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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
aball
2,016 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
neal1502
11 posts
 
I second McIntosh for the B&W 800 series.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
mad14, I was considering the very same question with my BW802d. I went with the Pass and here is why (btw, this is just my experience and opinion):

I already have the Classe Cp-700 preamp which is great sounding, smooth and refined. I was concerned with using the CAM's because I did not want to make the sound too overly polite. From my listening experiences, I found the CAMs when paired with the BW and CP-700 to be too smooth for my tastes. I wanted a little more leading edge to the notes and a more punchy bass.

From what I understand of your music preferences, I would not go with the CAMs, depending on what you already have for a pre and cdp.
mad14 OP
3 posts
 
Tboooe, what Pass Labs amps did you go with? Let me know. I am not sure whether to go for the X600's or the X350.5? I want more power than less, and the 600's fit the bill for that. Plus, I like the concept of monoblocks.

-Dave
mad14 OP
3 posts
 
I am not a big McIntosh fan, cosmetically. I think they look old and outdated. I dunno, maybe it is just my own opinion, but I really am trying to decide between Classe and Pass Labs. Those are my two narrowed-down choices. I am really wanting to make a decision this week.
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