B&W 802D and Marantz good combo ?

[brankow]

Hello,

I went to a store and they made me an offer for the following combo :

2x B&W 802d speakers
Préamp Marantz SC-11S1 (Premium series)
Power Amp Marantz SM-11S1 (Premium series)

Do you think they above speakers fit the 802s which seem difficult to drive..

Personally I like the Marantz sound..

The B&W speakers recommend between 50-500 Watt ampl..

Some claim that less than 200 W per channel at 8 Ohm is not good enough for these speakers.. (why does B&W recommend a minimum of 50 W then ?)

The Marantz deliver 100 W per channel RMS or 130 W DIN or 150 W IHF all at 8 Ohm..

All feedback welcome...

(The Marantz Referenz series are above my budget)

[audioqueso]

Your last sentence is confusing me. The two models you mentioned ARE the Reference Series. Are you saying that you don't want to spend the money on the Reference Series? Are you asking if the Hi-Fi Series or regular AV receivers are a good match for your 802Ds?

Personally... I wouldn't spend the money on Marantz Hi-Fi Component Series if you're using a pair of 802Ds. Not that the Hi-Fi Component Series doesn't sound good, but I don't think it's worth it in your case. I've always liked and have listened to a lot of different Marantz series at the same time... on several occasions. The difference between the Hi-Fi Component Series and their AV receivers is not as big of a difference as the Hi-Fi Series vs the Reference Series. The Hi-Fi and AV receivers have a similar sound. They both have that warm Marantz signature to it. But the Reference Series is just sooooooo sooooooo liquid smooth, so detailed, and so refined.

So what exactly are you asking? Marantz in general, or that combo in particular? And does your last sentences mean you don't want to pay that much???

By the way, I've always listened to them with a pair of 805S or 804S. Never anything higher.

[brankow]

Your last sentence is confusing me. The two models you mentioned ARE the Reference Series.

So what exactly are you asking? Marantz in general, or that combo in particular? And does your last sentences mean you don't want to pay that much???.

Thank you for your anwer !

Terminology may be confusing, as I have the impression that Marantz uses different terminology depending upon location.

The catalog I have in front of me only has one Referenz series, namely the
SC-7S2 Preamp with the SM-9S2 Power Amp..

The models I mentionned are in the same catalog labeled as premium series, but are supposed to be based on the same technology..

The SRP of the Referenz series in Europe is 17.000 Euro
at 300 Watt at 8 Ohm..

As I told them that I find this to much for an amplifier, they have suggested the Premium Series (also part of the Referentz series in the US)

Marantz US

The only thing I am afraid of is the power enough to make the B&W 802 come to life...

Some people claim you have to put 200 Watt per channel amps for these babies...

On the other hand the SC-11S1 and SM-11S1 are supposed to deliver far more current than the Hifi Components.. are elected best amp in the world by EISA and have a SRP of 6.000 (in comparison to the 17.000, that is a huge difference !)

What do you think ?

Thanks again !

[James63]

I think the Marantz would do well. They are very very good and much better than the price would lead you to believe.

I ran my 703s with an old 2240 (vintage marantz reciever from the 70s) a few weeks ago just for kicks. At only 40 watts a channel it was the best the 703s have ever sounded. They were full and rich and kept the detail.

Anyway the new stuff is one of the beter buys out there IMO

[KahunaCanuck]

Marantz is nice stuff, and you could down the road buy another of the amps and run them bridged.

[SoCalCM]

Did you listen to this combo? If so, that should answer your question.

IMO the 802D is a great speaker and can sound very good with almost any amp. But these speakers will reward better and better electronics, with the law of diminishing returns really kicking in at about a $5K stereo amp, such as the favored Classe 2200. I haven't heard the Marantz but based on its spec, it should be able to drive the speakers quite well. Get a nice TT and this combo will having you missing hours of work and staying up late at night immersed in awesome sound.

But if you want to know what is the best amp for these speakers, the Boulder Monoblocks at $80K and you are definitely in the ballpark. Have a nice day.

[r100gs]

The Marantz MA-9S2 looks like a sweet amp. It doubles its power, which is a sign of a good amp. They are spendy and two of them babies will put a large dent in your wallet. I bet they would make some 802's sing. ;x(

[dif]

802ds marantz paired with sa-11 s1 integrated

I have the integrated version of the amp Premium series Marantz SA11 S1 and S2 sacd player which works well with my SF cremonas. Yesterday I took the amp to a friend with the 802ds and compared with his Gamut/Tact combination with Zardoz hi end source. We were surprised how well the integrated drove the 802ds, even more surprised at all aspects of sound quality - near shocked. So the pre power combo would likely do well.
The 802d/marantz pairing sounded better than the sf cremona/marantz pairing. Unlikely as it would seem I could recommend the SA11 S1 with the 802Ds, although if I had the dosh I would use the monoblocks. A synergistic match.

[Cambs12]

Looking at 802ds myself.In a demo about 1 year ago,they set up a pair with 2 Naim power amps,rated,i think at about 50 watts each.They were clipping like mad,so a reasonable amount of power and current delivery will be required.Not heard the Marantz,i will be running mine from a Musical Fidelity Trivista 300.