Amp to Add Dynamics & Detail to 'Polite' Speakers

Scott you might try some different cabling for speakers. I have the Satori (shotgun bi wire) as well and it leans to the more polite/recessed I would say. And I would also say it bumps the mid bass a bit. But it works great with the class D amps if that's the route you go.

You don't state specifically what amp you're using right now, but I assume it's either the VAC or Atma-sphere. Regardless, driving B&W speakers with tube amps seems like an uphill battle and may be part of the problem given that the rest of your system seems pretty darn neutral. That said, you don't specify if you're using a passive or active Placette preamp, and I'm not sure if there could be a possible problem there especially if you're using a passive model and how that may be interacting with your amp. Just throwin' crap out there, but driving B&Ws with tubes still just seems like a tough road given what you're looking for. I had the Rogue Medusa in my system for a while and that might be a great fit given what I heard and what you're looking for, again if it works with your preamp. Best of luck.

Well i suppose everything is relative. I'm coming from a pair of Wilson speakers and don't find the B&W speakers to be as dynamic and lively.

AC is via 4 dedicated circuits and a running springs conditioner (amps are direct to the wall).

The placette preamp I'm using is the passive version with no compatibility issues in my system that I can tell. I was honestly skeptical at first, but Guy at Placette assured me I wouldn't have any issues given the rest of my system. So I gave it a try and was VERY impressed. It replaced a $5k active preamp.

I heard a Moscode 600 wake up a pair of Von Schwiekert speakers to an extent I did not think possible.

Some people have reported a similar impression w a passive pre-amp. Lots of detail and very transparent but lacking a little something. FWIW,I've heard 802ds driven by Doshi-modified Lectron JH-50 (2 6CA7s a side) and I would not call them polite or laid back at all.