B&W 802D3 Owners Club

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

10 Posts

Well thank you ! (+1)

[4music]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

I'm new to AA and still cant create a new post. I've made several reply posts, and am wondering how many I have to make before I'm fully approved. Anyone know ?

Anyways, I've had a pair of 802 Nautilus since 1999 driven by a Mac MC 352. I've upgraded my pre to a Moon 740P and am now considering upgrading my 802s to 802D3s. I'm a B&W fan and have 803s in my home theater as well as a B&W center and rears. I have a few concerns regarding the 803D3s:

1) I'd like to use the MC352 until its last breath and I'm wondering if it will sufficiently drive the 802D3s ? I'll probably replace it with an MC452 or the Bryston 4B3 when the time comes. I don't have space for monos.

2) My living room is large, 24'x24' with pitched roof ceiling from 10' to 20' high. I have no wiggle room for speaker placement other than toe in. How forgiving are the D3s with respect to placement ? Room treatments are also not in the cards.

3) One of the speakers will be 20' from the amp, so there is no way I'll be able to afford audiophile cables. How big of an issue will this be ?

I'm not at all unhappy with the 802Ns, I'm just ready to upgrade. I can get an in home demo from my dealer, but don't want to waste their time for a speaker that might be inappropriate or that isn't going to deliver a substantial improvement. What do you think ?
Thanks !

Hi mintakaX

1) MC352 can easily drive the 802D3
2) The speakers are sensitive to proper placing in order to get the best out of them
3) They will inform you about every change you make regarding cable

Home trial is best option for you

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by 4music

Hi mintakaX

1) MC352 can easily drive the 802D3
2) The speakers are sensitive to proper placing in order to get the best out of them
3) They will inform you about every change you make regarding cable

Home trial is best option for you

Thanks for your answers. Proper placing is the issue I am most concerned about. I'm afraid the aesthetics and balance of our living room are pretty unforgiving of speaker placement.
Are there any higher end brands that are less sensitive to placement ?

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

Thanks for your answers. Proper placing is the issue I am most concerned about. I'm afraid the aesthetics and balance of our living room are pretty unforgiving of speaker placement.
Are there any higher end brands that are less sensitive to placement ?

One thought thread that keeps coming up for me is if I like the sound of my N802s then replacing them exactly with 802 D3s seems like an appropriate upgrade. But that really depends on how much N802 DNA is present in the 802 D3s ? At any rate the issue will be resolved when I have the home audition. I'm fortunate that I can do that.

[miner]

Originally Posted by Mayoradamwest

Has anyone tried Isoacoustics Gaia I on their 802 D3s? Do you need the D3 mounting plates? My 805D3s don't have any mounting affordances on the bottom. 802 D3s haven't arrived yet.

The 805D3 stands should have mounting holes for their spikes/rubber feet

[GBP]

Originally Posted by mintakaX

One thought thread that keeps coming up for me is if I like the sound of my N802s then replacing them exactly with 802 D3s seems like an appropriate upgrade. But that really depends on how much N802 DNA is present in the 802 D3s ? At any rate the issue will be resolved when I have the home audition. I'm fortunate that I can do that.

I've done that. Upgraded from N802 to 802D3.
How to describe that... Hmmm... EVERYTHING is better with the D3.
One of the best buys this year. Together with the DB2D and the Audioquest Fire (connection between Pre and Amp, hell of a cable).

[mintakaX]

Originally Posted by GBP

I've done that. Upgraded from N802 to 802D3.
How to describe that... Hmmm... EVERYTHING is better with the D3.
One of the best buys this year. Together with the DB2D and the Audioquest Fire (connection between Pre and Amp, hell of a cable).

Thanks for your report. I'm looking forward to the home audition, should be in a week or two. As for the AQ Fire ... wow ... I thought I was splurging when I went with the AQ water . Some day I'll have to experiment with the high end interconnects.

[GBP]

For a long time i had the Fadel Art Aerolink. It's with silver, but behaves like nice copper.
Then i auditioned the AQ Earth. A bit more clearer, that's it. With the Fire, the Audiochain did do a big step forward. Everythings clearer. More bass, more everything. It's expensive, yes, but will last forever...
Then did the step to the AQ Oak (coming from Fadel Art The Stream Duo) and tried the AQ Redwood. The same happened as with Earth and Fire. Will save my money now to upgrade within this year as my dealer offered that to me.

If you live in the States - great. The market for used gear is remarkable bigger than ours...

[mintakaX]

I am now a proud member ! Cant wait to get them the house. Looks like 2 weeks or less.

[tonycurran1]

My pair are 3 weeks old and are sounding great driven by Mark Levinson 536 monos.