I have read one or two comments in the past that say the McIntosh multi-channel amps aren't that good, but I take that with a grain of salt. I don't think you will get any major difference in sound, but the larger MC462 will likely have better bass control and heft.
B&W 803 D3 speakers - which amp?
I just upgraded my speakers to B&W 803’s and currently have a Mcintosh MC207 powering them for 2 channel music and 5 channel home theater...sound is quite good from the MC207. The question is...how much difference will it make if I switch to a 2 channel amp like the MC462?
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Not sure what the budget is for this, but I have 803's and they want to be overdriven in my opinion so you are light on the power. side for my taste... Unfort Big boy McIntosh power gets up there in cost. Anthem has a new 400x2 that's really impressive. I have 2 of those new Meridian amps mono blocked to mine and they are purely amazing. B&W want more power ;) Hope that helps |
Thanks for all the info...I'm not against spending the money on the MC462 if it's really going to help with 2 channel sound. I'm just not sure how much difference a 7 channel 200 watt amp vs a 2 channel 450 watt amp is going to make...if it really helps with "bass control and heft" then it may be worth the investment. Thanks again. |
IMHO the 452 will make a HUGE dif in the dynamics and bass even if the volume isn't loud.... its shouldn't be hard to find a dealer that has 452 and 803's on display both pretty common together at least around the NYC and tristate where I am. If you are in the NY/NJ area let me know and can prob help |
B&W 803 D3 speakers - which amp? An "impedance" vs "-phase angle" graph has never been done on the 803’s, but: Here are the impedance phase graphs of all of the 800 range, no reason to believe the 803 won’t be the same, which are all very hard to drive in the bass (70hz - 900hz) given their measured impedance and also when it’s combined with -phase angle (EPDR) which can look even lower to the amp that hust the impedance alone. These speakers need amps that have good current delivery, an owner should seek out amps the "can come close" to doubling the 8ohm wattage spec for each halving of the impedance, if they want to get the very best from the bass as well. EG: 8ohms= 100w 4ohms= 200w 2ohms= 400w 802 https://www.stereophile.com/images/616BW802fig1.jpg 800 https://www.stereophile.com/images/511B800fig1.jpg 804 http://www.prespeaker.com/images/201702/B&W-804-imp-thumb-650xauto-15553.png 801 https://www.stereophile.com/images/archivesart/801fig1.jpg |
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