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What do you think is the best power-amp between B&W speakers and Chord DAVE

Hi all,
I am new registered, even though I read a lot and learned a lot from this forum. 

I just got a Dave a few weeks ago. Indeed, it is great. I am trying to explore more out of it, considering upgrading my current power amp (NAD c275bee)  I love the Nad c275bee sound (it betters my YAMAHA a-s1200). I would appreciate something more transparent than the NAD. Something makes the sound MORE REAL..... 

To drive my 88dB b&w bookshelves, I think 150w could be more than enough.....so I arrived at these candidates: 

Bryston 3b3,
Chord Etude,
Passlab x150.8 or 150.5.
Parasound a23+. 

From what I read online, it is really difficult to come to an easy decision.

Someone says 4b3(3b3's big brother) is dark while someone says it is bright. PassLAB seems to be a favor from many people, but no clear ideas about how and why (some 3D sound stage?). While some people love Etude and say it is the new generation, but there are so few comments online. Parasound A23+ is also not a hot topic...... 

May I kindly ask for some suggestions and experiences? 


tension255
14 responses Add your response
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
something with a warm tone

of what you listed, certainly the pass
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
I would avoid Chord and Bryston.  They definitely are to the brighter side of neutral.  Neither is viciously bright but the Chord Dave is forward as are the B&W speakers.  

On your list, Pass is much better than the Parasound and will deliver a better soundstage. Parasound is very good for the money but Pass is elite.  To get same quality from Parasound, you need to look at the JC line.  

I am not sure what your budget is but Bricasti or AVM would be best options IMO.  I would look at the AVM Ovation SA 6.3 or the Bricasti M15 or M25.  

I am a dealer for Chord, Bricasti and AVM.  I have no affiliation with any of the other brands mentioned.  
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Electron Kinetics Eagle 7 - designed by John Iverson. 
joey54
434 posts
 
I haven’t heard the Chord but for an amplifier that works well the older, not Class D, Primare amps were a great fit with B&W speakers. If you want to stay current you won’t go wrong with Pass. 
tension255 OP
13 posts
 
Thanks all for helping out. I just double-checked the dimension of Pass labs amps. They are way too big for my rack, I almost pushed the order button of Pass x150.8. I am checking the other amps recommended in the posts, but I am really leaning towards a Chord Etude..... 
tension255 OP
13 posts
 
Sorry, Pass is way too big.... I have to choose something else, at least <40 cm depth..... 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
we all are faced with ergonomic issues and at times, choices need to be made on criteria other than sound quality

good luck
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,499 posts
 
Given the depth parameter, that is helpful.  

Check out the Hegel H20.  It is 37cm deep.  Plenty of power and Hegel is known for a warm yet detailed and smooth sound.  Ideal for B&W and no more expensive than the etude at this time.  

Tonally, an NAD C298 would be better than the Chord etude.  It is 390mm deep and recently received a Stereophile class A rating and for good reason.  It is not the best amp I have ever heard, but it is the best $2K amp I have ever heard.  
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@verdantaudio
It is not the best amp I have ever heard, but it is the best $2K amp I have ever heard.


dammit scott you are going to make me buy that damned nad... just to call you on your sentence 😆😆😆😆

it has been quite some years since i have heard a nad amp i liked the sound of
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Classe'?
dilatante
76 posts
 
@tension255  

What kind of B&W speakers do you have?
You know Rotel & Classe amps would mate really well with B&W, depending on your budget. But Classe Delta series amps are huge and you said you have limited rack space? Then a used Classe Sigma Amp2 class D amp would fit perfectly in your rack, it is small in size but it's class D amp and I'm not a fan of class D amp. While the Classe Sigma Amp2 sounded great but to me it sounded kinda dry due to class D design I think, but it is smooth though considering it is class D design amp. 

Naim would be another perfect candicate for your B&W and all entry level Naim amps are pretty compact in size except for its 500 series amp. 
dilatante
76 posts
 
@tension255  

Actually Naim electronics would pair really well with B&W. B&W is very forward sounding speakers and Naim electronics are laid back warm smooth very refined but still excel in PRAT. They will mate really well IMO. I suggest you should consider selling your Chord Dave DAC and just get the Naim Uniti Nova all-in-one integrated. I have heard this unit and is very musical sounding amp. While the Naim Uniti Nova is only rated 80 watts @ 8 ohms but it's very robust and will be able to drive most speakers.  

Just my thought.
tension255 OP
13 posts
 

Thanks all! Just a quick update from my side. Considering all factors, in the end, I tool Etude to drive my 606s2 fed by a Dave. Everything is great. Thank you all again for helping out. I appreciate all the comments all the same. If space allowed, I should have tried some other amps as mentioned above. Unfortunately, my rack is tooooo small for those really good ones.  ;-( 

dznutz
146 posts
 

You made the right choice, Chord amps and Bowers speakers go very well together.  Another great pairing, although different sounding, is Accuphase.

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