Pre and Amp suggestions for B&W Nautilus 804?

I've had a pair of 804's for about 8 months. I've used them with SimAudio P-3 and P-5 preamps, and for amplification I've used an older SimAudio 4070 as well as a used Sugden Au51p. Both amps worked quite well. The Sugden is a 10 year old design, with lots of class A bias and good current delivery. I have had very good results using it on the 804's - it sounds tomally richer and more dynamic than the 4070. In terms of new solid-state gear, I'd probably recommend the SimAudio P-3/W-3 combo as providing a very high level of transparency, warmth, and dynamics for the price.

However, the very best I've heard my 804's sound is with a tube integrated. But not just any tube integrated - the KR18 BSI from KR Audio. It uses the 300BXLS tubes and puts out about 20 wpc with excellent current drive. This amp drives the 804's to near perfection, with smoother highs, more dynamics, a richer midrange and much better bass than any SS combo I've tried. It makes them into very musical speakers indeed.

I just sold my 804's 2 months ago and moved up to the 803's. I use the Mark Levinson #383. It sounds fantastic!! I use Cardas Golden Ref IC's and speaker wire(bi-wire). This combo to me just sounds right. Like music not Hi-Fi. Peace and Good Listening, Pat.

I use the 804N with Krell KRC 3 preamp and a Theta Dreadnaught power amp. The sound is very warm.

I also have the 804Ns sitting on granites stands made by HNE. They cost around US$500 here in the UK but they make a huge difference to bass weight and overall integration of bass with the mids. Without the stands, I find the 804s lacking bass weight and its bass timing somewhat odd. I certainly think that these stands are essential for the 804Ns to sound good.

I'm running B&W Silver Signatures. I traded in my Krell KRC-3 Pre and KSA-50S after Christmas on a Musical Fidelity A308cr Pre and Amp. I heard them after I ordered the MF Tri-Vista 21 DAC from a new dealer in town. I canceled the DAC order after hearing them A308cr's because I couldn't listen to my system without getting sick to my stomach. When reviewers say "it's like lifting a veil" from the sound, I now heard exactly what they meant. The Krell's served me well for eight years, but these Musical Fidelity pieces lifted the veil I never even knew I had. Also, try spiking the speakers with AudioPoints instead of the ones from B&W. PS. I ended up getting the Tri-Vista 21 DAC, and now I'm getting the lowest bass I've ever heard out of the Silver Signatures. I always thought Krell was the master of bass response.

Krell man,
B&W speakers like a lot of power! My B&W's have a sensativity of 93dB. I use 1200 watts per channel into their 4 ohm load. 50 watts, might have been a little weak for those excellent speakers of yours.

I am glad that you love what you have.

Richard