Best amp for B&W805D3?


I am settling in with these relatively new speakers and find my amp (Primaluna Dialogue HP with tubes ranging from EL-34’s to KT150s) is not matching up very well.  The tubes just sound a bit muddled and sluggish with some harshness or brightness in the upper-mid range.

I normally prefer the warmer sound of the tubes especially with Klipsch Heresy speakers. The EL-34s are very disappointing with the B&W’s.  With the B&W’s, the KT-150’s are somewhat better resolving than the other tubes (at least on the Primaluna amp).  I am wondering if it is the additional power that is helping?  I am also wondering if I need to switch to SS?

I am curious what amps are you finding works best worth the 805 D3s?  I am open to changing out the amp but not sure where to start.   I would appreciate hearing anyone’s experience with this matter...
pscar

Showing 1 response by verdantaudio

There are tube integrated amps that will work wonderfully but...like others have said, the price tends to be a bit higher.

It is definitely a mater of taste, but if the PrimaLuna is drifting bright, my hunch is Musical Fidelity (other than NuVistas) would be a dreadful choice.  That being said, the NuVista Amps would be a lovely choice and a good match.  Tube input stage and SS output stage.  The Nu-Vista 600 is more power than you need and is $6990.  

VTLs IT-85 integrated would be a first rate choice.  Those are hard speakers to drive in terms of impedance but don't require a ton of power so 60w should be good.  This is stable at 2 ohms.  Good luck finding a current price for it on the web.  One ad on US Audiomart sayd $5500 but who knows.  Not sure why letting consumers know what your product costs is so upsetting to manufacturers.  You will need to call a dealer.  

AVM is warmer in sound profile and the Evolution A5.2 would work well.  Again, more power than you need but will offer transparency and detail without drifting bright.  This amp is $6495 new.  For perspective, I have customers driving Magico A3s and Martin Logan 13As with this amp.  Both tough to drive, brighter speakers. 

Pass is an obvious choice.  I think the INT-60 would be the model to go with.  Pricey at $9K new, these show up in the used market from time to time simply because it is such a popular brand. 

Naim Supernait 3 might also be a good choice.  I am not a fan of how it looks, but Naim gear tends to sound good.  This is a strong value at $4990 and delivers 80w of power. 

Full disclosure, I am a Musical Fidelity and AVM dealer.  Both are available with 30 day in-home demos.  I have no affiliation with any of the other brands.