was putting too much in one box, but Naim seem to have developed the idea more successfully. And I must say the idea of less equipment rather than more is very appealing.
One albeit radically different option which sounded really good to me (and a lot cheaper!) was a Naim Uniti 2 matched with Naim Ovator 400s. The room is a decent size (40sqm) but not so huge that this wouldn't fill it with sound quite adequately. I think Linn found these all-in-one systems (Classik/DI/Unidisk) was putting too much in one box, but Naim seem to have developed the idea more successfully. And I must say the idea of less equipment rather than more is very appealing.
803's can be bass light if not partnered correctly - I've tried various amps to drive mine, but I find the Meridian 557 the best balance of bass weight and speed without making the overall sound too bright - which is eaily done if the amp used is lean in the bass area. They often come up 2nd hand on the auction sites.
I have the 802d's, from my experience when I bought them 5 years ago I can tell you the difference the amplification makes is huge. I ended up with a Dynavecto HX 1.2 which is no longer in production but was designed to drive Shahinian speakers which are apparently very hard to drive....it's been replaced by the HX-100 which is supposed to be superb. I also tried amplifiers from the likes of Bryston, Meridian ( I have a Meridian processor) and a couple of others but the Dynavector was head and shoulders for me. I actually have a Bryston 9B SST too which I use for the centre channel and surround channels when I am listening in 5.1 mode rather than two channel.
Cheib said:
I have the 802d's, from my experience when I bought them 5 years ago I can tell you the difference the amplification makes is huge. I ended up with a Dynavecto HX 1.2 which is no longer in production but was designed to drive Shahinian speakers which are apparently very hard to drive....it's been replaced by the HX-100 which is supposed to be superb. I also tried amplifiers from the likes of Bryston, Meridian ( I have a Meridian processor) and a couple of others but the Dynavector was head and shoulders for me. I actually have a Bryston 9B SST too which I use for the centre channel and surround channels when I am listening in 5.1 mode rather than two channel.
I find my 802's very different from my 803's though. The 557 will drive the 802's but not ideally (I use my Krell FPB) but with the 803's (and 805's) the 557 just seems to work perfectly. Although obviously if you are buying new (and have the budget) then Classe is a great option.StuH said:
Cheib said:
I have the 802d's, from my experience when I bought them 5 years ago I can tell you the difference the amplification makes is huge. I ended up with a Dynavecto HX 1.2 which is no longer in production but was designed to drive Shahinian speakers which are apparently very hard to drive....it's been replaced by the HX-100 which is supposed to be superb. I also tried amplifiers from the likes of Bryston, Meridian ( I have a Meridian processor) and a couple of others but the Dynavector was head and shoulders for me. I actually have a Bryston 9B SST too which I use for the centre channel and surround channels when I am listening in 5.1 mode rather than two channel.
I find my 802's very different from my 803's though. The 557 will drive the 802's but not ideally (I use my Krell FPB) but with the 803's (and 805's) the 557 just seems to work perfectly. Although obviously if you are buying new (and have the budget) then Classe is a great option.StuH said:
I find my 802's very different from my 803's though. The 557 will drive the 802's but not ideally (I use my Krell FPB) but with the 803's (and 805's) the 557 just seems to work perfectly. Although obviously if you are buying new (and have the budget) then Classe is a great option.
The 802D's load is arguably more difficult than the 803D's; there are some difficult phase angles below 100Hz. http://www.stereophile.com/content/bw-802d-loudspe... Tricky for a 557 http://www.meridian-audio.com/download/Handbooks/5... but no trouble for an FPB http://www.drhifi.net.au/Used%20Equipment/Krell/Kr...Your experiences are a good example, to sfp, of why amp selection is important when dealing with tougher loads.
Edited by Crackie on Monday 22 April 22:43
StuH said:
Cheib said:
Yes I am sure they are. Sounds like you have quote the B+W collection!
- eBay is a problem for those of us with a speaker addiction - my wife thinks I need counselling - I think it's 6 pairs in the last 6 months 
My wife hates my 802D's....I bought them just before we started living together. She'd love to see the back of them!
Order now in for Naim Uniti 2 + Naim Ovator 400's as sound system. Cinema sound via B&W MT60D speaker system. Also Yamaha RXA 1020 AV receiver and Yamaha BDS 473 blu-ray player.
All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
sfp said:
Order now in for Naim Uniti 2 + Naim Ovator 400's as sound system. Cinema sound via B&W MT60D speaker system. Also Yamaha RXA 1020 AV receiver and Yamaha BDS 473 blu-ray player.
All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
Not familar with the Ovator's but a quick Google and they're not exactly "budget" are they All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
- Should be a cracking setup - congrats! sfp said:
Order now in for Naim Uniti 2 + Naim Ovator 400's as sound system. Cinema sound via B&W MT60D speaker system. Also Yamaha RXA 1020 AV receiver and Yamaha BDS 473 blu-ray player.
All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
Hi sfp - pleased to hear you're sorted. BMR drivers are great All a bit unadventurous and conventional I know, but does the job.
Thanks for all the (very interesting but mostly beyond me) replies. Don't think I'm quite ready yet for the rarefied air of upscale audiophilia!
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