I also agree on the Parasound Hint integrated---but maybe look at the Parasound preamp and a nice class D for power (Wyred 4 Sound, PS Audio...) Good luck!
Rotel RA-1592 MK II or something else to deliver around 200W to B&W towers around $3000?
So I just purchased a pair of B&W CDM-9NT and am now going deep down the rabbit hole trying to find an amp that’s going to let these speakers sing to their fullest. I keep coming back to Rotel as the consensus appears to be that these amps pair very well with B&Ws. I was trying to keep the budget to $1000...then $1500...now I’m looking at $3000 options...I’m not willing to go up to the McIntosh prices at the moment so I’m capping myself at $3k new or used.
I was thinking that going integrated was the best option when looking at the $1500ish options. Now maybe separates would make sense at $3000?
Goals in sound are excellent imaging and separation. Strong and tight bass is a must. Music selection is mainly very bass forward genres like hip hop & EDM. I also enjoy jazz, rock and sometimes classical as the mood strikes. A must have is digital connectivity for hi-res streaming. The room is 14x18 if that matters.
Any help is appreciated.
I was thinking that going integrated was the best option when looking at the $1500ish options. Now maybe separates would make sense at $3000?
Goals in sound are excellent imaging and separation. Strong and tight bass is a must. Music selection is mainly very bass forward genres like hip hop & EDM. I also enjoy jazz, rock and sometimes classical as the mood strikes. A must have is digital connectivity for hi-res streaming. The room is 14x18 if that matters.
Any help is appreciated.
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+1 on the Hegel or if you dont have Switching-Phobia you could try this guy. https://www.psaudio.com/products/stellar-strata/Strata on audiogon here for $2.3K Or do a $1.5K Tube pre and a Class D amp. Wyred4Sound pre & amp combo might also be a solution. |
You will get a lot of responses from non B&W owners who guess at an optimal pairing. I have two pairs of B&W, N802’s and Concept 90’s. The W4S ST500 produces deep controlled bass and tames the inherent brightness in the top end that many amps fail to do. I have always paired the ST500 with a tube preamp, either a VAC Renaissance or Manley Shrimp. I believe that a tubed preamp is part of the excellent resulting sound. Since I no longer own a SS preamp, I cannot confirm that. Wyred for Sound also makes an integrated amp which I have no experience with. |
If you're willing to buy used, you should focus on that. I'd look at Bryston, high slew rate, low distortion. You can get separates for less than $3k used. Rotel is okay, but mine became noisy after awhile. So many good amps out there, good luck. I'm using a modified Sony V-Fet, but those are not for everyone, that's for sure! (Parts are virtually nonexistent) |
Who keeps pushing Rotel amps to mate with B&W speakers? I'm guessing the dealers. B&W has extended highs. Rotel also has a lot of high-end energy, they do not make a good match. There was a thread posted last week, the member asked for help because the highs in his system made it uncomfortable to listen to. He was using Rotel and B&W. |