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HELP : Best pre and power amps for B&W804 and HTM2

To All Audio Experts,

CURRENT SPECS: I own B&W 804 front speakers and a HTM2 center speaker. I had them powered by Denon AVC-A11SR which is now completely broken beyond repair. I was not all too satisfied with the power provided by the integrated amp to my 804 speakers. I also have a run-of-the-mill progressive DVD player which also doubled for a CD player.

CURRENT USE: I mostly use my system for movies/music in the following allocation: 50%/50%.

NEED: I have between US$5,000 to US$7500 to spend on either (i) an integrated amp that is powerful enough to truly enjoy my 804 speakers or (ii) pre/power amp combination. The total cost should also take into consideration of the relevant cables needed (I think I should upgrade the cables as well).

I might spend another US$1000 on a very good DVD/CD combo player to upgrade such component from the existing equipment.

What is the best match for my current speakers (I want to be able to continue to use my HTM2 speakers in a 3 channel format)?

I don't think I will likely upgrade my speakers in the future (unless they break) nor will I spend more money to upgrade the amplifier once they are purchased (unless again they break).

Although, down the road in a few years, I may consider purchasing rear speakers/sub woofer but am not firm on this.

Lastly, I was recommended to go with Rotel RSP 1570 and RMB 1575 for pre/power amp combo but I understand this is a class D amp (which may be inferior, etc).

QUESTION: What is the best route to complement my current speakers under the proposed budget? I am NOT an audiophile but I also want to have the best components that I can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come without ever considering an upgrade.

THANK YOU MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL/INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS.
slim1
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,241 posts
 
There are two sides to understand; pre-processing/decoding, i.e. taking the Dolby Digital (various) or DTS encodings off the DVD (or the new HD formats for BluRay) and transforming them to multi-channel analog and "post-processing" where various steps towards timbre matching, etc....are taken by the algorithms in the processor. THX Ultra, and THX Ultra2 are examples of things that are post-processed. I'm no expert,...I'm giving you the layman's interpretation of all the various materials I've read and the equipment I've used over the years. In a nutshell, if you don't have the post-processing options, you can still decode and play Dolby Digital, DTS and other newer standards (according to what your processor will support) in their native formats and be very happy. I happen to have liked THX Ultra2 post-processing for my 7.1 system but that was largely a personal preference.

All of this is a lot more readily explained via phone/email so drop me an email and we can hook up so I can explain all the background behind this and answer any questions that you might have additionally.

I do not have experience with the Denon or McIntosh pieces you list immediately above; perhaps others can help you there. They do have good reputations...

If the processor does not have HDMI inputs, that does imply that video will not come out (and you cannot input HDMI audio either). For those processors with HDMI support these days, you should also pay attention to the version of HDMI that is supported so that you get the most out of your HDMI audio and video both now and in the future. Again, this is another topic where I'd be glad to explain in detail what I'm talking about...
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Slim,

I also have 804S, but only do stereo, so I can't comment on processors or multi-channel amps, but can give some input.

I use a McIntosh MC275. It's 2x 75 Watts, tubed amp. I LOVE it.

Amp brands that are generally regarded as good matches with B&W 800-series are Classe, McIntosh, Rowland (have not heard), Levinson (have not heard). Bewtween Classe and solid state McIntosh with 804S is a matter of taste. Both are good, in my view. Mc tubes are also a matter of taste.

I tried MC252 (250 W per channel, solid state) and MC275 and preferred the latter. Some prefer the 252.

Now, I did have a Rotel RB1080 (200 per channel), and while good for the money, they are on a different, lower, league than McIntosh or Classe. I actually switched over because the trebble was overbearing for my taste. The aluminum tweeters in the 804S are to be dealt with, with their pros and cons.
Please note the RB1080 is 200W while the 275 is 75W, yet to my ears the 275 had nicer bass coupled with the 804 and in my room. Someone over at AAsylum explained this was because the 804S is an overdamped design and the 275 has low damping factor, so they even up. Can't tell if this is so, but it sounds good to my ears.

I hope this helps!
Horacio
slim1 OP
6 posts
 
Thank you all.

I am seriously considering McIntosh MX-134 and MC205 given I can pick them up used on Audigon for a deep discount to their original retail price. The concern I have is if I purchase a HDTV that has HDMI connection but since MX-134 doesn't have a HDMI input, then should I assume that I cannot enjoy HDTV in HD?

I can live without THX Ultra, etc but would prefer to watch movies, etc in HD format on my HDTV.

How important is HDMI audio?

Lastly, I live in Asia and the voltage/hertz are different from the U.S. How easy is it to convert the voltage/hertz to 230w/60hertz (and what is the cost and where do I take the equipment to make such conversion)?

Thank you again.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Slim,

I got my 275 in the US and then moved to Latin America, and switching voltages was almost a non issue: the tech rep at the shop where I bought it had some internal wiring moved to one place to the next in the existing transformer and that was it. Frequency change was a non issue.

yet I'm not familiar with the 205. FWIW, I did the same with my Rotel amp. It's no big deal, as long as someone knowledgeable is willing to help.

Horacio
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zephyr24069
1,241 posts
 
You can still enjoy HDMI video by running an HDMI cable directly from your video player to your HDTV and using another input on the HDTV. The minor inconvenience is that you have to switch both your processor as well as your HDTV to the respective inputs to watch HDMI video and hear the soundtrack decoded through the processor. For surround sound processing, you would utilize TOS Link or S/PDIF (Coax digital) from your player to the processor. Make sure you get a player that will allow for multiple simultaneous outputs....
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