Cary 805 vs 211 amp

The Pass xa point 5 series will work with B&W speakers quite well. I have seen and heard this combo a couple of times with excellent results.

IMO, the Cary 805 is an excellent amp (I've owned mine for a decade+) and it can easily drive semi-difficult speakers like my Verity P/Es. However, I'd agree that the B&W's load looks like SET amps need not apply.

Would the 211 be ok Marty? Cary said it should be a great match.

I mean people have run the 805AE into some Martin Logan summits and those have terrible impedence graphs... If any of the more knowledgeable members can compare the two and see if the impendece curve of the BW 800 diamonds to be terrible.

Joey,

I'm just speculating because I've never heard the specific combination. There's a tough combination of steep phase angle and app 4 ohm impedance between 1khz and 2 khz on the graph so kindly linked by tls49. I'd personally be concerned because that's in a place where the ear is very sensitive. Therefore, an audition would be important for me.

As to the Cary 211, I have no experience. I own Cary 805s and 300Bs and think very highly of both amps. The 805 is probably suitable for use with a greater variety of speakers than all but a few SET designs, but they're still not for every application. I'd proceed with caution.

Just MHO.