Reccomendations for 802D's?

The 802D has an impedeance of around 4 ohms over most of the spectrum (not counting the bass peaks), but the impedance rises to well over 20 ohms at about 3 kHz. Here, take a look:

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1205bw/index4.html

A normal voltage-source-approximating solid state amp will deliver about 1/5 as much power (wattage) into that peak as into the 4-ohm portion of the spectrum. Presumably the speaker is "voiced" in anticipation of this sort of amplification.

Note that tube amps and McIntosh solid state amps have different characteristics, and will deliver closer to the same amount of power into that impedance peak as into the 4-ohm portion of the spectrum, resulting in a frequency response peak there. I suspect this is behind the "tinny" sound that Guiness heard with the 4-ohm taps on his Mac amps; there would be less tonal discrepancy with the 8-ohm taps. I also suspect that the tonal balance of this speaker would be smoother still when driven by a non-transformer-coupled solid state amp.

In my opinion, speakers with impedance curves like the 802D has are not good candidates for tube amps or for transformer-coupled solid state amps unless they were specifically "voiced" for such amps.

Duke

I used to own the 802d and would recommend moving them away from the front wall and corners. I found their bass to be a bit boomy and loose. I was able to tame it a bit by upgrading my pre and amp because I was unable to position them well into the room. I also agree with the opinion that tube amps may not be best suited to this speaker. Given their sound characteristics, I would think about a powerful ss amp that is dynamic and fast. Anyway , just my 2 cents.

Well I tell you Tboooe and Duke, I've heard the 802D's on MC501's and classe cam 400's, they've never sounded this good to me. This may be my room and placement versus the other place I've heard them but man, I'm as impressed with the sound of the 802D's at this point as I am anything. I just can't believe the detail and sound stage from top to bottom on frequency. Everyone has thier own listening taste but man so far this suits me to a T. Will be interesting to get some other Audiophiles opinions on this as I've got several people coming down soon from here to give a listen. Interesting to see if I'm crazy or if this system really sounds this good.

Thanks,

beerdraft

beerdraft, dont get me wrong. I am not disparaging your satisfaction with your system. I actually applaud it! Only your opinion matters. Don't let your audiophile buddies convince you that your system is deficient in any way. Trust your own ears.

Congrats on putting together a system that appeals to you. You have achieved what many of us have not.

Thanks Tboooe, I was really worried before I set it up since I've never heard the system and it was a lot of money. I've never owned mcintosh and never really heard the diamond series in a position to be a great sounding speaker, as I've only heard it at a dealer and not in the best sound enviroment. I was very nervous, I was really worried that my stuff would be on here for sale because if I didn't like it the least bit, it would be for sale. I must say so far it has exceeded my expectations. Can't wait to get my shunyata upgrades in and get everything broken in.

I know you're not trying to rain on my parade here, just opinions and I know you owned 802D's at one time or atleast auditioned them and they didn't do it for you, room and power and speaker, I geuss they all have to blend just right and we all definitely have different taste. I respect that and many told me to get another speaker but I had my mind made up that I like B&W and I'm going to give them a chance, glad I did so far.

beerdraft