Class D amp wyred4sound and B&W 803D

The Wyred 4 Sound STI-500 is a great sounding amplifier. It sounds way better (less dry/more musical) than the PS Audio GCC-250 Class D amp that I also used. In fact, the STI-500 replaced a Cary Audio CAD 120S tube amp and the NuForce Ref9 V2 SE amps in my system. It is an excellent amplifier by any measure and surely would have no trouble powering the B&W 803's.

I think the W4S is a more detailed/nuanced amp than the Spectron Mk II Signature (upgraded with Mk-III boards) although the Spectron sounded a little darker in my system and the B&W's might like a darker sounding amp since they tend to be bright sounding speakers.

I now have two Wyred 4 Sound amps. The second amp is the ST-250 which replaced my VTL ST-85 to power my Magnepans in my small-room system. I'm quite pleased with the results. BTW, I've also tried a lot of MOSFET amps and I find the Wyred amps to be as musical as the best MOSFET designs but with greater clarity and resolution. Dynamic contrasts are simply spectacular.

I have owned much more expensive amplifiers than the Wyred 4 Sound amps... and I would still own them if they sounded as good...

"..Spectron Mk II Signature (upgraded with Mk-III boards).."

Hello Plato: Do you mean Spectron MUSICIAN II upgraded to Spectron HYBRID or what?
If its Hybrid then upgraded boards are from Musician III standard, Signature or Mk2?

You are compressing about 10 years of design evolution...

Dob brings up a very important point, class D amplification has undergone an incredible evolution during the last 10 years. Recent offerings of most class D manufacturers are significantly more musically satisfying than what was available just a few years ago.

Not only designers are evolving their creations to optimize synergy with various proprietary and off-the-shelf power conversion modules, but users are progressively learning how best to integrate these emerging amplifiers into their systems.

I am starting to suspect for example, that some solid core ICs may not be appropriate with certain class D amps, and may generate audible intermodulation in complex treble passages, together with a certain unspecific thuddiness in the bass region. I will need to investigate further, but early results may suggest a possible correlation.

Besides W4S and Spectron, other non uber-expensive class D brands/series to consider are at least the current Bel canto Ref 500M and Ref 1000M monoblocks, H2O, and the Rowland 102, 201, and 501 offerings. The Rowland amps just mentioned yield their best only when fed DC through an external Rowland PC-1 power rectifier. For more elastic budgets, Chapter Audio, Rowland, Spectron, and even Levinson offer higher end class D products, ranging from $20K to over $40K.

In general, most class D amps exhibit transparency, excellent dynamics, and very good bass control on speakers with wabbly impedance. But, designers being totally human (just like audiophiles are), they make engineering and sonic decisions based on budget and personal musical preference. Therefore, class D amps sound as different as there are models on the market. . . In the end, it is worth while attempting to listen to a few different class D amps before dropping some final $$$$s.

Saluti, Guido

I sold B&W from 1996 to 2001They are a very forgiving speaker and don't benefit from tubes the way many speakers to.That said they can be revealing. and we heard the major differences between the McIntosh and the Krell in our main room quite well (Mac was less resolving but highly musical and Krell had the clean highs and tightest grip you can find any where with bass).
My advice would be to go with a good Class A or A/B amp and just get out their and pair them down because D has been known to sound "Dry" you could go with a Butler hybrid if you are a tube/midrange lover like me but it depends on price.You want power.Ignore the 8 ohm high 80's low 90's efficiency.B&W canb have a nasty impedance swing (down arround 3 ohms) and really benefit from power at least 200 high quality watts better 250 or 300.Given what they cost they deserve a bit more dough the the admittedly bargain priced and dine Wyred.I'd say if trying to hold down price and no B.S a used Bryston 4B ST (or 7 mono's if large room and loudly played) or if you can swing it the SST.They are serious and value.Again you have a fine speaker and just getting out their and reading reviews,going to shops.Maybe you'd like tubey sound of SS Plinius?Gamut?Ayre?But you want minimum 200 wpc channel and headroom with them.Good hunting.I have heard them with newer Krell but I wonder how'd they sound with my 90's Krell KSA300S (goes to 1 ohm at 2,400 watts!though you'd never hit that).Top that with a tube pre.Well again your blessed or cursed with choices so go listen and read up!
Cheers
Chazz