Which amp are you using with your B&W 805s?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by 575maranello, Sep 11, 2017.

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  1. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    Ill also be using g a vintage Mcintosh C20 tube pre-amp.

    Thanks
    chas
     
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  2. Echoes Myron

    Echoes Myron Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Rogue Sphinx V2 integrated with 805 D3's.

    Sounds sweet and smooth!

    I have read that B&W typically pairs well with Mac, Rotel, and Classe.
     
    GyroSE likes this.
  3. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    Solid State over tube correct?
     
  4. GyroSE

    GyroSE Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sweden
    IMHO the B&W 800 series is made to be combined with tube gear upstream...
     
  5. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    thank you
     
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  6. whaleyboy

    whaleyboy Senior Member

    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    I used two different Mac solid state amps and thought that they were great together. I tried a Nakamichi (Threshold design) amp and it was terrible :)
     
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  7. mktracy

    mktracy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pasadena,Ca
    When I use to work in the industry we used a Mac MC 275 that sounded great at lower volume but strained to really push them to good volume levels. Really didnt care for the sound using Mac SS amps. The CJ Premier 140 was also a great sounding amp with 805D's
     
  8. amgradmd

    amgradmd Forum Resident

    Location:
    Richmond, VA
    I use a Mcintosh MC205 ss amp and it's fantastic with my 804 D3's and JL Fathom subs.
     
  9. Dave

    Dave Esoteric Audio Research Specialistâ„¢

    Location:
    B.C.
    :agree: Their cassette players is what they should have stuck to and attempted to design a top tier CD player. I used to own one is why I agree. My Nakamichi Threshold for tolerance was severely challenged. My current baby Classe' just left it beaten by the curb for the same $$$'s.

    Apologies for the O/T slide and now back to your regularly scheduled B&W 805's discussion.
     
  10. Black Elk

    Black Elk Music Lover

    Location:
    Bay Area, U.S.A.
    I used Pass X-600 monoblocks with 805N to great effect. I also had 803N and 801N models which also mated well with the Pass amps. I would have bought the X-600 to drive my 802s at home, but they idle at too high a temp. for a California home without air-co, so I bought Classe CA-M monoblocks instead, which are also an excellent match.

    I also used the Dutch Array mono amplifiers with the above speaker sets, and they were fantastic too, but much cheaper and lighter than the Pass amps, but without the massive power delivery.

    Array Audio (site is mostly in Dutch, I'm afraid)

    There are many happy B&W 800-series/McIntosh users on the forum, some even having the massive MC601 amps!

    I am not a tube-fan, and certainly would not drive 800-series speakers with tube power-amps.
     
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  11. GyroSE

    GyroSE Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sweden
    Neither would I as they in general are a bit power hungry, a mix between tube pre and solid state power amplification is the way to go IMHO.

    Bryston power amp's are great to combine with the 800- series speakers as well, I'm very happy with the combination I've, the Bryston 4B SST keeps my N804's in a firm grip and really makes them sing.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2017
  12. nwdavis1

    nwdavis1 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Detroit
    I am also a fan of the Mac / B&W pairing. I don't have any personal experience with their tube amps but have heard them in shops running at fairly high volume. I imagine if you wanted tubes you'd need as much power as you can get.
     
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  13. Dennis0675

    Dennis0675 Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Ohio
    I think you are looking at a huge commitment if you want to power them with tubes. Mono block some mc275's or something above that power rating.
     
  14. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    I have an MC275 I was going to try...
     
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  15. Dennis0675

    Dennis0675 Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Ohio
    I'm sure it will sound lovely but I don't think you will push 80db before you back off the volume.
     
  16. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    ok thanks Dennis
     
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  17. Dennis0675

    Dennis0675 Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Ohio
    Are you switching out that big technics amp with the huge meters?
     
  18. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    Nope thats at my Ohio home.....new system is for CT. That BIG meter amp isn't going anywhere :), I love it.
     
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  19. Dennis0675

    Dennis0675 Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Ohio
    Good to hear. Is that connected to B&W's as well?

    I'd be more than happy to swing by and turn it on to help keep it in good working order while your away...and check on your good liquor. You don't want that to go bad either.
     
  20. Erik Tracy

    Erik Tracy Meet me at the Green Dragon for an ale

    Location:
    San Diego, CA, USA
    Musical Fidelity and B&W is another good pairing.
     
  21. Rolltide

    Rolltide Forum Resident

    Location:
    Vallejo, CA
    I've powered my 805s with an MC352 and currently an MC152. I've also tried a 33 watt EL34 amp and it didn't really work well. Those things love power.
     
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  22. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    hahahaha thanks
    No thats connected to my B&W 803's, and I do have some good scotch[​IMG]
     
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  23. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    Thanks Ill check them out, I have their phono stage on the system above.
     
    Dennis0675 likes this.
  24. Tullman

    Tullman Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    ^^^That Prime TT looks pretty good with the acrylic cover.:righton:
     
  25. 575maranello

    575maranello Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Ohio
    Its a bitch to keep clean though.:rolleyes:
     
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