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How do I power my 800D(3)s

Hi folks

I am new to this, but trying to learn fast!

I have long been a fan of Bowers and Wilkins and I am lucky enough to buy a brand new pair of 800D(3)'s.  I have recently built a new house, so now have enough space for this very special purchase, which I plan to make in the next month or so.

I want to run a two channel system in our living room so it's a pretty simple layout.  Can anybody give me some advice, so that I get the best out of the speakers.  Will a Pre-Amp, and an Amp be enough with a Streamer?  Do I need two amps?  

Can you also advise on the best brands to look at.  I see that B&W tends to show the speakers off in thier demo's with Classe?  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Matt
128x128matt_gf
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Symphonic Line Rg4 monoblocks
Yes these could be nice also, so long as they're not just bridged stereo ones.
As they are BJT (bipolar) output devices. Not much independent tests done to see if they can almost double all the way to 2ohms, but they seem to have the ingredients for it to happen. Again so long as they're not just bridged stereo's

Cheers George
kot
133 posts
 
Stereo Exchange in NYC has your 800D3s set up with Rogues I believe .... if they switched the amps and run them with MAcintosh or Devialet, these will sound mediocre at best .... Your speakers are fantastic ..Easily top 5 , price be damned !
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Tubes??? Not the best with this kind of impedance and -phase angle load in the bass kot.

The 3ohm!! load between 80hz and 800hz is bad enough.
But the 4ohms with -55 degrees of phase angle is an aprox epdr of around 2ohms!! at 70hz

http://www.stereophile.com/images/616BW802fig1.jpg

Cheers George
kot
133 posts
 
The Nordost cables will suck the soul out of your speakers .. Try Cardas Golden Cross true bi-wire (NEVER internal bi -wire) or the new Magnans , also true bi wire (i.e two runs, or shotgun design)
kot
133 posts
 
George, with al due respect to engineers, I listen with my ears not with graphs ... Just conveying my personal experiences... If you ever go to audiophile or trade show see the Wilson Audio Exhibits and ask them why they choose VTL line of tubes...For all the Wilson mediocrity they recognize good amps and choose the VTLs.... Same with Jadis,  & Mastersound... They have that certain je ne se qui that no graphs can explain....
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