Well,
I just took the plunge about a month ago and picked up a MC 275 V. I first upgraded from all solid state to a Modwright SWL 9.0 tubed linestage and a Mark Levinson 23.5. That was a huge change ... probably the biggest for me. I like the control of the SS amp and the smoothness of the tube front end. It really took the fatigue out of the all solid state system I was running. Again, this is just my experience I dont meant to knock anyone in love with their all solid state setup no two systems are the same after all.
I am running much smaller Aerial 6 speakers, so I dont think it's a 1 to 1 with your 804s but I thought I would throw in my two cents. I was so very happy with the Modwright/Levinson combo that I purchased a Levinson 360S DAC and a No. 37 transport. I was all ready to call it good when I heard the Mac 275 and Dynaudio Confidence C2's. Lucky for me I am very pleased with my current setup and I'm at a point where I dont feel like jumping every time I hear a truly spectacular setup. Somehow they never quite sound that good when you em home I have my two channel setup in a converted bedroom (12 X 15) - so the speakers dont need to work real hard to reach a desirable level. The Aerial 6s are a fantastic little speaker but nothing like the Dynaudio to my ears. One look at the price tag on the C2s and I could safely pass them off for the distant future but the Mac tube amp was do-able. I really got the itch to try a MC-275 after that demo. It didnt take long before I pulled the trigger and one arrived at my doorstep.
The Mac tube amp was really quite fantastic the demo ran for over an hour and I was significantly impressed with what it could do. I had purchased a few tube amps over the years and really liked the midrange frequencies in particularly the vocal range so I was hoping for the same magic as the demo. To make a long story short I wasnt all that blown away. It didnt have the same effect as the tube front end and SS amp. I am now looking to try a SS front end and the MC-275 just to see what effect it will have. Just for kicks mind you My guess is my speakers just dont fit well with the combo. I imagine the B&W 804s and certainly the 802s would benefit greatly from the 275s smoothness. I guess my system has enough of what I like not to have as much of an effect on me. I will give it a few more weeks and then switch back. I will go back and forth through the summer and probably park the 275 in the fall. I guess ultimately I might go with the Dynaudios and two MC-275s but by then it might be B&W 800s or Aerial 9s.
As for advice I gotta go with the tube linestage first try the Mac pre with the Rotel amp. Id just about bet it will reduce some of the fatigue from the all solid state setup. You might just fall in love. I made the mistake of demo-ing the 804s with a cold solid state setup about four years ago and decided against B&W I later heard the 800s with a Levinson amp and thought it was da bomb. I have since heard the 804s powered with an ARC tube linestage and kicked myself for not picking them up. The difference was astounding. Nothing against your current setup but I think you will be amazed at what tubes will do for you. I am running an all solid state Rotel HT system out in the living room and I rarely listen to music out there anymore.
I just took the plunge about a month ago and picked up a MC 275 V. I first upgraded from all solid state to a Modwright SWL 9.0 tubed linestage and a Mark Levinson 23.5. That was a huge change ... probably the biggest for me. I like the control of the SS amp and the smoothness of the tube front end. It really took the fatigue out of the all solid state system I was running. Again, this is just my experience I dont meant to knock anyone in love with their all solid state setup no two systems are the same after all.
I am running much smaller Aerial 6 speakers, so I dont think it's a 1 to 1 with your 804s but I thought I would throw in my two cents. I was so very happy with the Modwright/Levinson combo that I purchased a Levinson 360S DAC and a No. 37 transport. I was all ready to call it good when I heard the Mac 275 and Dynaudio Confidence C2's. Lucky for me I am very pleased with my current setup and I'm at a point where I dont feel like jumping every time I hear a truly spectacular setup. Somehow they never quite sound that good when you em home I have my two channel setup in a converted bedroom (12 X 15) - so the speakers dont need to work real hard to reach a desirable level. The Aerial 6s are a fantastic little speaker but nothing like the Dynaudio to my ears. One look at the price tag on the C2s and I could safely pass them off for the distant future but the Mac tube amp was do-able. I really got the itch to try a MC-275 after that demo. It didnt take long before I pulled the trigger and one arrived at my doorstep.
The Mac tube amp was really quite fantastic the demo ran for over an hour and I was significantly impressed with what it could do. I had purchased a few tube amps over the years and really liked the midrange frequencies in particularly the vocal range so I was hoping for the same magic as the demo. To make a long story short I wasnt all that blown away. It didnt have the same effect as the tube front end and SS amp. I am now looking to try a SS front end and the MC-275 just to see what effect it will have. Just for kicks mind you My guess is my speakers just dont fit well with the combo. I imagine the B&W 804s and certainly the 802s would benefit greatly from the 275s smoothness. I guess my system has enough of what I like not to have as much of an effect on me. I will give it a few more weeks and then switch back. I will go back and forth through the summer and probably park the 275 in the fall. I guess ultimately I might go with the Dynaudios and two MC-275s but by then it might be B&W 800s or Aerial 9s.
As for advice I gotta go with the tube linestage first try the Mac pre with the Rotel amp. Id just about bet it will reduce some of the fatigue from the all solid state setup. You might just fall in love. I made the mistake of demo-ing the 804s with a cold solid state setup about four years ago and decided against B&W I later heard the 800s with a Levinson amp and thought it was da bomb. I have since heard the 804s powered with an ARC tube linestage and kicked myself for not picking them up. The difference was astounding. Nothing against your current setup but I think you will be amazed at what tubes will do for you. I am running an all solid state Rotel HT system out in the living room and I rarely listen to music out there anymore.