Amp for B&W 802N ?

Just in case you missed my response (I know some of you must have): Listen up, B&W 801 and 802 owners! What amp you use is of little consequence compared to what crossover you use! What B&W puts in its speakers is a dreadful compromise of this beautiful speaker, severely limiting its performance. I recently bought a pair of North Creek Music outboard crossovers, and now my 802's are just incredible. I've owned and loved B&W's for almost 25 (yes!) years, but what these crossovers did for my 802's is far beyond any improvement I've ever made in amplification. I am not a salesman or affiliated with NCM in any way. But their product is a good example in this hyped hobby of getting good value for your investment. Go their web site and believe what they're saying there. Then buy a pair.

I can only assume that the same compromises which were made in the Matrix Xovers have been carried over to the N series. I do not have proof, but I'm sure the North Creek people can enlighten you regarding the very real physical limitations imposed on these marvelous speakers. B&W was forced to reach a certain market point, and they chose to concentrate their efforts and expenses on the areas in which they are most expert: drivers and cabinet design. Their design philosophy simply does not admit that Xover elements are critical. I am not saying B&W speakers, Matrix or N series, sound bad, or that the stock crossovers are lousy. I am saying they will sound better, perhaps their absolute best, if the crossovers are improved. The North Creek systems are a DRASTIC improvement, not at all subtle in their effect. They don't make the speakers sound different tonally, just more pure, more open, more dynamic, more real. I think the site is northcreekmusic, but use any search engine and it's easy to find.