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What do you think is the best power-amp between B&W speakers and Chord DAVE

Hi all,
I am new registered, even though I read a lot and learned a lot from this forum. 

I just got a Dave a few weeks ago. Indeed, it is great. I am trying to explore more out of it, considering upgrading my current power amp (NAD c275bee)  I love the Nad c275bee sound (it betters my YAMAHA a-s1200). I would appreciate something more transparent than the NAD. Something makes the sound MORE REAL..... 

To drive my 88dB b&w bookshelves, I think 150w could be more than enough.....so I arrived at these candidates: 

Bryston 3b3,
Chord Etude,
Passlab x150.8 or 150.5.
Parasound a23+. 

From what I read online, it is really difficult to come to an easy decision.

Someone says 4b3(3b3's big brother) is dark while someone says it is bright. PassLAB seems to be a favor from many people, but no clear ideas about how and why (some 3D sound stage?). While some people love Etude and say it is the new generation, but there are so few comments online. Parasound A23+ is also not a hot topic...... 

May I kindly ask for some suggestions and experiences? 


tension255
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@verdantaudio
It is not the best amp I have ever heard, but it is the best $2K amp I have ever heard.


dammit scott you are going to make me buy that damned nad... just to call you on your sentence 😆😆😆😆

it has been quite some years since i have heard a nad amp i liked the sound of
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Classe'?
dilatante
76 posts
 
@tension255  

What kind of B&W speakers do you have?
You know Rotel & Classe amps would mate really well with B&W, depending on your budget. But Classe Delta series amps are huge and you said you have limited rack space? Then a used Classe Sigma Amp2 class D amp would fit perfectly in your rack, it is small in size but it's class D amp and I'm not a fan of class D amp. While the Classe Sigma Amp2 sounded great but to me it sounded kinda dry due to class D design I think, but it is smooth though considering it is class D design amp. 

Naim would be another perfect candicate for your B&W and all entry level Naim amps are pretty compact in size except for its 500 series amp. 
dilatante
76 posts
 
@tension255  

Actually Naim electronics would pair really well with B&W. B&W is very forward sounding speakers and Naim electronics are laid back warm smooth very refined but still excel in PRAT. They will mate really well IMO. I suggest you should consider selling your Chord Dave DAC and just get the Naim Uniti Nova all-in-one integrated. I have heard this unit and is very musical sounding amp. While the Naim Uniti Nova is only rated 80 watts @ 8 ohms but it's very robust and will be able to drive most speakers.  

Just my thought.
tension255 OP
13 posts
 

Thanks all! Just a quick update from my side. Considering all factors, in the end, I tool Etude to drive my 606s2 fed by a Dave. Everything is great. Thank you all again for helping out. I appreciate all the comments all the same. If space allowed, I should have tried some other amps as mentioned above. Unfortunately, my rack is tooooo small for those really good ones.  ;-( 

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