used amp or amps for B&W 801's in home theater

You may want to clarify which 801 model you are talking about. I think there have been at least three: Matrix 801, 801 Nautilus, and 801D. In any event, if you are thinking of tube amplification, don't. For any 801, you'll be better served with solid state. You are not going to want to skimp on power. Probably the more power, the better. As for brand, conventional wisdom is that B&W speakers sound best with Classe or McIntosh amps. But I am sure there are other good possibilities. For example, I use a Musical Fidelity M6PRX (which is a 2 channel amp) with my 804 Diamonds, and it's a very satisfying match. Since the headline in your post indicates home theater, you may also want to clarify how may channels you need to amplify.

clarification... 801 nautilus, the first series after the matrix.. i was just thinking about amping the 801's and use my receiver for the center and rears. volume should remain the same if i just amp the fronts.correct? or if i just amp the fronts will they over power the rest of the system?

Gz3827

"For any 801, you'll be better served with solid state."

Not totally true. The 801F sounded amazing with an Audio Research D-79B.

"Probably the more power, the better."

Again not totally true. The best I have heard 801s was with 100 watt Class A monos in a very large room.

home theater please not two channel.

Being just a 2 channel fellow without any real HT experience, I don't know the answer to your question about the volume implication of using your a/v receiver to power your center and rears while using a separate power amp for the fronts. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that. Going back to your original post, you may find some other good amp ideas by searching out old online reviews on the 801 Nautilus as reviewers often include commentary amplifier matching. Best of luck!