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Sugden - Electrocompaniet - Naim - Accuphase

This is my first posting! This seems a great place where a lot of audiophile knowledge is available ;-)

I’m in search for a great musical integrated amplifier and matching cd-player (same manufacturer) for my B&W Signature 805 speakers.
I mostly listen to pop, rock, 60s, blues, (no classical)
I’m looking for a musical pairing, slighty warm sound, not too analytical or cold sounding.
I want to listen for hours, so I’m looking for great mids and the highs have to be sweet (no harshness, or sharp s-sounds). Not too laid back either. With the very detailed nautilus-tweeter I don’t want an overdetailed and sharp sound, so the amp and cd shouldn’t be too analytical, and should be a little forgiven for bad (sharp) recordings.

Following models caught my attention:

1. SUGDEN A21SE and CD21SE
2 * 30 W class A amp. I’m wondering if this amp is going to drive my 805 with ease, as it is rather low powered? Is this pairing good for Rock music?

2. ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 5 and ECC1
2 * 120 W (8 Ohm), 2 * 200 W (4 Ohm) and 2 * 350 (2 Ohm) transistor amp.
Electrocompaniet has a great reputation for building superb amps. I’m wondering if this rather new amp and cd-player is that good in their price range as their reference EMC 1/Up Cd player and NEMO class A amps, which where built to drive the B&W Nautilus.

3. NAIM SUPERNAIT and CD 5X.
Naim PraT should have enough drive for my speakers, but I’m worried that its drive will cause listening fatigue....

4. ACCUPHASE E213 and DP 400.
Smallest Accuphase integrated and cdplayer ( 2* 90W). Isn’t this pairing too analytical for the detailed Nautilus tweeter?

Can somebody give their opinions? I know that I shoud listen by myself, but there aren’t many great dealers in the neighbourhood... (closest: more than 150 miles, and he hasn’t all the stuff I want to hear...)

Thnx
John
jshasselt
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I was reporting on a test of the A21A which did not meet its power rating and did not sound particularly good. Your assumption that the addition of SE somehow transforms it into a more powerful and much better sounding amp is based on what? SE editions usually take good sounding items and make them sound better by the addition of better parts, not turn pigs ears into silk purses. SE means special edition of a given product, not a totally different product. It is hard to see how the subistution of a few parts could increase the power output of an amp that could not meet its previous rating by 50%. If you believe it can perhaps I could interest you in some flying pig insurance.
realhifi
159 posts
 
In answer to your simple question whether the 30 watt Sudgen will drive the 805s to high levels with rock, etc.

No.
nolitan
865 posts
 
The accuphase would be a good match with the Nautilus.
It wont be harsh especially when paired with warm cables.
jshasselt OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for your replies.

I think I'm gonna delete the Sugden from my list. The excessive heat is something I don't like.

So, after some more reading and input from a collegue, I'd like to throw in PLINIUS in my short-list.

The contenders are:

Accuphase E250 with DP 400 cd
Plinius 9100 or 9200 with cd101
Electrocompaniet ECI 3 or 5 with ECC1 or EMC1-UP cd player

Anyone listened to the Plinius in combination with the B&W 805?

Thkx
JS
soix
9,456 posts
 
Not to muddy the waters, and I don't even know what they offer in terms of integrateds, but Classe electronics are often cited as being a good synergistic match with B&W speakers. And they're certainly not billed as being bright or edgy, so they might be worth adding to the list.

Best of luck.
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