How do I power my 800D(3)s


Hi folks

I am new to this, but trying to learn fast!

I have long been a fan of Bowers and Wilkins and I am lucky enough to buy a brand new pair of 800D(3)'s.  I have recently built a new house, so now have enough space for this very special purchase, which I plan to make in the next month or so.

I want to run a two channel system in our living room so it's a pretty simple layout.  Can anybody give me some advice, so that I get the best out of the speakers.  Will a Pre-Amp, and an Amp be enough with a Streamer?  Do I need two amps?  

Can you also advise on the best brands to look at.  I see that B&W tends to show the speakers off in thier demo's with Classe?  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Matt
128x128matt_gf
The Nordost cables will suck the soul out of your speakers .. Try Cardas Golden Cross true bi-wire (NEVER internal bi -wire) or the new Magnans , also true bi wire (i.e two runs, or shotgun design)
George, with al due respect to engineers, I listen with my ears not with graphs ... Just conveying my personal experiences... If you ever go to audiophile or trade show see the Wilson Audio Exhibits and ask them why they choose VTL line of tubes...For all the Wilson mediocrity they recognize good amps and choose the VTLs.... Same with Jadis,  & Mastersound... They have that certain je ne se qui that no graphs can explain....
You bought a pair of $30K speakers yet don't know what source, pre-amp and amp to match your speakers. I don't understand.
As I am sitting here reading this string of posts, I have my newly acquired ProAc response 5 speakers (which are replacing my 20 year old response 3) all being driven by my recently purchased (about 15 months old) Classe Sigma SSP coupled with a Classe Sigma Amp 5 fed by an Aurender N100H and a Linn Sondek LP12.  My cabling is mostly vintage MIT with a Nordost USB.  I chose the Sigma because of the blend of really awesome 2 channel, coupled with great surround at a very reasonable price.  Classe chose the right places to make tradeoffs without compromising quality that they correctly deemed important for someone like me, and they absolutely nailed it.

I will be saving to purchase a pair of Classe mono block amps, but not sure if they will be Sigmas or CA-M300/600.  I will have to wait a while because either way, we are talking small car purchase...  only question is new or used! Lol.   My surround speakers are all B&W.  I bought my step son an entire system around B&W speakers which I lived with driven by the Classe for a couple weeks before delivering to him.  So I have listened to this setup with mid level B&W.  My Classé replaced a Krell KSP7b with Audible Illusions S120 stereo amp.  Many feel this preamp was one of the finer to have ever been manufactured by Krell (especially when considering its phono stage).  The AI was more than respectable but I know for a few thousand more, it could be easily bested it.  Previously, I managed a rock band where I had 4 records mastered using top of the line B&W speakers but I can't remember what the amplification consisted of.

My message is simple...  I absolutely love the Classe and when I had issues with the SSP, Classe completely stood behind their product and went above and beyond to take care of me.  Yes, there are many great sounding and excellent manufacturers and dealers that offer and stand behind their brands and products. A good dealer will let you borrow equipment, help you set it up in your home and try it. Trust your ears (not only the first seconds or hours, but days.  Trust your heart.  Buy from someone you still want to deal with in the years between major purchases and who will still support you during these "dry" years.  My guy has been Mick Survance of Quintessence Audio in Chicago area for nearly 30 years.  

People's posts tend to be highly biased because we are all both financially and emotionally vested, myself included.  Not a criticism, just an honest reality.  Classe was purchased by the B&W group 15 years ago and around 5 years ago they stopped manufacturing in Montreal and moved production to a company owned plant in China.  A lot of people are put off by this, which I guess is not unreasonable, but Apple still sells a hell of a lot of pretty high quality products... many of which I happily own but all of which are assembled in China.  All I can say is that to me, my system sounds fantastic, better than ever before... and I am absolutely thrilled with it.  Enjoy your quest.  Have fun with it.  And most importantly revel in the beauty of awesome music.  You could make much worse decisions than going with Classe, but if you decide to go that way, I expect you will be very happy as well.  Good luck!
I enjoyed my classe cam600.

honestly if I wasn't trying to free up cash, I would've kept em.

meaning if my wife didn't force me to sell them then I'd still have them.