Any other choices for laid back sound like Classe equipment to match B&W speakers?

[JimTW]

I love the laid back, airy, yet very detailed sound of Classe with
B&W 802/3/4/5. Any other brands of amp/pre/pro that you have
auditioned that have that same laid back airy nuance like Classe?
The CAP 2100 integrated amp from Classe is what I'd like to have
to match a pair of 805S, but they are so dang expensive!

Tks!

[GregLett]

Jim,

What amp are you running now? you can get a laid back sound by adding a tube pre to your rig.

[JimTW]

Greg,

I have an older kenwood system, still doing auditioning to spec out a system.

Any other brands/options to choose from other than adding a tube pre to the rig?

Tks!

[GregLett]

Musical Fidelity A5 would be a must listen.

[JimTW]

Musical Fidelity A5 would be a must listen.

Ah yes, should that be paired with the A5 cd player? I read somewhere
the prodcution run for the A5 cd player is extremely limited. You have
auditioned the A5 integrated amp? How was it??

Tks!

[alebonau]

Ah yes, should that be paired with the A5 cd player? I read somewhere
the prodcution run for the A5 cd player is extremely limited. You have
auditioned the A5 integrated amp? How was it??

Tks!

the a5 integrated is very nice indeed, clean & detailled, great soundstage and would be quite adequate driving a 805s. Not sure I'd say its as smooth sounding as classe. And if your wanting a bit more slam and dynamics and bite check out the A5cr pre-pwr an excellent combination that I thought sounded very nice with b&w as well..

Other nice sounding amps with b&w is Electrocompaniet - used to be the pairing till b&w wooed over classe as one of its brands.

either of the integrated amps would be well worth checking out

http://www.electrocompaniet.no/products_integrated.html

not sure if theyre sold where you are but theyre beautifully and well worth their cost

for another suprise pairing, for something quite different, have you tried naim amps with your 805s if you get a chance try it, I listened to that combination a fair while back now and found much to love in the naim sound after that ! showed to me too the difference using a pre-power setup can make even wiht a bookshelf.

[scanido]

Give Bryston a go! I demoed the 4B-SST and Classe and they sounded similar, with a the classe being a tad more detailed & airy. I ended up with an older 4B-St because of budget. I couldn't be happier!

[GregLett]

Ah yes, should that be paired with the A5 cd player? I read somewhere
the prodcution run for the A5 cd player is extremely limited. You have
auditioned the A5 integrated amp? How was it??

Tks!

Actually never heard the A5, I heard the KW500.

[Eliav]

AudioBalance solid state amp(200wattsx2)/pre gear sounded amazing to my ears with the Wilson Watt speakers. It was as smooth and detailed as my classe CAM400/B&w 803 combo do. very dark background and deep soundstage.smooth and sweet highs, very much detailed and airy mids. Don't know how much these guys cost though...
Cheers
Eliav

[nyny]

Jeff Rowland Concerto Integrated :T

[Jraducha]

Im surprise no one has said to give the rotel product a go. I think they offer a ton of bang for the buck. Very smooth sounding amp. Or another amp that I am listening to now at home is the adcom products..so far I have been very impressed by their new stuff.

[GregLett]

Im surprise no one has said to give the rotel product a go. I think they offer a ton of bang for the buck. Very smooth sounding amp. Or another amp that I am listening to now at home is the adcom products..so far I have been very impressed by their new stuff.

I wouldn't consider Rotel a "laid back" sound. I had all Rotel gear, before adding my tube pre to get a more laid back sound.

[Eliav]

I wouldn't consider Rotel a "laid back" sound. I had all Rotel gear, before adding my tube pre to get a more laid back sound.

I concur. I still have my Rotel gear, and I love it, the sound however is no match to a higher end gear. When I switched my rotel to Classe the difference was huge, rotel sounds metal,harsh and lack of air and detail compared to Classe, having said this, again, we are comparing 4000$ amp/pre with a
17000 $ monoblocks/pre, rotel for the price does an excellent job but it is no match to the premier league brands.
Cheers
Eliav