Hi Andy,
There are many worthy options in your quoted price range.
I own the 803Diamond, and previously the 803D and 804S. I currently use a Classé CA2300 (300W stereo) amplifier, and previously the Cambridge Audio Azur 840W (200W stereo) bi-amped.
I can highly recommend both amplifiers - the CA2300 is more precise and transparent, particularly in bass/mid-bass whereas the 840W has a slighter sweeter mid-range. Both amplifiers run a few watts Class A mode before transitioning to Class AB. Both amplifiers are superior to the very good Marantz Class AB amplifiers I have previously used. My conclusion is that Class A is desirable and the benefit of the resulting warmer/sweet tonal sound quality is obvious through the B&W Diamond tweeter and midrange.
The Classé CA2300 is overall a good match for the 803Diamond (and should be with 804Diamond). The 840W is bargain given the sound quality, but note there is a replacement due because it was recently discontinued.
I once precisely measured how power I used for typically music listening sessions and was surprised that it averaged a few watts(!) with a peak of around 40Watts when I very occasionally turned the volume up. So you can assume that for moderate listening sessions that 25W Class A will be more than adequate.
However for home-theater you need more Class AB power - I haven't measured peak power in my home theater - but I guess aim for 150W or greater.
Do consider the amount of heat generated from a full class A amplifier (e.g. Pass Labs XA100.5) in a confined home theater room.
I am big fan of bi-amping it will allow lower power amplifiers to sound less stressed (greater headroom) the primary benefits is improved sound-staging with more precise imaging and delineation between instruments. However a superior amplifier is better than a two lesser quality bi-amped amplifiers because instrument tonal quality is more critical than sound-staging for long-term listening pleasure.
The Pass Labs X.5 series and Parasound JC1 amplifiers should be auditioned based on their consistent good reviews. The McIntosh is a favorite choice on the HTGuide B&W forum. Unfortunately I have no personal experience with these amplifiers.
Regards
Mark
There are many worthy options in your quoted price range.
I own the 803Diamond, and previously the 803D and 804S. I currently use a Classé CA2300 (300W stereo) amplifier, and previously the Cambridge Audio Azur 840W (200W stereo) bi-amped.
I can highly recommend both amplifiers - the CA2300 is more precise and transparent, particularly in bass/mid-bass whereas the 840W has a slighter sweeter mid-range. Both amplifiers run a few watts Class A mode before transitioning to Class AB. Both amplifiers are superior to the very good Marantz Class AB amplifiers I have previously used. My conclusion is that Class A is desirable and the benefit of the resulting warmer/sweet tonal sound quality is obvious through the B&W Diamond tweeter and midrange.
The Classé CA2300 is overall a good match for the 803Diamond (and should be with 804Diamond). The 840W is bargain given the sound quality, but note there is a replacement due because it was recently discontinued.
I once precisely measured how power I used for typically music listening sessions and was surprised that it averaged a few watts(!) with a peak of around 40Watts when I very occasionally turned the volume up. So you can assume that for moderate listening sessions that 25W Class A will be more than adequate.
However for home-theater you need more Class AB power - I haven't measured peak power in my home theater - but I guess aim for 150W or greater.
Do consider the amount of heat generated from a full class A amplifier (e.g. Pass Labs XA100.5) in a confined home theater room.
I am big fan of bi-amping it will allow lower power amplifiers to sound less stressed (greater headroom) the primary benefits is improved sound-staging with more precise imaging and delineation between instruments. However a superior amplifier is better than a two lesser quality bi-amped amplifiers because instrument tonal quality is more critical than sound-staging for long-term listening pleasure.
The Pass Labs X.5 series and Parasound JC1 amplifiers should be auditioned based on their consistent good reviews. The McIntosh is a favorite choice on the HTGuide B&W forum. Unfortunately I have no personal experience with these amplifiers.
Regards
Mark