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Best SS 200 wpc amps

I need a high current power amp for my B&W speakers. My system is Sony SCD-777ES into BAT VK-30SE to B&W 803 Matrix Series II speakers. My current amp is a SS Kinergetics Class A 75 wpc (rated at 130 wpc Stereophile). I want to upgrade to something reasonable and probably look for something used. I want something that is fast, dymanic, handles macro/micro swings, sweet mids, airy hi's and controlled bass. The B&Ws seem to love high currrent amps with some watts.

My list so far looks like Krell FPB-200, Sim Audio W-5, Rowland, Pass x-250, McCormack DNA -225 & maybe Edge. What do you suggest?

Thanks.
bigkidz
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
Audio Research
D200 or D300
merlin68
6 posts
 
Belles 350A
turnaround's avatar
turnaround
52 posts
 
Whew! These posts really narrow it down!
trich727
67 posts
 
Well Turnaround, actually they did. I beleive my suggestion of two Threshold amps got a second nomanation. We had some "I remember when I used this SS" stuff, which the mind can't truly remember sound, thus the need for direct A-B comparisons. I do use Threshold now and always have, with B&W 802's. Threshold S or S/E is an excellent choice at bargain prices. And you can still get them repaired or upgraded through Jon at Vintageamp.com. Tom
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bob52r
44 posts
 
i was on the same mission. the simw-5 is great and mates very well w/ 802. i got a great deal on pass aleph 1.2--a marriage made in heaven. got my pair for $5000. the extra power and current really opens up the 802's--more transparency, livelier sound, better imaging and depth. the b&w metal tweeters are much better behaved w/ the aleph's voiceing. i previous used krell and needed rolled off cables to deal w/ upper mid's and treble excess energy.
both the pass and the sim products are much more like real music through the b&w's. mccormack sounds good w/ b&w, but mccormack is brighter than pass or sim. i tried the 225. the old dna1 upgraded to A level has the same or simular virtues as the 225, but is less bright. with the b&w tweeters, brightness is a major system matching issue or at least is was for me. BOB-i hope i've helped?
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