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Sugden - Electrocompaniet - Naim - Accuphase

This is my first posting! This seems a great place where a lot of audiophile knowledge is available ;-)

I’m in search for a great musical integrated amplifier and matching cd-player (same manufacturer) for my B&W Signature 805 speakers.
I mostly listen to pop, rock, 60s, blues, (no classical)
I’m looking for a musical pairing, slighty warm sound, not too analytical or cold sounding.
I want to listen for hours, so I’m looking for great mids and the highs have to be sweet (no harshness, or sharp s-sounds). Not too laid back either. With the very detailed nautilus-tweeter I don’t want an overdetailed and sharp sound, so the amp and cd shouldn’t be too analytical, and should be a little forgiven for bad (sharp) recordings.

Following models caught my attention:

1. SUGDEN A21SE and CD21SE
2 * 30 W class A amp. I’m wondering if this amp is going to drive my 805 with ease, as it is rather low powered? Is this pairing good for Rock music?

2. ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 5 and ECC1
2 * 120 W (8 Ohm), 2 * 200 W (4 Ohm) and 2 * 350 (2 Ohm) transistor amp.
Electrocompaniet has a great reputation for building superb amps. I’m wondering if this rather new amp and cd-player is that good in their price range as their reference EMC 1/Up Cd player and NEMO class A amps, which where built to drive the B&W Nautilus.

3. NAIM SUPERNAIT and CD 5X.
Naim PraT should have enough drive for my speakers, but I’m worried that its drive will cause listening fatigue....

4. ACCUPHASE E213 and DP 400.
Smallest Accuphase integrated and cdplayer ( 2* 90W). Isn’t this pairing too analytical for the detailed Nautilus tweeter?

Can somebody give their opinions? I know that I shoud listen by myself, but there aren’t many great dealers in the neighbourhood... (closest: more than 150 miles, and he hasn’t all the stuff I want to hear...)

Thnx
John
jshasselt
jb8312
247 posts
 
Not really applicable at all, but, I used an Edge G3 with Reference 3A MM De Capp -i, which was a great match. I lived with the Matrix 805s for about 3 years and would say they are more "analytical" then the 3As.

John
celtic66
1,696 posts
 
I love mis-information. The Sugden A21SE is rated and delivers 30wpc Class A. The A21a is its smaller brother and yes delivers 20wpc. I own the pairing of the Sudgen integrated and CD 21SE. The integrated is quite good reproducing well female vocal, acoustic piano and acoustic bass. It is lightening quick and makes nearly all other amps seem lethargic and veiled.

I've owned a plethra of high quality amps to include Onix, Luxman, GAS and VTL. I've also ran Reference 3A Integrale, English Mordaunt-Short and Dynaudio with the Sugden.

My current system as it stands is the aforementioned using an Audio Zone Blackgates upgraded DAC, with Poiema III digital cable, MAC silver/copper interconnects, LAT International speaker cables, Analysis Plus power cables all feeding Coincident UHS TRS Triumph monitors on Sound Organization massed stands.

The CD player is very respectable, however I would not put it up against a higher end transport only. I've owned a highly modified Parasound/CEC transport which to this day outperforms all that I've heard to include the Wadias. I no longer own it because it had difficulty with burned CDs and my wife did not like the top loader drawer and heavy puck.

The Coincidents are 94 db efficiency so in a smaller room the volume does not ever travel above 9:00 o'clock. Should power nearly anything you would want to pair with it unless you grab electrostatics or some very large floor stander.

Hope this has helped and dispelled any misunderstandings.
gregm
3,410 posts
 
To add to the above:
* The sound you describe points to the Sugden or Naim amp; not that they are veiled -- but they offer a "bouncy" sound.
* The spkrs you have would be happier with the Electro's type of power.

I haven't listened to the Electro cdp.

Thus, speculating, you should go for the Electro from the power point of view OR the Naim, on the off chance that the amp's ¬80W/8ohm will suffice.

{The Sugden cdp is presented above & the Naim is good (enjoyable + robust sound, purportedly reliable).}
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

Electro ought to be a good fit.

I owned 805Ns some time back, of all the BW speakers, I did not find them leaning towards brightness. Placement and addressing cabling needs, signal and speaker, will ensure bright sounds are avoided... with pop and rock as preffs, I'd look to perhaps BATs int & CDP but I don't know the budget...

A mix of CDP & int might be in order too. Same same works for me with power line components, but not always with power & CDPs.... it's seldom that all power line device makers also make their own CDP... or even make them on comensurate levels.

Just 'cause the names are the same might not ensure synergy. one thing for sure... I'd add a sub so my int should have another set of outputs.
realhifi
159 posts
 
Can't say about the Sudgen. I do know that the Naim Super Nait is more than powerful enough for the B&W 805's. Open, dynamic, musical, inviting, involving and definately NOT fatiguing.
How the Naim gear has gotten it's rep for cold or fatiguing
is beyond me as I find it to err on the side of musicality if anything and simply drive the bejesus out of just about anything you put at the end of it. The new CDX2 w/digital out is amazing and matches perfectly with the Super. You can thank me later....*s*
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