802/803D3 owners - what amplification/upstreams?

[cmusic]

Exsg
I have the 803d3 paired with parasound p5 and A21. The parasound combo sounds great and very hard to beat for the money. I have been thinking of upgrading to mcintosh since I got the speakers. The 804d3 was the my goal but ended up with the 803d3. I auditioned the 803d3 with a Mcintosh c25 and MC452 recently and it was amazing. The MC452 just controlled the speakers to perfection. Incredible clarity and great bass. B&W's need lots good power to shine, I think. When I hooked up my prior 804N to the Parasound they changed completely, then I became a biliever in adequate amplification. If you are going to upgrade the speakers ultimately, then I think you're on the right path. Just an opinion.

[tractng]

Originally Posted by cmusic

Exsg
I have the 803d3 paired with parasound p5 and A21. The parasound combo sounds great and very hard to beat for the money. I have been thinking of upgrading to mcintosh since I got the speakers. The 804d3 was the my goal but ended up with the 803d3. I auditioned the 803d3 with a Mcintosh c25 and MC452 recently and it was amazing. The MC452 just controlled the speakers to perfection. Incredible clarity and great bass. B&W's need lots good power to shine, I think. When I hooked up my prior 804N to the Parasound they changed completely, then I became a biliever in adequate amplification. If you are going to upgrade the speakers ultimately, then I think you're on the right path. Just an opinion.

Same here regarding the 804 (I ordered it but called the dealer the next day to change to the 803). I am glad I did. I love the turbine head and of course the sound.

I had the A21/P5 combo powering the KEF LS50 before. Recently bought the Halo to get me through temporarily with the 803 but after hearing the McIntosh gears, I just couldn't wait and gave into the the MC452/C2600. The combo is amazing.

[Exsg]

I took the plunge today and bought the 601s and c2500 with the updated firmware. Haven't heard this combo.

Looking forward to seeing them and hearing them together with the cm9s.

Perhaps another year or two, will move to 803d3 if possible.

[diononiz]

I have the Mcintosh MC302 paired with a C2500 and B&W 804D3. I am really enjoying the trio together.

[Exsg]

Originally Posted by diononiz

I have the Mcintosh MC302 paired with a C2500 and B&W 804D3. I am really enjoying the trio together.

Thanks for sharing.

[rghanbari]

Has anybody tried the Benchmark ABH2 amp with the 802d3's? I have a Classe 2300 driving mine right now, and was thinking of dropping a Benchmark in for the speed and low noise floor (seems like the d3 series would realy shine with that type of amp, but who knows how well it can drive rest of the beasts)

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by rghanbari

Has anybody tried the Benchmark ABH2 amp with the 802d3's? I have a Classe 2300 driving mine right now, and was thinking of dropping a Benchmark in for the speed and low noise floor (seems like the d3 series would realy shine with that type of amp, but who knows how well it can drive rest of the beasts)

You may want to get the opinion of Kal as he had tested this amp for Stereophile with his 800D2 diamonds and really seemed to like it although I do not believe he still is using today.

JA used as his reference amplifiers for quite some time the Classe CT600 monoblocks which have the same circuit topology as the CA2300. He appeared to be quite found of the Classe. This by the way is the same amplifier I have which sounds great with the new 802D3.

Kal also appears to really like the new Classe Sigma Mono Amplifiers that I believe he is using with his 802D3's.

[rghanbari]

Originally Posted by GregGale

You may want to get the opinion of Kal as he had tested this amp for Stereophile with his 800D2 diamonds and really seemed to like it although I do not believe he still is using today.

JA used as his reference amplifiers for quite some time the Classe CT600 monoblocks which have the same circuit topology as the CA2300. He appeared to be quite found of the Classe. This by the way is the same amplifier I have which sounds great with the new 802D3.

Kal also appears to really like the new Classe Sigma Mono Amplifiers that I believe he is using with his 802D3's.

Thanks for the response. I reached out to Kal but he hadn't had a chance to hear the Benchmark and the 802d3 yet, but thought some of the improvements in the 802d3 would be helpful.

Classe is a wonderful match for the 802d3's, but I'm intrigued by Kal's review and the amazing specs of the benchmark. The speed of the Benchmark and the d3 tweeter could be magic together, and it is heartening that the Benchmark could manage the variable load of the 800d2's.

Benchmark is easy enough to mail around that it might be worth taking a leap on this one.

[violinfather]

I just brought home a pair of 803D3's last night. Now to upgrade the amp. I have an old Krell 250/a3 running my front end. Any suggestions on what to use to replace it?

[joey_v]

Originally Posted by violinfather

I just brought home a pair of 803D3's last night. Now to upgrade the amp. I have an old Krell 250/a3 running my front end. Any suggestions on what to use to replace it?

How is it so far?