About 12 responses ago, the OP added new info that that ML CD player sounded sterile , detailed, but thin. The Arcam CD player gave a warmer sound with fatter bass.
I currently owned the 802N and my experience was not enough bass like the cheaper pair of B&W 683. I have a McIntosh C-42 into MC252 at 250 wpc. The highs and mids are to die for, lots of details, but bass was just thin. And this is making use of the wall boundaries, etc. I gave up and just added an old B&W ASW1000 sub, and the sub volume at very minimum, just a tad to fill in the hole and the whole system sounds great now. Saved me from a lot of stress of trying to tweak the system and not get to enjoy my music with the money I spent.
The Classe amps are supposed to be the best match for those 802's as I read somewhere that they were voiced that way. I agree with others that the Bryston pre is analytical, and there are no tone controls (?) , so you cannot even boost the bass on some CDs.
I don't have anything to suggest as there were about 100 suggestions already, but I think I know how you feel, and good luck. Please post back once you find the working combination!!
I currently owned the 802N and my experience was not enough bass like the cheaper pair of B&W 683. I have a McIntosh C-42 into MC252 at 250 wpc. The highs and mids are to die for, lots of details, but bass was just thin. And this is making use of the wall boundaries, etc. I gave up and just added an old B&W ASW1000 sub, and the sub volume at very minimum, just a tad to fill in the hole and the whole system sounds great now. Saved me from a lot of stress of trying to tweak the system and not get to enjoy my music with the money I spent.
The Classe amps are supposed to be the best match for those 802's as I read somewhere that they were voiced that way. I agree with others that the Bryston pre is analytical, and there are no tone controls (?) , so you cannot even boost the bass on some CDs.
I don't have anything to suggest as there were about 100 suggestions already, but I think I know how you feel, and good luck. Please post back once you find the working combination!!