B&W 802d

[Alex2507]

All of us express our opinions, preferences on sound and vision; what is wrong with this ?

I'm not the one who labeled him a troll idiot but that is what he is and if you don't get what's wrong with that ... I got nothin'.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The troll has gotten enough attention alright. Let's not let him spoil the party.

Flyboy got his shinny new high-gloss piano black 802D2, which I wholeheartedly approve.

I think he's mulling over getting subs and a new amp? That should fun to talk about.

 

[flyboylr45]

Aaaaaactually, I'm mulling over a few amps and a preamplifier. I am going to audition the MC 2500 which is a tube preamp. I've never heard a tube system and want to see what all the fuzz is all about, otherwise the C50 is another solid state option. As far as amplifiers, I really like the 601s but I think that they would be going to waste and the MC452 would be more than enough for my room and these speakers. I'm also thinking about the Classe and the Pass that Gene reviewed but haven't made up my mind yet. But before that, I want to take measurements of my room and see if I need more acoustic panels. The panels that are currently in the room were used in my much smaller room so I'm guessing a few tweaks will need to be made to the room's acoustics. All part of the fun.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Aaaaaactually, I'm mulling over a few amps and a preamplifier. I am going to audition the MC 2500 which is a tube preamp. I've never heard a tube system and want to see what all the fuzz is all about, otherwise the C50 is another solid state option. As far as amplifiers, I really like the 601s but I think that they would be going to waste and the MC452 would be more than enough for my room and these speakers. I'm also thinking about the Classe and the Pass that Gene reviewed but haven't made up my mind yet. But before that, I want to take measurements of my room and see if I need more acoustic panels. The panels that are currently in the room were used in my much smaller room so I'm guessing a few tweaks will need to be made to the room's acoustics. All part of the fun.

Mulling over McIntosh amps and preamps sounds pretty fun and exciting for sure.

They are definitely pretty.

 

[flyboylr45]

Just cause they're pretty? What options would you suggest? ATI? Emotiva? JC-? Macs do hold their value

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just cause they're pretty? What options would you suggest? ATI? Emotiva? JC-? Macs do hold their value

No, I think McIntosh are great. I meant PRETTY and GREAT.

I thought the "great" part was automatic.

I think most amps sound great. But most amps are not pretty.

If I were rich, I would get all McIntosh. But I just can't afford them. Or just not willing.

 

[fuzz092888]

No, I think McIntosh are great. I meant PRETTY and GREAT.

I thought the "great" part was automatic.

I think most amps sound great. But most amps are not pretty.

If I were rich, I would get all McIntosh. But I just can't afford them. Or just not willing.

They're made with premium parts and have tremendous fit and finish as well as pretty good performance. I'm just not sold on the autoformer. Aesthetically, I love those big glowing meters.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

They're made with premium parts and have tremendous fit and finish as well as pretty good performance. I'm just not sold on the autoformer. Aesthetically, I love those big glowing meters.

Yeah, I prefer my amps to increase output with decreased impedance. I like my amps to have fuse-less protection circuit (I don't want to mess with fuses).

But I would be willing to sacrifice for the aesthetic if the price were my liking.

I am willing to pay $80K for a Lexus. But I am not willing to pay more than $3K for any amp unless I had a few spare millions in my bank.

 

[fuzz092888]

If I had any money at all I'd be searching out a pair of Threshold SA/1's. Those are probably the only amps I'd pay more than $2K for. Pure class A monoblocks with big analog meters.

Yeah, I prefer my amps to increase output with decreased impedance. I like my amps to have fuse-less protection circuit (I don't want to mess with fuses).

But I would be willing to sacrifice for the aesthetic if the price were my liking.

I am willing to pay $80K for a Lexus. But I am not willing to pay more than $3K for any amp unless I had a few spare millions in my bank.

 

[English210]

Aaaaaactually, I'm mulling over a few amps and a preamplifier. I am going to audition the MC 2500 which is a tube preamp. I've never heard a tube system and want to see what all the fuzz is all about, otherwise the C50 is another solid state option. As far as amplifiers, I really like the 601s but I think that they would be going to waste and the MC452 would be more than enough for my room and these speakers. I'm also thinking about the Classe and the Pass that Gene reviewed but haven't made up my mind yet. But before that, I want to take measurements of my room and see if I need more acoustic panels. The panels that are currently in the room were used in my much smaller room so I'm guessing a few tweaks will need to be made to the room's acoustics. All part of the fun.

Plus waiting for uncle Moneybags to kick off so I can buy your Focals is giving you time to make your decision, right?? Thought so

 

[flyboylr45]

A little time…..

 

[Swerd]

Aaaaaactually, I'm mulling over a few amps and a preamplifier. I am going to audition the MC 2500 which is a tube preamp. I've never heard a tube system and want to see what all the fuzz is all about, otherwise the C50 is another solid state option.

All part of the fun.

Because you obviously have fun shopping, and I know no one else spending as much as you are planning, I thought I'd recommend a little known but excellent internet direct preamp and amp maker, Audio by Van Alstine.

They're out of my price range, but I am familiar with these products from audio shows. Salk and Philharmonic Audio share display rooms with AVA at these audio shows, and these products perform excellently. They're plain looking – not audio jewelry – but I don't think they are outperformed by anything else available.

avahifi - Preamplifiers Comparison Grid
I'd consider the Transcendence Nine tube preamp.

avahifi - Power Amplifiers Comparison Grid
For your 802d speakers, get the most powerful amps AVA makes, either the solid state Synergy 450, or the hybrid FetValve 600R. They will drive anything.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

A little time…..

How much would those McIntosh actually cost you?

I'm assuming you are not paying full MSRP.

 

[English210]

Because you obviously have fun shopping, and I know no one else spending as much as you are planning, I thought I'd recommend a little known but excellent internet direct preamp and amp maker, Audio by Van Alstine.

They're out of my price range, but I am familiar with these products from audio shows. Salk and Philharmonic Audio share display rooms with AVA at these audio shows, and these products perform excellently. They're plain looking – not audio jewelry – but I don't think they are outperformed by anything else available.

avahifi - Preamplifiers Comparison Grid
I'd consider the Transcendence Nine tube preamp.

avahifi - Power Amplifiers Comparison Grid
For your 802d speakers, get the most powerful amps AVA makes, either the solid state Synergy 450, or the hybrid FetValve 600R. They will drive anything.

The AVA was recommended to me when I was looking to get a good amp. I got a deal on my Odyssey, and have NO regrets, it's a beast, but the AVA's have a good reputation.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, since we are talking about other amps, I want to sneak in the ATI AT3002 (rated @ 300WPC into 8 ohm, 450WPC into 4 ohm, but actual is more like 600WPC into 4 ohm @ 1% THD, stable into 2 ohm). Kind of similar to a Mark Levinson, Lexicon, Theta Digital, Cary Audio. It's even fully balanced from input to output and has a 7 YR warranty.

It is on sale now for $1622 + s/h. Plenty of juice and plenty of money left over for all kinds of subs.

ATI AT3002 Two Channel x 300 Watt Amplifier - B-Stock (120 V) - Amplifiers

But those McIntosh are definitely prettier to me than all these other amps.

 

[TheStalker]

McIntosh amps sound good and that's more important than anything else. I recommend staying away from fully balanced amps, never heard one which sounded good. Fully balanced circuitry is a major handicap if high slew rate and correct time and phase is desirable. McIntosh uses high quality Vishay metal film and foil resistors and capacitors, which make a huge sonic difference. The best sounding amps on the market today are the same as from two decades ago:

Rotel
Parasound
Bryston
Ayre
Goldmund
McIntosh
Classe
Mark Levinson
Audio Research
Pass Labs
Accuphase

 

[flyboylr45]

How much would those McIntosh actually cost you?

I'm assuming you are not paying full MSRP.

Out the door $12900 for both

 

[flyboylr45]

And as to the questions of wether I need more power or not, I do. The MA7000 is hitting those 250 watt limits in a hurry.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Re: B&W 802d

And as to the questions of wether I need more power or not, I do. The MA7000 is hitting those 250 watt limits in a hurry.

I see. Well, the B&W 802D2 may beg for 4 ohms power and the McIntosh may only give 250W even at 4 ohms. The AT3002 could give about 600 watts into 4 ohms @ 1% THD.

 

[flyboylr45]

I have looked at the ATI amp, many many times. I don't doubt that it's awesome and very comparable to the Mark Levinson. But honestly, I can't fathom looking at $15000 (msrp) speakers with an ugly amp in the middle. Frankly, I really like Macs. I love the sound, build quality and how they hold their resale value. I'll admit, I have OCD and I like to have the same brand amp/pre. I really like the Krell 402e but the krill pre is too expensive. I think you get more for less with the Mac C2500. Also looked at the Classe CA2300, which Gene raved about, but not too keen on the CP800 and it doesn't have a phono preamp. Right now I am working with Bryan at GIK because my room has a nasty peak at 30hz and a few null from 40 to 60 that need to be worked out. Also looking at adding the MEN220 which uses the Room Perfect software. I know Acudeftechguy likes DEQ My OCD is killing me!!!!!