Upgrade fever! New amp/preamp for B&W 803D's

[rmongiovi]

I just replaced my old KEF 107s with a pair of B&W 803D's. I'm running them off of an (also pretty old) Acurus A250 amp and RL11 preamp.

I'm really only interested in 2 channel; surround sound doesn't interest me. I just want really excellent stereo.

I'd like to stay in the ballpark of what the speakers cost: $8k. Any suggestions about equipment to consider would be appreciated. I really haven't kept up with the industry since the early 90s.... I presume things have changed since then.

About the only thing I know I'm picky about is that all my equipment is black, and I'd like the new stuff to match.
Roy

 

[highfihoney]

I really haven't kept up with the industry since the early 90s.... I presume things have changed since then.

In my opinion not much has changed in 2 channel audio since the 90's except that prices have gone through the roof for high end gear,another thing that has changed(for the worse)is the beliefs of many people & dealers that expensive power cables & interconnects are a worthy upgrade,dont fall into that camp & keep your cash for buying better gear.

With your budget you should have quite a few choices & if you dont mind buying lightly used gear you will have a ton of choices,try looking at this site below as there is a boat load of used gear for sale there & some real trust worthy people selling the gear.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1161788737

If it were me & going from my brief ownership of the b&w 802's i would be looking tword a krell fpb-300 amp http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1162094668 or a mcintosh mc602 amp http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1160745922 along with a mcintosh c2200 tube preamp http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1161463678 buying both would be well within your budget.

If your not comfortable buying & shipping gear from people you dont know personally just be patient & sooner or later the gear your looking for will come up for sale close enough where you can pay & pick up the gear in person but buying high end gear used is in my oponion the only way to go if you want to stretch your budget & not pay for the hype.

 

[Takeereasy]

I know they're not as pretty as Mcintosh or some of the big power guys out there but my favourite amp company, at least amongst the quasi-affordable brands, is Bryston. The 14B SST wil do the job for you with gusto. 600w in 8 ohms and 900w into 4 ohms with insanely low distortion. I do think the Mcintosh amps are prettier but if you want something to blend in then Bryston is your guy IMO. Here's a couple of links including one on audiogon for $3500, careful though, it's only got 18 years of the fully transferable warranty left . New cost is $6000. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1160396273http://bryston.ca/14bsst_m.html I wish I could claim to own a Bryston Amp but I don't. I have heard most of their products though, usually with either Monitor Audio gold series or Paradigm reference speakers.


As for a pre amp I'm really out of my depth. I only have one stereo system and it's nowhere near this price range, think 1/160th of your total budget, lol. (it's worth a little over $800 but I went used to see what I could put together for $100 not including source or wiring)

Highfihoney really knows the high end stuff and I'd consider everything they had to say. I also agree about staying away from super high priced wiring, but with a system as nice as your're looking at you might want some pretty cables, there's no harm as long as you aren't looking to improve sonics through cables.

 

[Toka]

Try AVA...?

Although I don't own them yet (damn my poor salary!! ), the latest offerings from Van Alstine (http://www.avahifi.com) have impressed me immensely. Incredibly clear power for days, with no BS. They sell direct so no dealer markups either. With a 30 day return policy you can't lose...and with your budget you can get their best preamp, amp, and DAC, and still have money leftover for music.

 

[JoeE SP9]

I just replaced my old KEF 107s with a pair of B&W 803D's. I'm running them off of an (also pretty old) Acurus A250 amp and RL11 preamp.

I'm really only interested in 2 channel; surround sound doesn't interest me. I just want really excellent stereo.

I'd like to stay in the ballpark of what the speakers cost: $8k. Any suggestions about equipment to consider would be appreciated. I really haven't kept up with the industry since the early 90s.... I presume things have changed since then.

About the only thing I know I'm picky about is that all my equipment is black, and I'd like the new stuff to match.
Roy

I don't mean to sound rude but what's wrong with the A-250?

 

[Sleestack]

TACT RCS 2.2XP paired with your amp of choice will make B&Ws sound the best they can. I'd go as far as having the crossovers at the binding posts disconnected and controlling those crossovers via the TACT. I did it with my Andra IIs and couldn't be happier.

 

[rmongiovi]

I don't mean to sound rude but what's wrong with the A-250?

Why would that be rude? As far as actually "wrong" with it, the little light in the on/off switch doesn't come on anymore.

It's really just feeling outclassed by the new speakers. When I bought it, my intent was to buy a good, cheap amp. Now I'd like to buy a medium expensive good amp. It's not so much what's wrong with it as a general feeling that these speakers demand better.

 

[PENG]

Last time I listened to the 802D, the rep first powered it with a Musical Fidelity system then the Bryston 14B SST. He expected me to hear much improved sound with the Bryston but I did not. The Bryston seemed to sound better overall but not too obvious. Regardless, either amp was able to do such a good job on the B&W that I have since decided to start saving up for the 802D. Based on that experience I would say the Bryston is a good match. For preamp, I would go with the McIntosh C2200.

 

[beppe61]

Why would that be rude? As far as actually "wrong" with it, the little light in the on/off switch doesn't come on anymore.

It's really just feeling outclassed by the new speakers. When I bought it, my intent was to buy a good, cheap amp. Now I'd like to buy a medium expensive good amp. It's not so much what's wrong with it as a general feeling that these speakers demand better.

Dear Sir,
I found the following comment from the manufacturer of the Acurus A250:
"The A250 is rated for 12 amps of continuous current and has 48,000 microfarads of capacitance".
Well these figures are not bad at all, providing that your listening room is not that big.
In that case you could need more clean amperes.
Have you tried a different preamp in your system?
I think you can "taylor" the sound selecting a different pre.
Just a suggestion.
I read a lot of positive words about your current amp.
Kind regards,

beppe

 

[rmongiovi]

Well, my "ballpark power supply quality check" says that the A250 only weighs a bit more than 30 pounds. That tells me it just doesn't compare to higher quality equipment.

I can't tell you how to compare it with anything, because auditory memory isn't up to the task, but I don't see how it can contain the components necessary to make a good amplifier.

 

[ssabripo]

I would strongly suggest you try the Cinenova Grande amp....a real Behemoth and a steal at street prices. Clean and uncompromising power, attractive package and price, and the reviews confirm it.

http://hometheatermag.com/poweramplifiers/12/

 

[mulester7]

I would strongly suggest you try the Cinenova Grande amp....a real Behemoth and a steal at street prices. Clean and uncompromising power, attractive package and price, and the reviews confirm it.

http://hometheatermag.com/poweramplifiers/12/

.....Ssabripo, this article by this Clint Walker is the only review I have ever seen on this amp....are there others?......

 

[Bernard L]

If that can be of any help, I love the way my Rotel RB-1090 sounds with the B&W 804s.

Pre-amp is a Denon AVR-4320.

Regards,
Bernard

 

[mulester7]

.....Rmongiovi, you got the best suggestion from HifiHoney referring to the two pieces of McIntosh equipment, imo....

 

[kgb540]

Well, my "ballpark power supply quality check" says that the A250 only weighs a bit more than 30 pounds. That tells me it just doesn't compare to higher quality equipment.

I can't tell you how to compare it with anything, because auditory memory isn't up to the task, but I don't see how it can contain the components necessary to make a good amplifier.

My NuForce Reference 9SE's "only" weigh 10lbs, would you say they dont have what it takes to make a good amplifier?

 

[highfihoney]

very odd?

Why do these type threads always end up with members questioning the posters reasons for wanting an upgrade or asking whats wrong with their old gear.

Very strange behavior

 

[Nick250]

Why do these type threads always end up with members questioning the posters reasons for wanting an upgrade or asking whats wrong with their old gear.

Very strange behavior

You can't make a recommendation for new one unless you know the inadequencies that the poster is trying to correct from the old one. This seems pretty obvious and straight forward to me.

What I suspect what you and I can agree on is the manner in which responders convey their point by repeating the same message over and over ad nauseum. Folks on all sides of the fence are guilty of this BTW.

I suggest tolerance. I work at it with varying success and may get better at it. They are some members here who are very good at it.

Nick

 

[highfihoney]

You can't make a recommendation for new one unless you know the inadequencies that the poster is trying to correct from the old one. This seems pretty obvious and straight forward to me.

What I suspect what you and I can agree on is the manner in which responders convey their point by repeating the same message over and over ad nauseum. Folks on all sides of the fence are guilty of this BTW.

I suggest tolerance. I work at it with varying success and may get better at it. They are some members here who are very good at it.

Nick

nicely put & i agree