Mono Blocks for B&W 801 s3

There's a lot of choices, but they all sound different. I had the same speakers and the 802 s3's and found the high frequencies to be very harsh. Do you have that problem?

I would suggest highly you look at a McIntosh MC352. used (If you can find one) around $3500.00 This is the best sounding SS amp designed by Charlie Randall. It has 350 watts x 2 and will drive those B&W's beautifully. IMO.

Emotiva XPA-1L monoblock - Class A/AB - 250 watts/ch into 8 ohms, 500 watts/ch. into 4 ohms. 5 year warranty, 30 day in-home trial. And, get this - $599 ea.!!!

https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpa-1l

Or, you could go to their top of the line XPR-1 for $1699 ea.: Insane power with 1,000 watts into 8 ohms, 1750 watts into 4 ohms - this is a MONSTER amp!

https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpr-1

-RW-

Mh_stevens
I am currently driving B&W 801 Series 3 with the Krell KSA-250.

1) I think the 801's deserve a bit more power, and
2) I would like mono blocks to eliminate long speaker cables.

Suggestions, Comments

Hello Mh_stevens.

I had 801s3 in active use for 19 years.
As you know the 801 Series 3 are recommended with 50 - 600 wpc so you are right in the sweet spot.

I can offer some suggestions but need some more info.

1) what aspects of your music are you looking to improve on.
2) how long are your current speaker cables, what gauge, and are you biwiring ?
3)How big is your room L x W x H and where are speakers placed in relation to the long/short wall, and how far away do you sit from them?

With this info I can make some recommendations.

I do recommend you not sell your current Krell amp until you have heard other amps in your room for a week,
You are aware ? that Dan D'Agostino used Matrix 800's as his reference speakers when designing the big Krell amps ?
There is synergy with the 800 series Matrix line and Krell gear.

fyi - and something for all B&W 801 Owners.

I recently came across an interesting article on HD music and AIX studios which use 5 - 801 Matrix S3 in their studio.
In this case with Bryston gear.

Enjoy....

Absolute Sound HD Article

Studio Gear

No affiliation with AIX records.

As a somewhat belated response (had surgery) my cables are very expensive 20' TARALABS but no great gauge. The Krell only has one set of post per channel but the leads split onto four / are double, so a separate line runs to each post pair on the speakers.

My room is a problem; it is very wide but only 13' deep with an alcove facing left speaker and an open arch facing right. Sound is good but there is a depth or strength missing, particularly when volume is moderate. The 801 are on the floor (looking for stands). I once borrowed a 600 wpc McIntosh tube amp and it was superb.

Mike