Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    south of France
    Posts
    42

    Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Hi all,

    I am looking to improve my system.
    The 2 sources, LP12 and MD 106T are not in question.
    The pre is superlative.

    The 802 could be the moving part but to bring in the Vivid Gyia 3 there is still a long way to go...

    So, even if the Coda TSX is a very good amp (2x400 watts /8ohms and 2x800 /4 ohms) i would like to know what amp you would recommend. (tubes, SS?) to drive these 802's.

    The pre is Hybrid and the most transparent pre I ever heard. (It should work with SS and tubes amps )

    Thanks for taking time to answer.

    Best regards,
    THALES TTT-C, Simplicity II, Etna,
    MD 106T
    SUT and Phono pre from Audiophile Technologie
    Ongaku (Kondo san era)
    LV OBX-RW

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Kentucky, USA
    Posts
    624

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    McIntosh MC 452 or a pair of MC601's.

    Very good synergy with McIntosh and B&W.
    Rance


    Synology DS411+II | GigaFOILv4 + Keces P3 Power Supply | Shunyata Alpha Ethernet | Lumin S1 | VAC Master Line Stage | VAC Signature 200 iQ amps | Kharma Elegance dB11-S | SVS PC-4000 subs x 2 | Shunyata 6000/T v2 | Kharma Elegance signal cables| Luminous Audio Technology power cables | Isoacoustics OREA vibration isolators | Solid Tech racks | Vicoustic room treatments | Acoustic Sciences Corporation IsoWall + IsoCeiling construction

  3. #3

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    I had a pair of the 802 D2s and loved them. I first used them with a McIntosh C2300 pre and MC402. The combo did not work for me. Tubby bass. slow and lacking in detail.. I swapped out the MC402 for a Classe C2300 and the difference was night and day. That was one of my all time favorite systems. Just to be clear, I am a McIntosh fan. It was just not a combination that worked for me.

  4. #4
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Another vote for Classe.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  5. #5

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    I still have in my home :
    Classe 300
    Classe 150
    Classe cp50
    Caribbean Distributor of
    ARC / Sonus Faber / Wadia / Wilson / VAC / Soulution / Nordost / Shunyata / Stillpoints
    Kuzma / Focal / Resonessence Labs / ARIA / KRELL / Pro-Ject...

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    1,369

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Pass Labs and Classe!
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  7. #7

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    +1 on Pass and Classe!


    Allen



  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    south of France
    Posts
    42

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Thank you for taking time to answer.
    If i am not mistaken, it is the same group of companies and the distributor B&W has Classe too.
    I will check the synergy very soon and will let you know!

    I am Ok for other suggestions...

    Best
    THALES TTT-C, Simplicity II, Etna,
    MD 106T
    SUT and Phono pre from Audiophile Technologie
    Ongaku (Kondo san era)
    LV OBX-RW

  9. #9
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Bryston 28's would be fun to try.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  10. #10
    Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Lake Country, Georgia
    Posts
    4,347

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Classe CA M600's would be an almost perfect match !!
    Mark


    Kharma DB9 Signature
    Pass Labs XP32......incoming
    Pass Labs X350.8
    Esoteric N-05XD
    VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
    Manley Chinook Phono Pre
    Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
    Kharma Elegance speaker cables
    Kharma Elegance interconnects
    REL Subs

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    1,369

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Another amp comes to mind besides Pass and Classe- Plinnius
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Lakeland, Florida
    Posts
    1,054

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mechnutt View Post
    Pass Labs and Classe!
    +2
    George
    -----------------------

    Aurender ACS10 Music Server > Holo Audio May KTE R2R Ladder DAC > Pass Labs XP-30 Preamp > Pass Labs XA160.5 Class A Mono Blocks > Martin Logan Renaissance ELS 15A Speakers

    Powered By 2X BPT 3.5 Signature Plus Ultra Isolators | Shunyata Research Hydra Triton + Typhon | Shunyata Hydra 2 Power Conditioner

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toronto,Ontario
    Posts
    4,978

    Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Bryston 28's would be fun to try.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
    I like Mike's idea with Tube pre amp.
    Paul

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    SE Pa
    Posts
    2,029

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    how much do you want to spend ???

    Tubes for the $$ value = Rogue
    Tubes not worrying about the $$ = CJ or ARC

    SS for the $$ value = Parasound
    SS not worrying about the $$ = Plinius , Pass or Spectral
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    587

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    There is a difference which 802's you are using the 802N, the 802D or the latest, the 802 Diamond.
    I have a pair the latter one and although I love them from the beginning the real thing happened since I have connected the AudioNET AMP mono amplifiers. Wow, I am still impressed by that sound: fast, wide soundstage, and most of all in control. There is never a stressed feeling about it and the AMP has an ultra wide frequency range where the deep bottom and the ultra high range of the Diamonds of course benefit from. I never had a second thought: I would do it exactly the same again.





    Attached Images Attached Images
    Hans

    Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 /alternatively JM Lab Point Source Aria 5 (self modified)/ 2x SVS 3000 SB, Audionet AMP (2x), dCS Bartók used as streamer / DAC / preamp, Pro-Ject RPM 9 with Speedbox S and Orthofon MC Vivo Blue, KEF LS50 Nocturne / Sunfire Atmos(kitchen). Patio: Bluesound Node 2i and Focal CMS50.
    RoonServer on Nucleus.

  16. #16
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    south of France
    Posts
    42

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    Thanks to all for your answers.
    @ Glareskin, the association looks gorgeous and must sound fantastic!

    For your information, I felt in love with Nagra Monoblocks VPA's.
    PP of 845 working in pure class A, zero feedback.
    I discover only now the 802's that I have for 10 years and which will be replaced very soon by Living Voice OBX-RX...

    Best regards
    THALES TTT-C, Simplicity II, Etna,
    MD 106T
    SUT and Phono pre from Audiophile Technologie
    Ongaku (Kondo san era)
    LV OBX-RW

  17. #17

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    I run my 802 N's on the Bryston SST-2 28 B's, with A VAC tubed preamp. It makes for a very good combo. 1,000 watts at 8 ohms.......oh my.

  18. #18

    Re: Best amp to drive BW 802?

    I ran the N802's with Clayton M 300's....Magical Combination

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

Best amp to drive BW 802?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •