I would greatly appreciate your advice on what monoblock amps to pair with Bowers and Wilkins 800 D3 speakers. I have gotten several different suggestions (none overlapping) so wanted to ask a larger group of people. Please don't respond just need to listen. While this is sage advice it is not feasible where I live.
I have gotten: Classe 600 McIntosh 901 McIntosh 601 McIntosh 1.25k Luxman 900 Rowland 735
(correction: Two 255SE not 655SE)
It dawned on me that the reason some favor mono's is to have a short run of speaker cable. In this case, I'd recommend two BAT VK-255SE in mono configuration. This must be done at the factory. Surprisingly, it only raises the wattage from 150 WPC (8 ohms) to 200, but increases
current
substantially (100%).
BAT dealers in Chicago: Music Direct (City) and Quintessence Audio (Morton Grove). Good Luck!
I am powering my B&W 802D3's with a CODA 16. Save yourself the cost of monoblocks, it's not necessary. The CODA has enough current to power your neighborhood. I am not sure if there are any other amps on the market that outperform its capacitance rating. The bass response through my B&W's is insane. I have a cathedral size room to boot. Additionally, I have heard great things about Rotel's Michi line. During my search for an amp, my dealer stated that the Michi combination amp preamp outperforms the Luxman M's for 1/2 cost. He sells both brands.
I have a A21 Parasound and really like the sound signature. When I upgrade I will be looking for the JC1s or JC5. Something slightly on the warm side may be a good match for the B&Ws as it looks like most of you current choices are.
Why limit yourself to monoblocs? My go-to amp for "heavy lifting" is my Perreaux 2150B. 340wpc/8ohms, 680wpc/4ohms,920wpc/2ohms. I paid around $900 for mine! Sonically as good as any of today's four-figure amps!
Thank everyone for their input! I am an aspiring audiophile so all information is much appreciated. Keep it coming for those that have paired or heard these speakers before. Have a great day.
The AVM Ovation MA 8.3s can drive virtually any speaker. Despite the 1100w power rating, they are surprisingly refined and delicate. They would be brilliant with those.
These B&W 800’s have a nasty load right though the bass where all the grunt is needed from 60hz to 300hz, and need amps that have big current dumping balls https://www.stereophile.com/images/511B800fig1.jpg
There are minima of 3.15 ohms at 91Hz, 3.1 ohms at 620Hz, and 3.67 ohms at 21kHz. Given that there are current-hungry combinations of 4 ohms and –52° electrical phase angle at 62Hz and 5.3 ohms and –39° phase angle at 8.6kHz, I believe this speaker should be rated as a 4 ohm load
These are the amp you need out of your list, forget the others and the set tube mentioned Classe 600 Rowland 735 Luxman 900
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