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Which amps with B&W 800D's... Pass Labs or Classe?

I am finally down to the wire... I am considering either the Pass Labs X350.5, a pair of the X600's, or a pair of the Classe CA-M400's to power my B&W 800D's. I am having the hardest time making this decision. I love my music loud, and I listen to alot of large-scale symphonic music, choral music, jazz, and various recordings that are very grand in nature. I am planning on incorporating a center channel and surrounds eventually in a theater and multi-channel setup and I would like to use the same brand of amp for those speakers once I decide to add them. I have heard great things about all of the amps above, but I cannot make that final leap of faith. Are the Pass Labs amps and the CA-M400's from Classe in the same league? I would love to get the Omega Omicron monos, but the budget does not exist for those right now. If I get the Pass Labs X600's, I am considering upgrading to the X600.5's when the budget allows. I have heard great things about the class-a capability of the Pass Labs amps. I am not keen on bi-amping and I really need some help in making this decision. I look forward to your advice! Thanks.

-Dave
mad14
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Dave,

I would think the Classe CA-M400's may be your best bet. Yes, the Pass amps are excellent, but you are using B&W speakers. B&W bought Classe, and from what I understand they voice their speakers with Classe equipment. So it would seem to be a more natural match. Just my $.02

Cheers,
John
bigbucks5
184 posts
 
Considered McIntosh? Have listened extensively to 800D's powered by MC501 monoblocks...a truly great combination.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Yes, the MC501s on 802D was absolutely stunning (with MCD201 cdp and C46 pre). I also heard the M400s in all Classe sysetm on the same speakers - but a totally different room - and the sound was comparable but the MC501s had a very "human" quality that makes music sound perfectly natural. Hard to describe but beautiful to hear. I would go for the 501s and with their 720W into 8 ohms, you won't need more power.

Arthur
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