Should I buy the Nautilus?

[Aldo]

Please don't tell me: If you have the money, go for them!
I been looking for the nautilus for years, starting 7 years ago when I could'nt buy them and saw a Discovery Channel special of those speakers.
Last year I sent an email asking B&W of they will be upgrading the nautilus soon (after the diamond tweeter). They told me then that they were working on a new speaker.
About 2 months ago in another mail they told me the projcts was canceled, that they are not going to upgrade anything in the nautilus and that it will be exactly as it is!
I know that this speaker sounds better than anything I´ve ever heard (I audition a pair once).
If you read the Original Nautilus catalog 2005 they say that they are working on a new 3 or 2 way speaker but for the audiophils this speaker will always be a treasure!
For me this is like the one in a lifetime buy so I'm very afraid the model change soon!
You have to concider that these speakers are about 16 years old.
And also anyone who audition them say they never hear such a big soundstage and clear audio from another speaker!

[BigBlue1974]

The real question to me would be why you are at all concerned with whether a new model may eventually come out?

A masterpiece is a masterpiece and whether something new comes out won't change the fact that you would still own one of the best sounding and in many people's opinions, easily the most beautiful speakers ever created. The fact the speakers have been around for a long time only strengthens the argument that they are one of the best...why change something that isn't broken?

[Aldo]

Thanks Blue, I think you are right!

[sikoniko]

my question would be, are you going to put it into a seperate system, or buy 3? Can you project above the middle one? The soundstage will be off for movies if you try and match your htm1d with it.

[fatcat]

Aldo,

I am also seriously considering a purchase. In reality, the 800D or 802D with the hummer center speaker would probably sound comparable in quality (although different in color), and the Nautilus doesn't make much sense in a surround system unless you buy 5 and use an acoustic screen.

However, my friends who have heard the Nautilus claim it has an extraordinary soundstage and a lifelike presence that is one-of-a-kind. I plan to audition them this month, so will hear for myself.

You have to ask yourself if you are ready for what these speakers entail -- an equally expensive amp set-up, extra power in your home, likely silver cabling and quite a complex system overall. They're also probably best for 2-channel listening in most realistic set-ups, even then costing $100k once you have everything in place.

It's personal taste in the end, but many people (including my wife) believe them to be the most beautiful speakers ever made. Depending on your priorities, that may be a significant factor on its own -- after all, do we not end up looking at our speakers more than listening to them? These are sculpture as well as refined instruments.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide for amps. I am considering 8 x McIntosh MC501s.

[Joey_V]

I will say that you could go for the Nautilus.... but open your eyes to other statement products as well. The thing about the Nautilus that concerns me is that they havent updated the drivers when they could have or planned to.

At $40K, you have a lot of other speakers to compare the Nautilus to... the Sonus Faber Stradivari is one that comes to mind.

Wouldnt it be nice to have 2 systems anyway? You already have your 802D... why not another statement product from a different manufacturer?

I'm playing devil's advocate... but someone has to!
:lol:

[chinets]

Bravo Aldo,
GO for those Nautilus!!!! You will never look back and say you made a mistake!!
Chance of a life time, so grab it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck and enjoy!!
Cheers

[Lewing]

Aldo, for the look of the nautilus alone, i say go for it, not to mention about how wonderful sound the speaker can produce. But i hope you realise this, i heard that a pair of nautilus needs 8 amps to power them... 8 !!!
Oh well, i believe you surely has the money to burn... :B :B :B

[Aldo]

The package the dealer is offering me comes with 4 CA-2200 Classe amps, the speakers comes with cables, the problem is the interconects from the active crossover.
I intend to put them with the HTM1D in the sorround, I know it will not match perfectly, but now I have N800 and HTM1D and it sound just amazing, so I'm not too worry about that.
The problem comes that I read about a lot of people blowing their Nautilus tweeters, and with the movies......
Do you realize that their new 800 theater speakers do not come with Diamond tweeters? And they are the most expensive B&W item excluding the nautilus!
I do about 70% HT and 30% music!
I just don't know but I have to make a decition very soon because my dealer offer expires this week!
It takes 9 days just to prepare the case of the nautilus and they made less than 2 pairs per month, with a waiting list, it will take 4-5 month to get my pair.
There is only one time when they made 5 speakers in amonth and that was for a TOP Microsoft CEO.
There is only one person in charge to mount the drivers in them!

[Race Car Driver]

If that was even an option for me, i would take the plunge and not look back!

You must show pics when they arrive

[misterdoggy]

I wouldn't worry about "matching" the center speaker, unless you listen to DVD-A surround music. If you listen to Stereo, whats the problem then.

The system will still be great for home cinema as most of the info in a HT comes to the center channel which you've got covered with the HTM1D already.

Aldo, You have serious upgraditus. I had it for a while and its calmed down a little. You have to ask yourself first, why do you need it ? Your wife is already not happy about the last 802D's and won't be thrilled with this idea.....

I mean your system is killer right now. It won't be more killer with the Nautilus, but "equally" killer. This is because it is already in a league that few can attain.

Like whether you have the Ferrari 250 GTO or a Ferrari 330 GTO, the performance, the looks will still be shocking. So for shock sake, you are already there.

Will you finally be happy is the question ?? Not trying to be the Dalai Lama, but I would like to be more like the Dalai Lama then I am. I'm no one to preach having spent probably $100k on my system ......

But I am in a bit of a reflection period right now and wondering if more money invested in my own system will actually make me a happier person.....

[GregLett]

But I am in a bit of a reflection period right now and wondering if more money invested in my own system will actually make me a happier person.....

Yes it will

[Aldo]

I wouldn't worry about "matching" the center speaker, unless you listen to DVD-A surround music. If you listen to Stereo, whats the problem then.

The system will still be great for home cinema as most of the info in a HT comes to the center channel which you've got covered with the HTM1D already.

Aldo, You have serious upgraditus. I had it for a while and its calmed down a little. You have to ask yourself first, why do you need it ? Your wife is already not happy about the last 802D's and won't be thrilled with this idea.....

I mean your system is killer right now. It won't be more killer with the Nautilus, but "equally" killer. This is because it is already in a league that few can attain.

Like whether you have the Ferrari 250 GTO or a Ferrari 330 GTO, the performance, the looks will still be shocking. So for shock sake, you are already there.

Will you finally be happy is the question ?? Not trying to be the Dalai Lama, but I would like to be more like the Dalai Lama then I am. I'm no one to preach having spent probably $100k on my system ......

But I am in a bit of a reflection period right now and wondering if more money invested in my own system will actually make me a happier person.....

Mrdoggy, you calm down your upgraditus with an X5! :B
But you are right!
My head is going to explode and my dealer just keep pushing! :M

[sikoniko]

Mrdoggy, you calm down your upgraditus with an X5! :B
But you are right!
My head is going to explode and my dealer just keep pushing! :M

I do like the classe amps over the krell/mcintosh you have. if you really want to upgrade, why not compare amps?

[misterdoggy]

Mrdoggy, you calm down your upgraditus with an X5! :B
But you are right!
My head is going to explode and my dealer just keep pushing! :M

You got me there Aldo. Yeah the X-5. I've been driving around the French Alpes instead of being home listening to my B&W's.

I've got a good CD charger in the X-5 and have taken some of my favorites out to the car.

I do listen to music in the house every day. Something. I relax, answer my emails with my portable and I'm ZEN.........

If you get those Natilus' you will have to put up a picture so I can show my wife that there is someone crazier than me and she should be happy with ME or she might end up with someone like YOU. ;x(

[Indytown]

You got me there Aldo. Yeah the X-5. I've been driving around the French Alpes instead of being home listening to my B&W's.

I've got a good CD charger in the X-5 and have taken some of my favorites out to the car.

I do listen to music in the house every day. Something. I relax, answer my emails with my portable and I'm ZEN.........

If you get those Natilus' you will have to put up a picture so I can show my wife that there is someone crazier than me and she should be happy with ME or she might end up with someone like YOU. ;x(

I would stop and enjoy the work that went into putting the current system together.

Buying and upgrading is like being an heroin junkie.

Our world revolves and functions on obsolesence. There will always be somethng newer and better. The trick is to buy quality which you have, and sell in the future and not lose your entire investment. Then add some additional funds for the future upgrade.

If you are 70% Ht and 30% music then what your buying habits are with the BW 800/802 are more for the visual and furniture like qualities that your room dictates.

You would get more mileage from your speakers changing the electronics and addressing your room.

You would need a room almost twice the size to fully utilize your current sound system, treated and professionally designed so every corner and curve of the room would have a value assigned to it.

Just some thoughts.

Indy

[DM3000 Owner]

I wouldn't worry about "matching" the center speaker, unless you listen to DVD-A surround music. If you listen to Stereo, whats the problem then.

The system will still be great for home cinema as most of the info in a HT comes to the center channel which you've got covered with the HTM1D already.

Aldo, You have serious upgraditus. I had it for a while and its calmed down a little. You have to ask yourself first, why do you need it ? Your wife is already not happy about the last 802D's and won't be thrilled with this idea.....

I mean your system is killer right now. It won't be more killer with the Nautilus, but "equally" killer. This is because it is already in a league that few can attain.

Like whether you have the Ferrari 250 GTO or a Ferrari 330 GTO, the performance, the looks will still be shocking. So for shock sake, you are already there.

Will you finally be happy is the question ?? Not trying to be the Dalai Lama, but I would like to be more like the Dalai Lama then I am. I'm no one to preach having spent probably $100k on my system ......

But I am in a bit of a reflection period right now and wondering if more money invested in my own system will actually make me a happier person.....

Exactly what I have been preaching. I recently bought a VPI turntable and am having a lot of fun buying vinyl. It is quite a fix.

[Aldo]

I would stop and enjoy the work that went into putting the current system together.

Buying and upgrading is like being an heroin junkie.

Our world revolves and functions on obsolesence. There will always be somethng newer and better. The trick is to buy quality which you have, and sell in the future and not lose your entire investment. Then add some additional funds for the future upgrade.

If you are 70% Ht and 30% music then what your buying habits are with the BW 800/802 are more for the visual and furniture like qualities that your room dictates.

You would get more mileage from your speakers changing the electronics and addressing your room.

You would need a room almost twice the size to fully utilize your current sound system, treated and professionally designed so every corner and curve of the room would have a value assigned to it.

Just some thoughts.

Indy

For someone in this forum quality is Bose! :B
For others Wilson Audio Lost in Space robot will be! :2fingers:
About the electonics you are right I need a good pre, and a good CD player for music! I'M WORKING ON THEM!

[fatcat]

Aldo --

Reading your posts, the pressure from your dealer to decide in a matter of days is a bit concerning. May I ask what deal he is offering you? Did he give you a separate quote with and without the CA2200 amps?

Most major dealers can get these speakers, and it is customary to wait many months in every case. There should be absolutely no need to rush into this decision.

Also, I would imagine the Nautilus is better suited to music than HT, unless you buy all 5 (I am NOT trying to give you more reasons to upgrade!). The difference in color from the HTM1D should be OK, but to spend this kind of money for a 5-channel system that is not designed to be used together seems a bit of a shame.

I agree with others that the Nautilus is not necessarily the best-sounding speaker on the market (many prefer the Watt Puppy, Stradivari, etc.); the Nautilus is, however, one of the best and probably the best looking. If it's the style that is driving you to upgrade, then by all means, enjoy the furniture.

[Aldo]

He is giving me a great price on both the amps and the speakers! he also promise to deliver one before the year end (which I do not believe).
As you said others prefer Watt Puppy Stradivari, etc but not me!
But calling this speaker furniture, I'm not shure, do you really believe that one?

[Joey_V]

Aldo,

It seems like you already know what you want to do. I dont think anything else we say in this thread will change that.

I say, if you really want it - go for it.

If it were me though, I would stick with your awesome setup as it is and explore another statement product from another company.

[misterdoggy]

Aldo,

Your setup is already great. I would if I was you pile up a bunch of similar Amps ie: Classe 2200 or Mark Levinson 400's Krell Evolutions but I would get really the best Amps and invest the money there. And of course Preamp and CD player. This would be first then speaker upgrade last from the 800D's which are already great speakers.

[Aldo]

Mr Joey and doggy:

You are right, I though about these all night! It doesnt matter if I get the best speakers ever, if I feed them trash they will only give me trash, so I will first invest in electronics and by the time I finish with that maybe there is an upgraded Nautilus!

Thank you very much for your advice!

[BigBlue1974]

Mr Joey and doggy:

You are right, I though about these all night! It doesnt matter if I get the best speakers ever, if I feed them trash they will only give me trash, so I will first invest in electronics and by the time I finish with that maybe there is an upgraded Nautilus!

Thank you very much for your advice!

Regardless of what you decide to do, please keep us all updated with lots of pics if you can! I look at systems like you currently have and know that it's not attainable ever for me really(well unless I win the lottery!) and it's really the same as guys who have a huge collection of exotic cars. Maybe the majority of us can't afford to have a system such as yours, but it's sure nice for us to be able to see pictures of one out there.

[Aldo]

Regardless of what you decide to do, please keep us all updated with lots of pics if you can! I look at systems like you currently have and know that it's not attainable ever for me really(well unless I win the lottery!) and it's really the same as guys who have a huge collection of exotic cars. Maybe the majority of us can't afford to have a system such as yours, but it's sure nice for us to be able to see pictures of one out there.

Dear Blue:

I will post more pictures this weekend!
Thank you very much! ;x(
The must important is that we all keep dreaming.... and working!
Two years ago I never though I will have these gear!

They say looky is delivered at 5:00 AM so lift your arce from this computer and get to work! :B :B :B

[misterdoggy]

Aldo,

That Krell Amp that's between those 800D's probably is only slightly different. Since you were thinking about Preamp, CD and Amps, If you want to spend some cash Here's the system:

Mark Levinson 32 Preamp
Mark Levinson 30.6 DAC and 31.5 CD player considered by many the magic combination that has not been surpassed
with a pair of 33H Mark Levinson Mono Amps for the L & R
433 and 431 for the remaining 5 speakers all 200 Watts channel

This would be Heaven.......

[Aldo]

Aldo,

That Krell Amp that's between those 800D's probably is only slightly different. Since you were thinking about Preamp, CD and Amps, If you want to spend some cash Here's the system:

Mark Levinson 32 Preamp
Mark Levinson 30.6 DAC and 31.5 CD player considered by many the magic combination that has not been surpassed
with a pair of 33H Mark Levinson Mono Amps for the L & R
433 and 431 for the remaining 5 speakers all 200 Watts channel

This would be Heaven.......

Where can I get the 30,6DAC and 31,5 CD, they are discontinued aren't they?

[misterdoggy]

You have to keep your eye out on audiogon or ebay. http://www.audiogon.com is the best marketplace in the world for used audio equipment.

They don't come up often because they haven't been made in some time. They say the combo is the very best musical sound there is. Who..... Many many sources, but I'm sure there will be someone in the forum that has different favorites.

I almost bought the pair for $10,000 recently and you should be able to find the combo between $8500 and $11000. I went with the 390S because its new and the mechanism is not used. But also the price was half of what that combo would be.

I asked my mark levinson contact if the 390S and the 30.6 DAC would work together and it seems that the "magic" only happens when you pair these 2 together (30.6 + 31.5).

[Aldo]

Thanks! I will look for them!

[dknightd]

But calling this speaker furniture?

I'd say more sculpture than furniture.

[Aldo]

I'd say more sculpture than furniture.

It's a speaker who get that sculpture form from it's funtion!

[misterdoggy]

Aldo

I may have a line on a 31.5 and 30.6 from a guy private owner in Florida. I will let you know his response if he still is selling ?

[chinets]

Mi Hermano Aldo,
Do what your heart desires. Furniture or not, you are getting the best speakers/furniture in the world. What you have right now, is probably every Audiophile upgraditis freak like me would dream about. Go for what you think is best, for you and your ears, and forget all of us. We are hear to help, and I don't think with what you have standing needs much help. Misterdoggy has a good solution for your music player, other than that, you are set and In Audio haven mi amigo!!!
Be happy with what you have!!!Wow is the word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suerte!!!
Ciao, and enjoy your fortune and treasures!!!

[misterdoggy]

Aldo,

My guy sold his combo for $9500 so that's what it would take to buy the 2 if you find it> I f I hear anything I'll let you know.

Hasta Luego
todo esta bien

Doggy

[Indytown]

Aldo,

The MAC MDA1000 has received tremendous reviews for its performance as a DAC. There is a mataching transport also.

Something to consider. It's also new.

It's ranked in the A+ category in Stereophile magazine 2006 recommended components, along with the dCS gear. :T

Indy

[Indytown]

Aldo,

What I have found is the more MAC gear I put into my system, the brilliance, clarity, depth, dynamics keep geeting better. The music flows with ease.

Indy


Current Setup: 800D/HTMD2/MC501/C220/MCD201

[Aldo]

Mi Hermano Aldo,
Do what your heart desires. Furniture or not, you are getting the best speakers/furniture in the world. What you have right now, is probably every Audiophile upgraditis freak like me would dream about. Go for what you think is best, for you and your ears, and forget all of us. We are hear to help, and I don't think with what you have standing needs much help. Misterdoggy has a good solution for your music player, other than that, you are set and In Audio haven mi amigo!!!
Be happy with what you have!!!Wow is the word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suerte!!!
Ciao, and enjoy your fortune and treasures!!!

GRACIAS! Thankyou very Much!

[Aldo]

Aldo,

The MAC MDA1000 has received tremendous reviews for its performance as a DAC. There is a mataching transport also.

Something to consider. It's also new.

It's ranked in the A+ category in Stereophile magazine 2006 recommended components, along with the dCS gear. :T

Indy

My best freind is a McIntosh dealer, so I will ask him for an audition of it!
Thanks!

[fauzigarib]

You have a PM

Aldo,

Forgot to tell you.. you have a private message from me!

Fauzi

[chinets]

Aldo,
Much gusto!!!!!!!
You are welcome hermano!!! You deserve it!!
Un fuetre abrazo con carino,
Chinets

[Tweir]

Just some added temptation for you.

[Nick M]

Just remember, listen to the music and not the speakers. :T
Hope you achieve sonic bliss!

[Aldo]

Just some added temptation for you.

Thank you very much!
Today my dealer give me bad news!
I need to wait until march for my Nautilus!
They said that the demand for these speakers is too high, 100% more than 2 years ago!

[Aldo]

Tweir: Did you visited B&W factoty?

[PavelL]

Here's a few links for all those interested

http://www.avbuzz.com/new_home/w/200502/av/bb/nautilus/nautilus2.php

http://www.avbuzz.com/new_home/w/200502/av/bb/nautilus/nautilus3.php

:T