Best Amp for B&W 802D3

[Audiolab800]

I'm in search for a good power amplifier to power my 802D3 speakers. I'm streaming music using USB to my DAC (Topping DX9) and powering some amplifiers...
Via pre-out -> Fosi V3 mono (with unexpected good results)
Via fixed-out -> Accuphase E-470 | Primaluna Prologue Premium

What I'm looking for is a power amplifier driving the speakers very well even on low volumes, ik like tight strong low and fluid midrange with some sparkle at the top but not too much
I was looking for class A amplifiers of maybe good class D (or GanFed)...

Some experiences and or recommendations?

THX in advance

KInd Regards

 

[Head_Unit]

802D3

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-802-d3-diamond-loudspeaker-measurements shows these are of somewhat low impedance yet higher than average sensitivity. What amp you need really depends on how loud you want to play them. I do NOT believe in some amps sounding better on low volume, I believe that's about the room response vs human insensitivity to bass frequencies, best solved with something like Yamaha's intelligent variable loudness (which they don't put on all products, boo). A friend had the problem of not good at low volume, we blamed the Japanese speakers I gave him free. Actually it was a 50-130 Hz huge -10 dB hole in his frequency response, serendipitously unfortunate speaker positioning.
http://buckeyeamp.com is maybe king of dollar per watt, and for GaNFET read here https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/starkrimson-25-mono-premium-amplifer-tour.1224830/

While I don't think those speakers need any particular ton of power for usual listening, if you have the funds more power will really let them blast. The 4Ω or even 2Ω power ratings are the important ones for comparison, there really aren't "8Ω" speakers any more, they are all lying due to fear of not being purchased to use with AVRs or something (with a few exceptions like DeVore)

 

[voodooless]

What’s wrong with the amps you have?

Amps have no sound. Another amp will not do anything for you. If you’re after changing the sound, use EQ or get different speakers. Especially for low volume listening EQ is very useful to shape the sound profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

 

[Digital_Thor]

I helped a friend with his B&W 800... Never version with two 10" woofers. It was a tough load, and we didn't get it to sound right, before we powered it by a lot of power from an amp that did not care about low impedances.
But try and borrow a bigger amplifier and let someone else swap it, and level check it, while you leave the room, to see if you notice a difference. Sighted... Well, your going to be biased

 

[Audiolab800]

What’s wrong with the amps you have?

Amps have no sound. Another amp will not do anything for you. If you’re after changing the sound, use EQ or get different speakers. Especially for low volume listening EQ is very useful to shape the sound profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

There is nothing wrong with the amplifiers I have, just chasing for better sound...Always searching for better sound, I'm also investing in some acoustic treatment in the room.
When I visit the Audio store and hear some Class A powering the same speakers I always think it is sounding better, probably the room and expectation bias.
That is the reason I ask the question in this forum, good advice is always welcome (I don't believe in expensive cables so don't bother that)

 

[Audiolab800]

I helped a friend with his B&W 800... Never version with two 10" woofers. It was a tough load, and we didn't get it to sound right, before we powered it by a lot of power from an amp that did not care about low impedances.
But try and borrow a bigger amplifier and let someone else swap it, and level check it, while you leave the room, to see if you notice a difference. Sighted... Well, your going to be biased

So an amp which can deliver current should be the way to go, I will try to get a demo amp at my place THX

 

[voodooless]

just chasing for better sound...Always searching for better sound

Stop buying amps, they won’t bring better sound. Louder maybe, not better. And since your focus is lower level listening, you’ll probably don’t need more power anyway.

I'm also investing in some acoustic treatment in the room.

This is a much more sensible upgrade. Pair this with some room correction, and you have a big potential for improvement.

 

[Audiolab800]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-wilkins-802-d3-diamond-loudspeaker-measurements shows these are of somewhat low impedance yet higher than average sensitivity. What amp you need really depends on how loud you want to play them. I do NOT believe in some amps sounding better on low volume, I believe that's about the room response vs human insensitivity to bass frequencies, best solved with something like Yamaha's intelligent variable loudness (which they don't put on all products, boo). A friend had the problem of not good at low volume, we blamed the Japanese speakers I gave him free. Actually it was a 50-130 Hz huge -10 dB hole in his frequency response, serendipitously unfortunate speaker positioning.
http://buckeyeamp.com is maybe king of dollar per watt, and for GaNFET read here https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/starkrimson-25-mono-premium-amplifer-tour.1224830/

While I don't think those speakers need any particular ton of power for usual listening, if you have the funds more power will really let them blast. The 4Ω or even 2Ω power ratings are the important ones for comparison, there really aren't "8Ω" speakers any more, they are all lying due to fear of not being purchased to use with AVRs or something (with a few exceptions like DeVore)

Well... I heard a NAD M23 powering a B&W 800 speaker and it sounded good at reasonable levels but at low levels I was missing some low-end. After swapping that amp with an Accuphase A-48S I thought I heard better low end at lower volumes, could be bias and could be not the samen volume, my audio memory is very limited in time

 

[Audiolab800]

Stop buying amps, they won’t bring better sound. Louder maybe, not better. And since your focus is lower level listening, you’ll probably don’t need more power anyway.


This is a much more sensible upgrade. Pair this with some room correction, and you have a big potential for improvement.

Also measuring with REW and building FIR filters (20 - 300Hz) for CamillaDSP and that is indeed working well... But it's a hobby and we keep on seeking for improvements

 

[voodooless]

my audio memory is very limited in time

Everybody’s is Good that you recognize that your experience is unreliable.

I already linked the equal loudness curves. It also means that we experience the sound balance differently at different volumes. So that means that if the volumes are not matched exactly, this sound balance difference will trump any difference any amp might bring. It is also why you lack bass when playing at lower volume.

 

[Digital_Thor]

So an amp which can deliver current should be the way to go, I will try to get a demo amp at my place THX

It's a little more tricky than that I'm afraid.
Definitely follow Voodooless' advice regarding not 'cheating' yourself. And further, the amplifier I used, was 1400W continuous in 4 ohm, with a triple driver stage and power enveloping(class H). It literally melt the voice coil of most drivers if your not careful.
If using EQ, be avare that you measure properly, since that can easily be a deep rabbit hole.
Also bare in mind, that all B&W speakers from the last 25 years, have a quite broad a deep dip in the upper midrange and lower tweeter. Often between 1-4 kHz. Not always seen at one angle, but rather as a dip in the whole horizontal plane - part of the power response.
Definitely EQ your room mode.... It'll change the entire speaker quite a bit.

 

[Mort]

I would get a MiniDSP Flex RCA or XLR. It's a very high performing DAC with PEQ and the option for DIRAC. DSP is going to make a world of difference, much more than a new amp.

 

[HalSF]

I'm in search for a good power amplifier to power my 802D3 speakers. I'm streaming music using USB to my DAC (Topping DX9) and powering some amplifiers...
Via pre-out -> Fosi V3 mono (with unexpected good results)…

I recently sort of took the route you’re planning in reverse, replacing the quite powerful Musical Fidelity A/B integrated that served me well for 25 years with a Fosi ZA3 stereo amp, cousin to your mono Fosi V3. My speakers, the MoFi SourcePoint 8, are roughly in the same specs ballpark as your B&Ws.

Unexpected good results is right! The Fosi amp (together with the superb Schiit Saga 2 preamp) easily matches the perceived performance, volume, and sound quality with my old Musical Fidelity. I’m currently feeling cured of any itch to pursue the idea of fancier pricier amplification as a path to “upgrading.”

 

[Digital_Thor]

Those speakers are definitely not comparable.

 

[dualazmak]

Accuphase C-3900S + two (or four) of Accuphase A-300

 

[Everett T]

If your amps can handle the low impedance and phase angle in the lower powerband, then you're fine. If they can't handle the 2 ohms @80hz then look for ones that can. I've known someone that drove them with an AVR, FWIW, it's relative to your volume and listening distance.

 

[jmdesignz2]

I'm in search for a good power amplifier to power my 802D3 speakers. I'm streaming music using USB to my DAC (Topping DX9) and powering some amplifiers...
Via pre-out -> Fosi V3 mono (with unexpected good results)
Via fixed-out -> Accuphase E-470 | Primaluna Prologue Premium

What I'm looking for is a power amplifier driving the speakers very well even on low volumes, ik like tight strong low and fluid midrange with some sparkle at the top but not too much
I was looking for class A amplifiers of maybe good class D (or GanFed)...

Some experiences and or recommendations?

THX in advance

KInd Regards

Would strongly suggest a high voltage output preamp and a corner bass trap particularly had the highest ROI for my system

Corner bass trap particularly was such high ROI. I have no desire for any additional subs

 

[Audiolab800]

What’s wrong with the amps you have?

Amps have no sound. Another amp will not do anything for you. If you’re after changing the sound, use EQ or get different speakers. Especially for low volume listening EQ is very useful to shape the sound profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

Not always the case, I hear clear difference between my Accuphase and my PrimaLuna amplifiers, the latter being a valve amp.

 

[voodooless]

Not always the case, I hear clear difference between my Accuphase and my PrimaLuna amplifiers, the latter being a valve amp.

That might very well be possible. The amp will probably have a high output impedance, which is likely audible. It may also have high distortion, possibly audible as well. If you like that, go for it! I would consider such a device as a kind of EQ device. That should not be the function of an amp

As for high performance amps within their respective power envelope, that is a different story. The differences are orders of magnitude smaller and quickly fall below audible levels.

 

[Svend P]

Have you thought about getting a measurement microphone and an amplifier with room correction?

The measurements of the 803D by Stereophile shows a less than ideal frequency response.