Best Integrated Amp? Help...

Maybe, but Six Moons notes the Blue Circle NSCS "is equipped with a massive 600VA toroidal transformer and over 100,000 microfarads of reservoir capacitance for a power output of 110wpc into an 8 ohms." That is a lot of reserve capacitance available for transients. While maximum volume may ultimately be reduced compared to say, a 500W Rotel digital separate or Musical fidelity KW 550 integrated, at most listening levels I think the Blue Circle would keep up quite well with the 804's and provide a nuanced listening experience hard to get in one box under two grand, IMO.

I heard a very impressive demo. of a KRELL KAV-400xi powering a pair of B&W 803Ds. This is where I would start, with an 800VA Toroidal Transformer, the Krell is a little powerhouse on an Integrated, with a long-time "Stereophile Class A" rating.

You don't need the power for maximum volume but control of the woofers with the B&Ws. Potential volts is unimportant compared to actual power delivery into the load.

I didn't offer a specific integrated because I don't really know one in his price range with the power that I suggest. The Rowland Continuum 500 will do it, but that's 4-times his budget. Separates is probably the only way to get the needed power at that price point.

Dave

Perhaps of some relevance here - posting from "Maccur" on AVSForum.com

"I don't know about Martin Logans, but I did an in-store comparison between the two about two years ago and went with the Musical Fidelity A5 for my B&W Nautilus 804 two-channel system. The Krell just didn't seem to have the depth and soundstage of the Musical Fidelity and, like most Krells, seemed to emphasize the bass. It's been a great match with the 804s, but it might be totally different with the Martin Logans. The best advice, as always, is to try out the equipment in your home and choose what sounds best to you."

I have always liked the MF A5 a lot.

If separates are a possible track, that would be a whole different ball of wax. Shooting for decent sound, control and power in excess of 100W in a pair of even used separates for under 2 grand is a tall order.

The product that immediately comes to my mind would be a used Odyssey Stratos amplifier with the Cap upgrade for power and possibly an Odyessy Candela tube preamp. This combination could be had for under two grand. It is only 150W but it has tremendous current capacity - which I think is more important for control and dynamics.

Another idea could be finding a Rotel RB 1080 (200W/ch) and RC 1080 preamp used.

Not sure either of these pairings would perform considerably better or even as well as some of the really very good integrated amps recommended above - and they would take up more space.

In general, good luck with this.