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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
mummy
3 posts
 
No body mentioned BAT VK-1000? I have a pair of monoblock VK-1000s drive B&W 801D, they are perfectly marriaged, they sound amazing with deep soundstage!
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy
381 posts
 
Bryston
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I don’t think that it is bad to manufacture audio in China when you use good parts. When you start to use cheaper parts the sound and quality is different.

I just spoke a person today who uses AudioResearch, he said; that the new pre amps uses cheaper parts and he didn’t like the sound and quality either.

In my world you need better materials instead of cheaper and inferior parts. You need to give people more quality, we already have too much quantity in audio.
linndo
7 posts
 
Matt,

i seldom participate on the forums, but you asked about Linn.  I have a pair of 802D2s (and a matching center HTM) that I originally paired with a Mac MC303.  They sounded great -- I thought. Then I acquired a Linn Sondek (my digital side is all Meridian), and my friend told me I wasn't hearing the full potential from the 802Ds. He convinced me to trial the Linn Klimax Solos.  Game over.  I ordered 3 of them within a week. They ain't cheap -- you can find older ones with the old power supply, but get the Dynamik'ed ones. So fast, so sharp, so transparent.  It was like a bought a new set of speakers. 

So to sum up, I've run 802Ds on Mac and on Linn, and if you can afford them, get the Linns (Klimax Solos).   You won't regret it.  
mummy
3 posts
 
My system is: sources: McIntosh MCD500 CD player & Marantz TT-15S1 Reference Belt Drive Turntable (Audioclear, made in Germany); Preamp: McIntosh C50; Amp: one pair of Balanced Audio Technology VK-1000; Speakers:B&W 801D (last 801 version with Diamond tweeters and 15' bass driver); cabling: CD to Preamp & Preamp to Amps: two pairs of original NBS Black Label II; true bi-wire speakers cables: two pairs: Transparent Audio ULTRA MM1 & ULTRA MM2; Power Cables: 6 NBS Black Label II ( 4 for BAT VK-1000s, 2 for CD player MCD500 & Preamp C50).
I compared multiple times with the 800D2 system of Magnolia (in BestBuy). Mine performs much supperer in every aspect! Even my VK-1000s are almost 20 years old!

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