2. amps-preamps
  3. 195731-172146

Tube + SS bi-amping B&W 803 D3s?

In the constant quest for incremental gains and chasing the high from first hearing these speakers at the dealer, I have been considering bi-amping my B&W 803 D3s with a tube amp for HF and using my current Parasound A21+ for LF. Anyone have experience with this type of setup or recommendations for tube amps that may be particularly worth looking at?

FWIW, I tend towards warmer sound. The speakers are crystal clear but the Parasound tends towards brighter sound with them. The addition of the C2500 and the SVS subs has definitely helped, but I get the sense there is still some performance left to find.

 

Current setup:

NAD C658 Streaming DAC

Pro-Ject Carbon Debut TT with Sumiko Wellfleet cartridge

McIntosh C2500 Pre-amp

B&W 803 D3 Floorstanding Speakers

SVS SB-3000 subs x2

andrewmland
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,194 posts
 

@emergingsoul 
I’ve read similar things, but haven’t researched it much, so don’t claim to  understand the technical ramifications of that.

My motivation was the potential for improved clarity by way of reducing the demand on the amps and the midbass drivers from producing the large and power sucking lower frequencies, but if it prevents the transformers for letting out the magic smoke, all the better!   

The active crossover could have provided the high pass filtration to the tube amps with some added flexibility, but was concerned about the noise floor.  The silver mica caps seemed the simplest approach with good signal integrity and low noise.  Really happy with that simple mod. yes

joeycastillo
136 posts
 

OP

 

you must try!!!

I own the 707stand mount version and I know the B&W house sound. The B&W sound is like a "V" shape sound equalization. so be careful on the choice of Tube amp for the Midrange/Tweeters. Your Parasound can drive the woofers as Parasound has a lot of current drive that can handle the B&W' but if you want a Tube amp, then look into a 300B or PP Rogue Audio power amps. another amp to consider are Prima luna. the 300B will give you the sweetness that most tube lovers are looking for. 

BUT beware, your PRE-AMO must be able to handle such a configuration. the ability to control independently the gain on each power amp is top priority.

 

good luck

 

andrewmland OP
9 posts
 

@tomcarr Toeing them out did help some so I appreciate that suggestion.

 

To all who contributed, I appreciate your insight. I've decided to try changing to Mullard NOS tubes in the pre-amp first to see if that will help to warm things up and then if not will be faced with the decision of bi-amping vs (painfully) replacing the speakers.

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