What amp sounds best with the B&W 803D Speakers?

"similarities and differences between Classe and McIntosh? "

Similarities are that thay both are owned by B&W Group. Soundwise Classe is somewhat leaner but what is very important in my book: out-of warranty repair of Classe will cost you arm and the leg. I owned once Classe but not anymore... nor ever be.... board lucked internal fuses and for their cheapness I paid about $1k.

My choice of amplifier for my B&W 802D was Spectron: much better then both Classe and McIntosh !!!!!!.

You can get Spectron for 30 days home trial - check for yourself (with your speakers and your room acoustics etc) which is the best policy, I would think...

All The Best

McIntosh is not owned by B&W.

ARC. The new 200DSi integrated at 200 watts will make those sound out of this world. ARC also now has a 400 watt
version of that circuit in a power amplifier (DS400) that will be all you would ever need with those. Either of these amps will (in my opinion) trounce the Macs or Classe's and will make you VERY happy indeed.

I have no experience with Classe but IMO Mac amps are generally slow and colored with a house sound I dislike,B&W is slow and has a horrible tweeter.I would go with an amp that is faster and has better bass control for those speakers.

ARC DSi200 integrated amp at 200 watts into 8 ohms.
If you liked how they sounded with McIntosh you will flip over how they respond to Audio Research. If you get a chance, try to hear the new DS400 amp from them along with
one of their tube preamps also (LS17, LS26). You'll be spoiled in about 5 min.