802D versus N802 comparison

[Blazar]

I just replaced my N802 with 802D's within nothing else changed. I'm running a Rotel 1095 which I plan to eventually change to a PS Audio GCC amp.

Basically there was instantaneous soundstage improvement, better highs, and MUCH better lows. I had just gotten done listening to all my usual test songs and the difference is just plain obvious. The sound isn't just different either, it's better.

[Aussie Geoff]

Blazar,

Enjoy - I too found the difference "night and day"... The 802 was very good, while the 802D is simply amazing...

Try a few different amps - the 802D is very revealing of the amps characteristics and it would be worth experimenting to find what works best for you...

Geoff

[Blazar]

Actually I think I shouldn't judge too soon about the 802d's. I say this because my room is a HORRENDOUS mess of standing waves and echos for which I need room treatments for. Until I move the 802N's out of the room I won't be able to judge the 802d for sure. The 802N's may be acting like a "bass trap" making the 802D's sound much better...

I know this sounds odd, but even my 802N sounded much better in my old apartment and then when I moved, my home theater room in my new house sounds like crap.

It could be that the 802d does better in this room in terms of bass response simply due to how bad my 802n was doing with this room.

The upper end of the frequency spectrum defintely sounds both smoother and less harsh than the 802n but there is defintely more audible detail. This effect I doubt is just some room effect. The diamonds are defintely better in this regard and should potentially be even better with a different amp or with some room treatments.

For the time being, my next purchase MUST be room treatments as these will make a far more impressive change to the sound than any amp or D/A converter.