Great combo for me was Threshold amp ( s/300 sereies 2 )with Sp11 Audio Research pre-amp .Great combo ! Plenty of power and very musical ,with just the right amount of warmth.Tremendous bass slam.Great combo...Classe amp would do the same.. Any older Audio Rsearch pre would work great also -sp6 -sp8 sp10 or 11...This is all used stuff,where I feel are the best bang for the buck! You could also of coarse buy new,but in my mind get less for your money..
Amp Suggestions for B&W 801 Series 2 Speakers
We have a fabulous pair B&W 801 Series 3 speakers that used to be in our HT but now are used for stereo only. We are currently using a Yamaha DSP-1 Receiver and Monster M2 bi-wire cables, but I want to upgrade to either an integrated amp or component amp/pre-amp to see what these 801s can really do. That said, I need to do this for less than $4,000. A local dealer has a used McIntosh 6900 intergrated amp. Another suggested new separate Rotel Pre-Amp & Amp (minimum 200 watts/8 ohm channel). Any suggestions on power requirements, separate or integrated, manufactures and finally, new or used?