2. amps-preamps
  3. 1409687842

Need some

Hello, I am looking for some “sound advice” in regards to an upgrade (?) of my equipment. Here is my current system; I am split between digital and analog, I have a Rega P5 with a Shure V15V MR cartridge, and a Marantz SA8004 SACD player. A Hafler DH110 pre-amp into a Hafler DH500 power amp. B&W 804N speakers. My issue is the pre-amp, it has been giving me problems of late, and I feel this is the weak link of my system.
I am looking at the Marantz PM8004 (or 8005) which would replace both my amp and pre-amp, but I am not sure if the decrease in power, 200 to 80 per channel, would still be enough to power my B&W’s. The other option I am exploring is a NAD 165 BEE pre-amp and continue to use my HD500.
Both units cost about the same $1000., which is about my budget, some the main questions I am asking are; am I living on borrowed time with my 30 year old amp (which I assembled, and currently is working perfectly), if I switch to the Marantz integrated, will it be enough power, or is the NAD the better choice.
I am sure there are other choices out there I may have missed, and I look forward to your opinions and input. Thank you all in advance for your help.
jhm007
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Sensitivity on paper for N804 is far away from actual. Same class speakers such as Totem Forest(86dB/W/m) would outscream N804 driven by amps that are in 50...60wpc range while N804 would require 4x much to give same SPL.

For tiny-bit more I'd recommend Bel-Canto E1-300s integrated amp. By so far I believe that it's one of the best possible matches for N804.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Get the best preamp you possibly can, even if you have to save up for it. If you don't, the system won't sound right and you'll be fooling with tubes, cables, AC treatment and other tweaks. Nothing can wreck a system better than a preamp that isn't up to the task.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
+1 Zd542. Pre-amp is the heart of the system.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
682 posts
 
If it were me, I'd recap the Hafler and spend the rest on a nice used tube preamp or seek out a B&K EX442, PS Audio 200C, Perreaux, or Acoustat TNT200 and tube preamp...I'd probably do the latter and seek out a new amp instead of recapping the Hafler although the Hafler is a very fine product and if you like it, then go for the recap...
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Jhm007, your speakers will have very similar impedance/phase angles as the 804d.
And this while reasonably efficient (90db) are a be of a nasty load, they don't need a lot of watts, but what they do need is an amp that can deliver good current. So an amp that can come close to doubling it's wattage for each halving of impedance will do nicely.

EG:
100w into 8ohms
180w-200w watts or close into 4ohms
350w-400w watts into 2ohms

http://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-amp-wilkins-804-diamond-loudspeaker-measurements

Cheers George
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