3 Channel Setup - B&W Nautilus - Which Amp??

[fmzip]

Looking for suggestions for an amp to drive my B&W Nautilus 803's and HTM1 center channel. Budget $5K max

Can the MC205 be bridged for the fronts?

[oneofew]

I have the exact same speakers for the front + 805Ns for the surround all powered by an older Mc206 and a Lexicon MC-12 pre. I've always felt that MC206 is hardly enough to drive them to their potential.
I don't know if a MC205 can be bridged, but if your preamp allows, you can certainly biamp the 803s in a 3 channel setup.

[fmzip]

Originally Posted by oneofew

I have the exact same speakers for the front + 805Ns for the surround all powered by an older Mc206 and a Lexicon MC-12 pre. I've always felt that MC206 is hardly enough to drive them to their potential.
I don't know if a MC205 can be bridged, but if your preamp allows, you can certainly biamp the 803s in a 3 channel setup.

Thanks for the insight. My current processer is a McIntosh MX150. According to what Kal Rubinson wrote here, the aux out of the MX150 allows for biamping. This is all a bit greek to me but I assume I send full signal from the MX150 and let the 803 handle the crossover. Is that correct? So maybe I'd have better results with an MC205?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...ound-46-page-3

I have Emotiva XPA1-L monoblocks for all three fronts. They've served me well but I do agree, some high end power may likely make these speakers shine that much more

My other thought was simply to get a nice 2 channel amp. I really only use 3 channel for everyday television, not critical listening. Not much into movies. Although I have to say, this processor makes three channel music listening really nice. Having mismatched amps might sound odd.

Just like you, I'd rather not go sideways and continue chasing my tail. Are we really saying, bite the bullet and simply get three MC501's??

[oneofew]

Honestly my original criticism regarding powering my 803s with the MC206 was more towards 2cnl listening. For my day to day TV and movies MC206 has been plenty.

Yes it's correct, remove the jumpers on the 803, Looks like MX150 is flexible enough to support biambing.

[fmzip]

Made a decision today. Proper amplification for the two main speakers is most important to me so I pulled the trigger on an MC312.

Said to self, it's a lifetime purchase piece. Just do it and be done with it

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by fmzip

My current processer is a McIntosh MX150. According to what Kal Rubinson wrote here, the aux out of the MX150 allows for biamping.

That's what I was told but, note please, that there are no instructions for doing this in the manual.

This is all a bit greek to me but I assume I send full signal from the MX150 and let the 803 handle the crossover. Is that correct?

Certainly, the starting option before considering the above.