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Amplifiers for B&W 801 D4s
I am toying with the idea of changing up the amplifiers between my c1100 and my 801s. A few questions, in terms of power and spec match:
- Are the MC611s the optimal sweetspot match for these speakers? - Would the new 3500s be ‘enough’ power and headroom for these speakers? - Would 1.2KWs be ‘too much’ power for these speakers? - Are there any risks of clipping or blowing out speakers with ANY of the above? Thanks! Last edited by ufguy73; 01-17-2024 at 06:36 PM. |
#2
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Early on I had N804 with a MC252. Never clipped or under drove them. 611 will be a fine pairing.
Sorry, I initially thought I saw 804D4. Ignore my comment
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“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” Last edited by miner; 01-18-2024 at 06:58 PM. Reason: Added reasoning for mistake |
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801D4s love power. Both the MC611s & 1.2KWs should have no problems powering the 801s though I've often seen more 801s paired with MC1.2/1.25KWs.
Have not heard the MC3500, hopefully AA owners will chime in with feedback.
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Main System: Sf Amati Tradition, B&W DB1 sub, McIntosh C2300, MC501s, MA12000, MCD500, HiFi Rose RS150B, Oppo 105, Niagara 5000, AQ Tornado/Thunder/Blizzard PCs, Robin Hood BiWire (zero+bass), Gibraltar SCs, Water ICs, Cinnamon RJ/E, Solidsteel HF-3 racks. 2nd System: Sf Cremona Auditor M, McIntosh C50, MC275(VI), MA6600, Node 2i, Oppo 95, AQ NRG-4 PCs, Robin Hood Zero SC, Cobra/Nordost Heimdall ICs. |
#4
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Quote:
Now as to the 3500's. They are better amps than the 1.25KW's but they are also less reliable. They drive my XVX easily off the 4 ohm taps so for your 801's, they will do a superb job off the 8 ohm tap. In fact I would say that they would be absolutely perfect for your speakers. The 10% rule does not apply to them and you will have 400-500 watts available to you. With a sensitivity of 90 for the D4's this is more than enough power. IMO, they are the best and most powerful tube amps on the market. I would not trade them even for any other tube amp on the market and I am aware of all the tube amps. The bass they produce is incredible. There's nothing romantic about these amps. But their midrange and treble are very liquid detailed and extended. Coupled with the bass they produce, I've never heard anything like them, and the XVX requires massive current although its sensitivity is over 92 dB. Typically listening to jazz or just popular music they require no more than 3.5-35 watts but for live concerts or roller skating music, the sky is the limit with the XVX. I can't think of a better match for your D4's than a 3500. My preference for the 3500 over the 1.25KW is not a knock against the 1.25KW. There's no solid state amp on the market that I would swap for a 3500. The 1.25KW is a superb solid state power amplifier. BTW, I'm going to be trading in my 1.25KW's. I have two that have just been setting there silent flanking my 3500's for over a year. Let me know if you are interested. They are in mint condition, untouched and unmoved by human hands, except the knobs, of course. Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable; digital coaxial cable; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords); Thunder HC power cord Cables subwoofer system: AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000 (1); Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 01-18-2024 at 01:01 PM. |
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Appreciate the thoughts!
and Charles - I will let you know if end up going down the 1.25KW route....there is a great allure/appeal to the 3500, however, and I feel like that may be what I REALLY want! On a separate topic, I am also hugely tempted by the MCD12000 as a spinner and DAC...the c1200 is quite nice, also, but I am not feeling the upgrade pull on that as much over my current c1100 preamp! What I also need to decide is whether to try and pull the trigger on anything in the 75th anniversary form. I know the products are no different than the non-anniversary but there is irrational temptation on that front too lol Last edited by ufguy73; 01-23-2024 at 11:21 AM. |
#6
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I would actually prefer your C-1100 over the C-12000 for myself. Are you into vinyl? The phono Stage for the C-12000 is significantly improved over the C-1100. I'm not into vinyl and never will be. I think that the main difference between the C-1100 and C-12000 is the phono stage and the greatly improved flexibility being able to choose between solid state and tube. The C-12000 is a true bargain if you have the money. Look up the review of the C-12000 in the recent Stereophile. The measured performance is amazing. JA calls it among the best that he has ever measured. It received an A+ in every category and I suspect the MCD12000 would, if reviewed receive the same measured performance. I want gear that measures well and sounds good too. I want gear that meets its published specifications. The more expensive the gear, the more lousy it measures, usually. Typical examples of this are expensive tube amplifiers that don't come close to meeting their wattage specs. I won't name names. The MC3500 is guaranteed to meet all its published specs and I understand that it will do 500 watts. It has a S/N ration of 120 dB and distortion of less than .3%. And the Mac tube sound is beyond compare. All this for 30K. I love mine. I think that you are on the absolute right track. I would go with the 3500/MCD12000/C-12000. Your B&W's are keepers. I almost never buy used gear but if you do decide to pull the trigger I might be interested in your C-1100. Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable; digital coaxial cable; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords); Thunder HC power cord Cables subwoofer system: AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000 (1); Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 01-24-2024 at 12:38 PM. |
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I researching the topic via old posts...this is what has me nervous about going beyond the 611s..
from member mweston: "As an owner of a MC602 amp and B&W 801 Nautilus speakers, I can speak from experience that the MC601 mono block amp is more than adequate for your B&W diamond speakers. The 800 Diamond is rated at 1000 watts peak while the 601 can deliver peaks of up to 2400 watts. I would not recommend the MC1.2KW on the grounds of too much power-like ripped cones, and fried tweeters and crossovers. I came to this conclusion after consulting Chuck Hinton at Mcintosh and B&W tech support. Soundwise it is superb and I have a tendency to play it at louder levels because it sounds better." any additional thoughts on this perspective? |
#8
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For the first time since having my MC601 the Power Guard flashed a couple times the other day when listing to Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath. Obviously I turned it down ......... just a smidge.
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Doug 2-Channel McIntosh C2700, (2X)MC601, MEN220 Lampizator Baltic 3 Sonore opticalRendu, SGC sonicTransporter i5 (Gen 3), Roon Thorens TT TD318 B&W 803D3 JL Audio (2x)f110v2 Shunyata Denali/S v2, Alpha v2 PCs, WW Gold/Silver Eclipse Interconnects, Platinum USB Whole House Music Listening Bluesound Vault2i, PowerNode2, PulseMini2i, Pulse2, (3x)Flex 5.2 System Above using Passthru Marantz SR7012 Oppo 205, Apple TV (4th gen), Sony XBR850e65 B&W HTM2 D3 Second 5.1 System Castoffs from Upgrades LRC Paradigm Millenia 20, Velodyne MiniVee 10, KEF surrounds, DefTech AW6500 |
#9
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Quote:
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable; digital coaxial cable; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords); Thunder HC power cord Cables subwoofer system: AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000 (1); Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 02-05-2024 at 04:27 PM. |
#10
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I need to clarify that I run my XVX full range. My Thor is run independently of my XVX LP only 30 Hz.
Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable; digital coaxial cable; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords); Thunder HC power cord Cables subwoofer system: AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000 (1); Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes |
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