Amp Set up for 803Ds

[jameslrock]

For my theater I use the MC452 for the front R/L B&W 803 Diamonds and the MC207 for the center HTM2, the four in wall CWM 7.3s and the extra 2 channels for the porch zone B. This set-up works quite well. I have enough power for the fronts in stereo and the total theater package puts out plenty in the 18' x 20' room. Could I use more power for the larger HTM2 center, maybe, but from looking at the MC207 meters I have plenty of headroom at all times for the center and side surrounds. The two rear and the porch are not metered but I am fine there too.

[Rod#S]

Originally Posted by Dreamsystem

Thanks for the time.

I see now that the upgrade to the 803s is gonna cost me.. something I didn't see when I let the urge buy them... jajaja

I see your point on the HTM4, so I am going for the upgrade to the HTM2. Its good that I can return the HTM4 and also two 805s that are bnew and returnable. That will help. . With regards to the versions, all the speakers are the latest versions.

So with the new set up.. 803/HTM2/805

My question now is how many watts for the 803s. They are rated at 600w but I want to spend as little as possible and get optimum results with the power. As I said I have the MC205 with 200w. But from your suggestion I can read that it's not the right amp for these speakers with my listening needs.

The room is large. 15 feet wide x 50 deep x 13 ceiling. and I like my 2ch music and 5ch movies sometimes at high volume. Just got divorced so gonna be partying for a while . This makes me believe I need more power.

I can't go with any mono blocks. Way out of my budget. So that leaves me with these options from McIntosh that I like:

The new MC452 and its older sibling the MC352 (only used). But at one half price of the new version...

Here's my Q: how many watts should I get to drive these speakers. Does the 350w to 450w increase really worth the additional $4K? Same goes for the, should I buy another amp to increase the 200w (my MC205) to 350w or even 450w.

I've read that more power the better, more headroom, etc, and its probably true, but if the difference is only 5% better SQ, and its going to cost me $4K (MC352) or $8K (MC452), then I'll stay with what Ive got.

Read some more on the passive bi-amping, bi-cableing and its mostly a marketing or marginal (if that) increase.

So thanks again for your comments. and appreciate any comments on the power Q.

Dang that's a huge room.

I wouldn't go as far as to say the amp isn't right for the speakers as there are varying factors. Try this, what you should do is check your meters, they will come in handy for the test. As you listen to your system at high volume like you say look to see if your amp is being run to it's limits on the channels especially the channels powering the 803s. If you are not hitting the peaks, especially well under then you are probably fine. If you ever find you are running the amp into clipping definitely add more power as an amp clipping can damage the speakers.

Keep in mind that doubling power only adds a 3db increase in volume so if you are thinking about going up significantly in volume it gets crazy expensive really fast as you have pointed out. I certainly wouldn't pay $4k for only 100 extra watts, but that's me.

If you are not stuck on McIntosh amps and you want a great power/price ratio look at Emotiva, heck the prices are so reasonable you may be able to swing monos but they do make some powerful stereo amps.

As was mentioned in the thread there can be a lot of truth to saying adding more power doesn't affect sound it just makes you happy. If you aren't taxing your amp then adding more power doesn't add much to the equation. This is obviously with respect to amps that perform/sound the same or very similar. You can of course change to an amp that has completely different characteristics like you see a lot of people on these forums discussing SS vs tubes.

[thughes]

I run the 803ds (older version) with MC275s in mono. I have a JL Audio f113 to carry the bass. I have run these speakers with MC252, dual MC501s, and stereo and mono MC275s. I am back to the MC275s because that is the sound I prefer. In mono the MC275s are a conservative 150 watts.

Amp power hasn't been the deciding factor in my choices. The deciding factor is the sound I like. I'd say if you are going to increase power, go for the quad balanced amps, MC452s or MC601s.

Consider adding a subwoofer.

[PMCH]

When I had 803ds, I used a 100w amp, a 200w amp, one MC352, two MC352s and MC601 mono's. With each increase in power I noticed an increase in sound quality especially in the bass. Those speakers love power. I don't listen at loud volumes either, only 6-60 watts. It could be that I prefer the newer sound of the MC601s over the older MC352s and not just the power.

[-E-]

I'll just add more gasoline to this fire...

How set are you on that speaker setup? I ask this as a multi-part question. Which is more important - music or movies? Do you do more listening or watching?

Your amp choices are fine. You could certainly stay with the 205 or 207 to start you off (depending if you are 5-ch or 7-ch, or 5ch + 2 speakers for the other zone), and then perhaps (gasoline addition part) upgrade to the B&W 802. The 802 is a monumental step up from the 803. It would also be a lot easier to re-purpose a multichannel amp later on when you add more amps because you want more power versus replacing speakers.

On another note - why 3 speakers in the second zone?

[piolaxo]

Originally Posted by Dreamsystem

Hello:

Do you have any comments or suggestions with regards to this setup. Any tech no-no's with regards to it? Will having very different watts to each channel affect in any way? (400w LF/RF, 200w Center, 140w Rear…). Also, the different brand of amps, makes me doubt this is a good solution to my problem. Might reduce overall sound quality? I know that it would be best to buy another McIntosh amp, but gotta wait on that one for a while. Wallet is kinda thin right now, been on a shopping spree building this system. jejeje. Also, it might just be best just to use the MC205+B&WDs combo and just power the 803Ds with 200w.

Many thanks, I really appreciate any input.

That is not exactly accurate. You would still drive 200W to the mains
LF/RF channels, 200W to the LF and 200W to the HF, albeit "cleaner".
The MC205 is not bridgable.

[datboiroy]

I currently have a pair of 804 for the fronts, 805 for the rear, HTM2 for the center, and a DB1 for my subwoofer. I'm running a Rotel RMB-1575 and it was powering everything well. I just recently upgraded to the Classe CA-5300. Just need to upgrade the Rotel Processor to the Classe SSP-800 and I should be set to go!

[Dreamsystem]

Thanks everyone for jumping in. Decided on getting a MC452. Found a BNIB for $5K , so couldn't pass on the offer. Will keep my 805Ds that were for the front and use them in a 7.1 ))

I'm looking for a HTM2D to finish off the setup, gotta find a taker for my BNIB HTM4. Once I got everything in place I'll post some pics. Again thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

[Masterlu]

datboiroy... Welcome to AA!