The evolution of the Nautilus line?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Freddie..... Posts 62 and 65 are both indeed related to the great Nautilus speakers depicted in your photo. The original post, on the other hand, was based on the B&W 80XN loud speakers that were manufactured between 1998 and 2004. I realize that they don't have a whole lot in common with the actual "Nautilus" loud speakers, but they had the word printed all over the boxes they came out for the factory in, regardless...and they're still being enjoyed by folks like us.

Bill, Did you buy from Wilson Audio in Metairie?

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

When the word "Nautilus" has been thrown around here I kept thinking it was this one:

The original godfather.

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by obiwankenobi

What's the main difference between 802D3 and 800D3? I thought the latter is supposed to be an "upgrade"?

I believe, if the room was not the limiting factor, that the 800D3 is better.
I listened to both in a 18x24' room and I found the 800D3 to have a more realistic and even presentation. I found the treble to be actually better integrated on the 800D3 IIRC.

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

I realize that they don't have a whole lot in common with the actual "Nautilus" loud speakers

Visually this may be true, but, all "post Nautilus (the original)" 800 Series loudspeakers inherited essential technology originally developed for the Nautilus.

For more detailed information:
https://www.stereophile.com/floorlou...207/index.html

B&W also published white papers:
801 Nautilus: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...bEBc3cnf3tsegv
800 Signature: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8QgVAxkQO1acA1
800 D: https://www.bwgroupsupport.com/reference (look for "800 D White Paper PDF")

800 D3: A good overview of all technical innovations (only in German) can be found here: https://www.lowbeats.de/neue-bw-800-...en-neuerungen/

Martin

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by meltemi

Visually this may be true, but, all "post Nautilus (the original)" 800 Series loudspeakers inherited essential technology originally developed for the Nautilus.

For more detailed information:
https://www.stereophile.com/floorlou...207/index.html

B&W also published white papers:
801 Nautilus: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...bEBc3cnf3tsegv
800 Signature: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8QgVAxkQO1acA1
800 D: https://www.bwgroupsupport.com/reference (look for "800 D White Paper PDF")

800 D3: A good overview of all technical innovations (only in German) can be found here: https://www.lowbeats.de/neue-bw-800-...en-neuerungen/

Martin

Thanks for posting, Martin, but I realize that the internal technology in the 80XN speakers is based on the results obtained from the original Nautilus "shell" loudspeaker, but I was, as you surmised in your first sentence, referring to the outer design...and, needless to say, one looks like a nautilus shell, while the other looks [somewhat] like a conventional loudspeaker in a wooden case.

Regardless, I've had the great pleasure of listening to a pair of $60K Nautilus loudspeakers and they were, without a doubt, among the finest sounding speakers that these ears have ever heard.

[SomeGeoffGuy]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Hi Geoff..... I'm not really a AAF veteran, by any means, but I believe that private messaging comes with a subscription to the forum. I have made several friends here who've helped me quite a bit with our goal to establish our first McIntosh-based A/V room. Other than the B&W 800 D3s you want, I'm not sure whether or not you have certain goals in mind, but, if you do, you will probably find some pretty solid advice here on the AAF.

By the way, I grew up with a Geoff. Where are you from?

I think the big B&W system is within reach for me someday - it had MC611's and a C2600. I figure I can upgrade to those first one at a time then I just need to justify the speakers. The bigger problem is getting the wife to agree that we should sell my ~$8k system (much was bought used except for speakers) and get a $35k system (used). Also, my living room is big (29 x 17), but the 800D3 is probably still too much speaker, since the wife wants them in the center of the long wall around the fireplace. I enjoy reading and talking about this stuff for now, though, so maybe I will subscribe at some point!

Born and raised in Grand Rapids Michigan. Live in metro Detroit now since University.

-Geoff

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Bill, Did you buy from Wilson Audio in Metairie?

Yes, Freddie, Wilson Audio was our local B&W dealer. In fact, their sound room is where we heard a pair of B&W 802Ns for the first time...and they sounded superb. Which part of NOLA are you from?

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by SomeGeoffGuy

I think the big B&W system is within reach for me someday - it had MC611's and a C2600. I figure I can upgrade to those first one at a time then I just need to justify the speakers. The bigger problem is getting the wife to agree that we should sell my ~$8k system (much was bought used except for speakers) and get a $35k system (used). Also, my living room is big (29 x 17), but the 800D3 is probably still too much speaker, since the wife wants them in the center of the long wall around the fireplace. I enjoy reading and talking about this stuff for now, though, so maybe I will subscribe at some point!

Born and raised in Grand Rapids Michigan. Live in metro Detroit now since University.

-Geoff

My dear departed Dad was from Livonia, Geoff, so I've spent some time in your part of the world. In fact, my uncle owned a "bump shop" in the city itself, so I've spent some time there, too. Most of his folks live in/around Lake Orion now, though. I have fond memories of that place, as well, including a dive to salvage a pier that was destroyed by the winter ice on the lake.

I know that you're in love with the 800D3s, but I wanted to ask you about what you have now. My first experience with Mac was listening to a MAC4100 back in the late 70s. It sounded so damn good that it was my first Mac purchase. We still own that receiver and, subsequently, purchased a MAC4200. In fact, we still own both receivers, but we've never heard the MAC6700 you have in your signature listing. Based on what I just read in the compendium, it seems like a pretty nice receiver. We've since gone to separates, but I've still got a set spot in my heart for those Mac receivers.

Would you mind passing on some thoughts about the MAC6700?

I'm thinking that it probably sounds pretty sweet when used in conjunction with your Oppo 205.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Yes, Freddie, Wilson Audio was our local B&W dealer. In fact, their sound room is where we heard a pair of B&W 802Ns for the first time...and they sounded superb. Which part of NOLA are you from?

Been living up in Covington for years. I bought my Maggie 1.7's from Doug Wilson. Sold them when I ran across the Canton's. His shop was really invested in Audio Research gear. Didn't have too many kind things to say about McIntosh for whatever reason. Doug's been retired for a while now. Sold the business to his protege' who's also named Doug. LOL.

What part of the area are you living in?

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Been living up in Covington for years. I bought my Maggie 1.7's from Doug Wilson. Sold them when I ran across the Canton's. His shop was really invested in Audio Research gear. Didn't have too many kind things to say about McIntosh for whatever reason. Doug's been retired for a while now. Sold the business to his protege' who's also named Doug. LOL.

What part of the area are you living in?

It's kind of hard to know where to begin, Freddie, but I'll do my best. I'm a native deep southerner who took a formal radiac course in NOLA back around 1997. As we immediately fell in love with the "wildness" of the place, we immediately started talking about moving there and, eventually, found suitable work in the NOLA area at the turn of the century. We lived in Harvey first and, about a year later, we found a nice big place in Gretna. Unfortunately, storm Katie blew us -- and some of our family members -- out of NOLA. We ended up in my wife's home area, the Berkshires of western Mass, and our family (from the Violet area) ended up near you, north of Lake P. I don't really like to dwell on bad times, but we do miss the mecca of fine food. I've been all over the world, and there's no place I've been to that beats NOLA for food, period.

I'm surprised that Monsieur Wilson had a poor opinion of Mac...because, if I remember correctly, he auditioned the 802Ns we ended up with via a Mac amp.

And now that we're discussing Mac, how do you like that 300W integrated monster you own? Based on what I just read in the Mac compendium, that MA8000 looks like the real deal, for sure...but I have to admit to being a sucker for 300W Mac amps with autoformer outs. In my experience, we've found that heavy is synonymous with great sounding...and, quite honestly, I'm very jealous.

ADDENDUM: I don't know the first thing about them, but those Cantons you have also look like real monsters.