Best Amplification for B&W 802D

If you can, go somewhere where you can hear your speakers in a setup first before buying.

Or make sure you have a satisfaction guarantee with a clearly defined return policy.

Yes, it "should" sound pretty good, but actual goodness is in the ear of the listener. The question is will it? You won't know until you try. make sure you have an out if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Also, if you hear your speakers in a setup elsewhere, ask lots of questions to get some confidence whether or not that will translate into sounding good in your specific room before buying, even if satisfaction is guaranteed.

Hi Tathata, if you are new to audiophile systems that is one hell of a speaker you have there. As you have discovered, speakers like the 802D are very demanding on amps. Anything less and it will show up the amp mercilessly.

Unfortunately it looks as if you have gone for 5 speakers, so the salesman is correct with his recommendation for a quality 5 channel amp setup. If you wanted to save money, you could sell the rear speakers and center channel speaker and spend the money on buying the best amp you can get for your 802D's, which are superb speakers. The classic match for B&W speakers are Classe amps - not cheap, but you may be able to find some in the Classifieds.

Good luck.

If you want the best sound on a limited budget, go 2-channel for both audio and video. Less channels=less cost to do well and keep it that way.

Downside is you loose all those cool surround effects in movies if those matter.

I retain a 2 channel only A/V system for very modest cost that has top notch sound. Surround has never swayed me.

You do need a very good and beefy matching amp for those speakers.

Or, if you use a sub, you can probably get by with a less beefy amp power-wise if set up properly. Many recommend using a sub even with really good full range speakers for A/V systems. I use one with a pair of good monitors and a powered sub currently. You can get by with a lower power amp this way. It still needs to be a good amp though. Classe amps are a very good recommendation. Anthems are good as well from what I read and hear.

Take a look at a Rotel's RMB 1095, or the RB 1090 to add to your Denon, to name a couple of choices to look at.

Its very difficult situation, indeed. I am afraid that buying multichannel amplifier not at the level of your 802D will be waste of your money only.

I own 802D but I never use surround system for the reasons somebody else stated (sonically better invest the given budget into the 2-channel then 5-channel)

If you can sell your central and rear speakers and your current amplifier then for this money "plus" look for used Classe, McIntosh, Spectron (I have it), BAT, Plinius.

Best Of Luck!