Well, what you’re hearing are the inherent sound characteristics of your speakers. If you prefer a warmer sound these really aren’t the speakers that would cater to your preferences and that you are now having to jump through hoops to fix with upstream components. And BTW your current amp and pre already lean to the warm side, which just shows you’re already fighting an uphill battle. So can you possibly improve the sound more to your liking with a tube amp? Sure, but that may come with other issues (and expense) so the question becomes should you? Basically you’re swimming against the current here, and another way to go would be to sell the 803s and buy speakers that actually produce the type of sound you prefer rather than having to work around the speakers with expensive fixes. I would point you toward something like Sonus Faber, QLN, ProaAc, or Joseph Audio speakers among others that would likely sound great with your current amp. Sorry to be a bit of a shot of cold water here but just wanted to give you another potential option and way to look at this. Best of luck.
Tube + SS bi-amping B&W 803 D3s?
In the constant quest for incremental gains and chasing the high from first hearing these speakers at the dealer, I have been considering bi-amping my B&W 803 D3s with a tube amp for HF and using my current Parasound A21+ for LF. Anyone have experience with this type of setup or recommendations for tube amps that may be particularly worth looking at?
FWIW, I tend towards warmer sound. The speakers are crystal clear but the Parasound tends towards brighter sound with them. The addition of the C2500 and the SVS subs has definitely helped, but I get the sense there is still some performance left to find.
Current setup:
NAD C658 Streaming DAC
Pro-Ject Carbon Debut TT with Sumiko Wellfleet cartridge
McIntosh C2500 Pre-amp
B&W 803 D3 Floorstanding Speakers
SVS SB-3000 subs x2