I quite enjoyed my 5802 when I had it. Good punch and a capable driver. I didnt find it bright or grainy but it was certainly a few notches above being neutral. Probably my biggest dislike was the noise floor.
If you have ever heard something like a Levinson you will know how it is purse music and eerily quiet otherwise in spite of pushing 250-300 watts a channel. With the 5802 you always know it is on if you know what I mean. At louder volumes not a problem but at lower listening levels it becomes more apparent.
I also found it did not quite have the detail and articulation that you can find in some amps in that price range. Personally if you were going in that direction I think the Adcom GFA 555 Mark II is better value.
For the money of the 5802 you can get into an Aragon, Accurus, Counterpoint, Odyssey even that lower level CJ Sonographe I think are all better amps for similar money.
If you have ever heard something like a Levinson you will know how it is purse music and eerily quiet otherwise in spite of pushing 250-300 watts a channel. With the 5802 you always know it is on if you know what I mean. At louder volumes not a problem but at lower listening levels it becomes more apparent.
I also found it did not quite have the detail and articulation that you can find in some amps in that price range. Personally if you were going in that direction I think the Adcom GFA 555 Mark II is better value.
For the money of the 5802 you can get into an Aragon, Accurus, Counterpoint, Odyssey even that lower level CJ Sonographe I think are all better amps for similar money.