the problem here is.......you should not use a AV preamp for stereo. Get a decent ML preamp for the Stereo section. Then have front channels pre out hook from TAG to ML.
TAG product not that great at the price range. |
I use Nautilus 804 in almost the exact same system as you, except i use a Proceed AVP-S and quite different cables (see my system if you like)
This setup sounds fantastic on both home theater and 2 channel stereo. I would look at replacing the processor and taking a look at your cables which made a Huge difference.
You only listed your speaker cables with no mention of your other cables, but they can make more difference than the equipment itself if there is a truly weak link, so if you want that is the less expensive fix.
I have been playing around alot with power cords recently and the difference is HUGE. Soundstage presentation and depth are increased more than you would ever believe.
I never could figure out why everyone was buying all these expensive power cords,, now i know.
I hope this helps!
Greg |
Thanks for your responses. You have been most helpful. Just one other question. Do you think the Levinson 334 is enough power to drive the 803's? My living room is quite small 15'x 18'. Thanks |
System update.
I am also using:
SONY 9000ES DVD PLAYER
PANASONIC 42" PHD5 (1028x768) PLASMA- 2003 MODEL
REL Q150E SUB-WOOFER
AUDIOQUEST INTERCONNECTS
Should I upgrade my DVD player and should I buy a scaler for my plasma- the high res model doesnt display as good a picture as the low-res Panasonic |
I don't know if the 334 is powerful enough to drive that
speaker to max enjoyment. I heard the N803's driven by a Plinius sa-250 and it sounded great. I would also
look at speaker placement. Speaker placement can make the difference between heaven and hell -- how
far apart are the speakers? How far from the walls?
Do you have them toed in? Also, room treatment?
Do you have bare floors, a lot of windows?
Sometimes something as simple as a throw rug
or window coverings will improve your sound
immensely. |
DO NOT SELL THE SPEAKERS OR YOUR 334!!!! I OWN N803 AND A 335 AND JUST SOLD MY LEVINSON 39. I had 2 audio rooms now what you need to do is buy a Surround processor that has a great 2 channel section and I would tell you to look into the Classe gear like a ssp30 or ssp50 or ssp75 they have A SPECIAL SECTION FOR 2 CHANNEL LISTENING. REMEMBER ONE THING ANYTIME YOU PLACE A TV IN BETWEEN YOUR SPEAKERS YOU LOSE YOUR DEPTH AND WIDTH OF THE SOUNDSTAGE. Also the bryston amps are not the best match for any B&W Series matrix or nautilis. I would buy a CLASSE CAV 500 5 channel surround amp at 200 or 250x5 and it has a very very warm presentation and CLASSE IS A GREAT MATCH FOR YOUR B&Ws. thats why Iam selling all my gear and keeping my N803 And buying the HTM AND N805 THE CAV 500 OR THE CAV 180 YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY AND I know its hard to part with the LEVINSON 300 SERIES THEY ARE GREAT. I will qoute somene who worked for Levinson for many many years and was 3rd in command he works for CLASSE NOW AND HE SAID " I MUST HAVE HAD MY HEAD UP MY ASS ALL THESE YEARS" now that he has had the time to play around with the classe he sold his 336 and now runs all classe gear. best of luck any questions please feel free to email or call me at my home GINO |
Well I can't believe the speakers are your problem. And you seem to have quality power amplification. The 'interesting' part is the processor. I use a Bryston SP-1 which has a bypass for stereo setup which seems to make the N803s sing. By the way I use Pass Labs for amplification. |
I think its my ears...just getting too picky...audition the JM Labs mini-utopia- the N803's blew them away. Also Revel Ultima Gems- N803 won again. Only speakers better were the Mezzo Utopia and the N802..!!! but $$$$$. THANKS |
Just bought a 2nd hand ML 380S- WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!. I am happy now. Its so true that B&W speakers high end supporting equipment to make it really sing. Unfortunately my BRYSTON broke down today (2 years use). Lucky its got a 20 year warranty |
I agree with Lucynbarney's solution to better stereo sound: your pre amp: I also use a Bryston pre amp (the sp 1.7)with Nautilus 805s and the stereo sound is breathtaking. (also using arcam fmj 23 cd player). the sp 1.7 has complete analoge signal path including volume control w/separate power supply, truly great two channel sound. outclasses the TAG. |
Don't sell the speakers, you really should have two didicated systems. I use an Anthem AVM 20 ver2.1 for HT & a Bryston BP25 for my Stereo. I use Nautilus 802's for my two channel system and the CDM NT series for my HT. B&W is awesome. Rotel amplification works best with all B&W's with the exception of the 800 series, which works best with Classe. By the way B&W-Rotel-Classe are all the same company, and are all distributed through the same distributors. In all store & show setups you will see only their products together. Joe Atkins B&W chairman (owner) runs everything, he even owns the distribution side of things... Equity International. That's why all their products may not be bought through mailorder, they control everything.
Good Luck |
The 803s are not your problem ,look at your components try a classe amp and a cj tube preamp for examples |
Yeah, what Lafish said...scrap the Tag as a 2 channel pre...it doesn't cut it. |
It's the amp. I'm sure. Sell it to me.
OR
GET A DEDICATED STEREO PREAMP, AS HAS BEEN SAID. aLWAYS LOOK FOR THE COMMON THREAD. eVERYTHING IS GOOD IN MULTI CHANNEL, NOT GOOD IN STEREO. WHAT CHANGED? AMP? SPEAKERS? sOURCE? nOT EVERY MULTI CHANNEL PRE/PROC DOES AS GOOD A JOB IN STEREO. I'D LOOK AT THAT ASPECT. gETTING A PRE/PROC WITH "BYPASS" FOR STEREO IS JUST WHAT i'M GOING TO BE DOING.
LUCK. |
If great music is what you are looking for, You are going to have to buy a dedicated 2 channel music system. I thought I could build one system to do everything, music and video processing but I couldn't. |
Whats the latest? Its now 2012 8 yrs later. |
