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Sugden - Electrocompaniet - Naim - Accuphase

This is my first posting! This seems a great place where a lot of audiophile knowledge is available ;-)

I’m in search for a great musical integrated amplifier and matching cd-player (same manufacturer) for my B&W Signature 805 speakers.
I mostly listen to pop, rock, 60s, blues, (no classical)
I’m looking for a musical pairing, slighty warm sound, not too analytical or cold sounding.
I want to listen for hours, so I’m looking for great mids and the highs have to be sweet (no harshness, or sharp s-sounds). Not too laid back either. With the very detailed nautilus-tweeter I don’t want an overdetailed and sharp sound, so the amp and cd shouldn’t be too analytical, and should be a little forgiven for bad (sharp) recordings.

Following models caught my attention:

1. SUGDEN A21SE and CD21SE
2 * 30 W class A amp. I’m wondering if this amp is going to drive my 805 with ease, as it is rather low powered? Is this pairing good for Rock music?

2. ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 5 and ECC1
2 * 120 W (8 Ohm), 2 * 200 W (4 Ohm) and 2 * 350 (2 Ohm) transistor amp.
Electrocompaniet has a great reputation for building superb amps. I’m wondering if this rather new amp and cd-player is that good in their price range as their reference EMC 1/Up Cd player and NEMO class A amps, which where built to drive the B&W Nautilus.

3. NAIM SUPERNAIT and CD 5X.
Naim PraT should have enough drive for my speakers, but I’m worried that its drive will cause listening fatigue....

4. ACCUPHASE E213 and DP 400.
Smallest Accuphase integrated and cdplayer ( 2* 90W). Isn’t this pairing too analytical for the detailed Nautilus tweeter?

Can somebody give their opinions? I know that I shoud listen by myself, but there aren’t many great dealers in the neighbourhood... (closest: more than 150 miles, and he hasn’t all the stuff I want to hear...)

Thnx
John
jshasselt
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

Electro ought to be a good fit.

I owned 805Ns some time back, of all the BW speakers, I did not find them leaning towards brightness. Placement and addressing cabling needs, signal and speaker, will ensure bright sounds are avoided... with pop and rock as preffs, I'd look to perhaps BATs int & CDP but I don't know the budget...

A mix of CDP & int might be in order too. Same same works for me with power line components, but not always with power & CDPs.... it's seldom that all power line device makers also make their own CDP... or even make them on comensurate levels.

Just 'cause the names are the same might not ensure synergy. one thing for sure... I'd add a sub so my int should have another set of outputs.
realhifi
159 posts
 
Can't say about the Sudgen. I do know that the Naim Super Nait is more than powerful enough for the B&W 805's. Open, dynamic, musical, inviting, involving and definately NOT fatiguing.
How the Naim gear has gotten it's rep for cold or fatiguing
is beyond me as I find it to err on the side of musicality if anything and simply drive the bejesus out of just about anything you put at the end of it. The new CDX2 w/digital out is amazing and matches perfectly with the Super. You can thank me later....*s*
jshasselt OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for all your replies.
I've been offered a very interesting used Sugden 21SE-set for a temping price.
I'm still wondering if this A21SE 2*30 W (8Ohm), 2*40 W (4 Ohm) class A amplifier can really drive the B&W 805S, which are 88db sensitive and a minimum of 3,7 Ohm.
Will the amp run out of steam at fairly moderate volume, esp. with bass heavy rock music?
Thank you.
JS
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
" or it is a slightly different model" Celtic66, what part of this did you not read?In any case I am somewhat prejudiced against Sugden: years ago I ordered the great, great, --- grandfather of this amp direct from them. It arrived in Chicago wired for English voltage and when I complained was told that I " had not specified a non standard voltage. " This type of thinking is responsible for their dominate position in the market today. Celtic also appears to regard passing along test findings from respected journals as misinformation. I do not.
celtic66
1,655 posts
 
Brevity is the soul of wit.

Following models caught my attention:

1. SUGDEN A21SE and CD21SE
2 * 30 W class A amp. I’m wondering if this amp is going to drive my 805 with ease, as it is rather low powered? Is this pairing good for Rock music?

The A21a is not mentioned.
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