MC402 vs. MC252 B&W 803S

At 90 dB spl for those speakers, I'd lean toward the 402 although the 252 would drive them well. Just depends on how hard you want to rock the house. My 86 dB Aerials sound good on a 402 but I could see someone who really wants to crank it up desiring more power.

I use the 402 with a pair of B&W CDM 9 NT (a couple models below the 803 but with the same recommneded power) that has a sensitivity rating of 89 db/w. There is no reason why you would be using all 400 watts of the 402 unless you are seated 35 feet away from your speakers :). I find the 8 ohm tap sounds best for my system. You can't go wrong with either amp as both have plenty of power, but you needn't be concerned about damaging the 803s with the 402. There is a power meter on the Mac (as you are aware) which I'm sure is only somewhat accurate. However, for the loudest SPLs I can tolerate, the amp has never been pushed above 100 watts.

I have 802D driven by pair of Spectron Musician III SE and I am in heaven... not only that I never auditioned a better sound anywhere.


I listen (and owned) Classe, Macs and whathave you incduling $30k Plinius Reference -M and none of them can be compared with Spectron,

All The Best in your Search

Rafael