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Primare I30 and B&W 803D, enough power??

I am putting together a new system, going with a set of 803Ds bought from another audiogoner, and I am now looking into a integrated amp or separates, looking to spend around 1500-2000. I am reading very good reviews of the I30, but, on the other hand, many people mention that the 800 series are "power hungry" and many suggest 400 watt monoblocks for them....despite having a 90db sensitivity. Will I be fine with 100 watts (180 @ 4 ohms) for them? I am not looking to get ear bleeding levels, I dont crank it up since I live on an apartment and listening room is only 20 m2. My other idea is to go with some rotel power amps (1080 or 1090) but I think that the Primare will be in another league, sonically speaking.
Thanks in advance
demianm

Showing 1 response by zormi

zormi
105 posts
 
I would suggest addition of another amp for bass drivers, i.e. trying bi-amping. Natural choice in this context should be the Primare A33.2 (120Wpc).

Having pretty extensive experience with B&W (not exactly 803D, but smaller 803S - used to own them for 3 years), I have not impression that I30's current capability is sufficient for always power hungry B&W. My former pair of 803S sounded properly with Rotel RB-1090 or Parasound A-21, much bigger amps than I30.
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