B&W 803D Versus 802D Review

[garak]

Hi garak ,

The dealer is offering two 3m AQ Gibraltar2 cables so I better find a matching used 3m Gibraltar2 cable for my center to make all speakers exactly the same.

I am expecting my diamonds next week, but I have not settled down with cables yet. Should I consider paying a bit extra for AQ Mont Blanc or Kimber Monocole-X ... hmm.

Miyuki
:brunette:

Hi Miyuki,

I would say that Gibraltar2 will be great with your speakers. It's a great cable. Try to get them as a single bi-wire.

However, there is another option you may consider. I saw this on audiogon (an excellent site for trading audio gear) the other day.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....blanc-8ft.-l-r

Someone is selling a set of mont blanc with L&R 2.5M, center 2M offered at $800 USD (price is negotiable). The add says he'll only ship to US and Canada, but if you're interested, just ask if some arrangements can be made to ship to Japan.

[Miyuki]

Thank you garak
Mont Blanc seems to be a great deal better, but the dealer just included a 2m Gibraltar2 cable for my center with no extra charge.

[garak]

Thank you garak
Mont Blanc seems to be a great deal better, but the dealer just included a 2m Gibraltar2 cable for my center with no extra charge.

You're welcome. Very nice, sounds like you got an excellent deal. When do you expect to receive all of your new gear?

[Miyuki]

You're welcome. Very nice, sounds like you got an excellent deal. When do you expect to receive all of your new gear?

Thank you.,

I got my diamonds today
and three Gibraltar2 3m cables with no extra charge. Still, I dont know much about cables!

Here is my upgrade with lots of blue snakes!

[ShadowZA]

Beautiful!

Congratulations, Miyuki! :T

Hope that you enjoy many hours of musical pleasure.

[garak]

Thank you.,

I got my diamonds today
and three Gibraltar2 3m cables with no extra charge. Still, I dont know much about cables!

Here is my upgrade with lots of blue snakes!

Excellent!!

I'm sure you'll really enjoy the new speakers. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, right?

[marky mark]

Thank you.,

I got my diamonds today
and three Gibraltar2 3m cables with no extra charge. Still, I dont know much about cables!

Here is my upgrade with lots of blue snakes!

Sent you a PM

[1oldguy]

Hi Everyone

Interesting thread......I just bought the 802D's, IN Black ash.....And have the 803D's ordered for the rear.And a Htm2d along with the ASW855.
And I'm trying to figure out what will suite my needs most.Im50/50 music and movies.So far I'm maybe leaning towards Bryston or Classe".But I cant try till I buy. :roll: So this thread is just what I was looking for.

Best
X-Samitt

[misterdoggy]

Try McIntosh 501's with the 802D's its a match made in Heaven

[beden1]

Hi Everyone

Interesting thread......I just bought the 802D's, IN Black ash.....And have the 803D's ordered for the rear.And a Htm2d along with the ASW855.
And I'm trying to figure out what will suite my needs most.Im50/50 music and movies.So far I'm maybe leaning towards Bryston or Classe".But I cant try till I buy. :roll: So this thread is just what I was looking for.

Best
X-Samitt

What are you using for your pre-pro, and what is the size of your listening room?

[1oldguy]

HI and thanks for the help:}

My room is on the small side,,,,But I don't plan on staying here forever thank god.Also I don't have the kind of funds so that I can buy new gear in the event I don't like something as I have limited funds.So I'm trying to make sure I do all this right the first time.

I just bought the Pioneer T'V Elite pro 151FD figured that was a pretty safe bet as far as tv's go.And I just bought the speakers and just waiting on the rears to get here.I don't have any audio gear (Just the T.V and speakers)so the help I get from people here who have much more experience than Myself is much appreciated.

[beden1]

HI and thanks for the help:}

My room is on the small side,,,,But I don't plan on staying here forever thank god.Also I don't have the kind of funds so that I can buy new gear in the event I don't like something as I have limited funds.So I'm trying to make sure I do all this right the first time.

I just bought the Pioneer T'V Elite pro 151FD figured that was a pretty safe bet as far as tv's go.And I just bought the speakers and just waiting on the rears to get here.I don't have any audio gear (Just the T.V and speakers)so the help I get from people here who have much more experience than Myself is much appreciated.

You purchased great speakers and TV. The problem, or opportunity you now face, is that you need to match the right electronics in order to get the most out of your speaker investment.

Depending on what funds you have planned on spending now, or in the future, will have a lot to do with building your system.

Do you have a planned budget to work with? Sharing this will help people come up with some workable suggestions.

[wettou]

Try McIntosh 501's with the 802D's its a match made in Heaven

Same with Electrocompaniet Nemo 600W

[1oldguy]

My Budget is 20k........any thing over that I could get on credit up to about 5 k.

[misterdoggy]

YOu can pick up real good bargains on Audiogon. Used Amps, Preamps, etc

B&W goes well with Classe, McIntosh, and many of the best brands out there.

I Know many many people with McIntosh and B&W. I have tried, Rotel, Krell, Mark Levinson, Pass Labs, Hafler and some others but liked the warmth of Mcintosh.

You should listen to different amps and preamps with sources if you can. Take your time and choose right

[1oldguy]

Thanks for the input.....It would seem I have lots of reviews to read:}
In the meantime I'd like to share an original song I did a little ways back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sg4Vnwg6Rc&eurl=http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit2?ns=1&video_id=7sg4Vnwg6Rc&next=%2Fmy_videos2%3Fpi%3D0%26ps%3D20iurl=http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/7sg4Vnwg6Rc/hqdefault.jpg

Will be checking back later ...And again thanks.

One quick question .....Would the 28B SST from Bryston be too too much power for the 802'D's?...Since the 802D's are 500 watt and the mono's are 1000 watt each?Don't want to fry anything. :T

[wettou]

You should listen to different amps and preamps with sources if you can. Take your time and choose right

Agreed, demo, demo demo taht is the only way to figure out what you like..

Lake Annecy, France Alors tu parles Francais? :T

[wettou]

One quick question .....Would the 28B SST from Bryston be too too much power for the 802'D's?...Since the 802D's are 500 watt and the mono's are 1000 watt each?Don't want to fry anything. :T

You can never have too much power

[beden1]

My Budget is 20k........any thing over that I could get on credit up to about 5 k.

Your budget is $20,000+ above the cost of the speakers and the TV at this point?

To match the level of your speakers, you need to budget for a quality pre-pro, amplifier(s), a CD player or music source player, and a blu-ray player.

If I were re-doing my system with that budget, I would strongly consider the new Classe SSP-800 (list price $8,000), the Classe CA-5200 (list price $9,000), and then you'd have about $3,000 left over for either a combo blu-ray/CD/SACD player, or for a bit more, I would personally buy the new Sony players: SCD-XA5400ES and their BDP-5000ES blu-ray player.

Oppo has also announced their new blu-ray/CD/SACD player that is coming in January for under $800?

Classe products have excellent synergy with B&W speakers, and you can no doubt work a good price with the dealer with whom you already spent considerable dollars in buying your B&W speakers.

The price for your cables and speaker wires do not have to be expensive. I can give you a good quality source if you care to send me an PM.

I hope this helps.

[1oldguy]

Hi

Yes I have 20K To work with.

I have a nad cd Player
Will get a PS3 for now for the Blue Ray end of things.
My dealer can get Bryston(20 Year warranty-Piece of mind goes a long way with that Brand) and Rotel And just may be able to get Classe.
He is the Dealer I bought what I have thus far.


There is one other Dealer who can get the top end Denon(Both Pieces).OF which I like.
But alas I have to buy it first for any of them will order.Not the best way of doing things but that's my situation.

As far as cables go Both dealers carry Monster Cable of which I'm not really happy about buying.I have heard of Blue Jeans Cable Though.

[beden1]

Hi

Yes I have 20K To work with.

I have a nad cd Player
Will get a PS3 for now for the Blue Ray end of things.
My dealer can get Bryston(20 Year warranty-Piece of mind goes a long way with that Brand) and Rotel And just may be able to get Classe.
He is the Dealer I bought what I have thus far.


There is one other Dealer who can get the top end Denon(Both Pieces).OF which I like.
But alas I have to buy it first for any of them will order.Not the best way of doing things but that's my situation.

As far as cables go Both dealers carry Monster Cable of which I'm not really happy about buying.I have heard of Blue Jeans Cable Though.

Sounds like you've already considered what you may want to get. For your high level of speakers however, I would not suggest Rotel or Monster Cables.

You should go to the AVSForum, and their audio section where you will find numerous discussions about the Denon AVP. Or, this forum's Classe section to find out more about Classe products.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[misterdoggy]

Check out Audiogon. Why buy new Amplifiers and Preamplifiers and Processors when you can buy what you want for almost 1/2 price like new. A hardly used piece like those is NO different from a new one. Yes usage counts on a CD/DVD player or speakers which you need to take in to account, but I bought almost barnd new McIntosh Amps at 1/2 price.

Classe and B&W go together because they are owned by the same parent company, but also check out mcintosh.

[1oldguy]

I went on the mcintosh site.Look like some very sweet gear.I wish there were a dealer here.It looks like great gear.
Apparently I am not the only one who doesn't like Monster Audio cables.I have never used them ....It's just more of an aversion when ever I see them. :T
I'll post picks when I'm all set up.Thanks all.

[sikoniko]

Sounds like you've already considered what you may want to get. For your high level of speakers however, I would not suggest Rotel or Monster Cables.

You should go to the AVSForum, and their audio section where you will find numerous discussions about the Denon AVP. Or, this forum's Classe section to find out more about Classe products.

Go luck and happy hunting.

If you go to AVSForum, you will find the Denon fanclub. They will tell you that the Denon is the greatest product ever made. Though they will concede to the AnthemD2V2 coming out, and maybe the new NAD, based on them having an auto-eq.

That is not saying that the Denon is a bad unit. Its just not an objective view over there. If you go to the Classe thread, you will get a lean towards Classe. No denial here. There is only one right answer and thats what best fits your needs.

It seems that people are polarizing themselves on Pre/Pro's based on roomEQ capability, not because they like how the unit sounds. Sound quality is now secondary, because they believe roomEQ makes up for other areas that are lacking in the pre/pro.

Now, my disclaimor, and please read very carefully: I am in no way saying the Denon is a good/bad/indifferent unit. I'm saying not to allow yourself to get convinced that it, or any other product for that matter, is superior to everything else out there. Audio is still very subjective to personal tastes, and no roomEQ can change that.

you can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig... right?

[1oldguy]

Hi Sikoniko

What you say makes sence.I am learning and trying to soak up as much info as I can, since like life, I am only doing this once.I just saw a clip on u-tube at the Mcintosh factory.Apparently they make everything themselves.Which is something I think says alot.The 501's really do look great.I am doing 5.1 so I would need in addition to the the 501's, a 3 channel amp for the front and rears.Will check and see if they make one.

[1oldguy]

Well apparently Mcintosh Do indeed make a 3 Challel amp.
The MC303 .I think the list is 10K ,But I of course stand to be corrected.
Does anyone know the list on the 501's them maybe?I saw 8200 not sure if that's one or both?

[beden1]

Check out Audiogon. Why buy new Amplifiers and Preamplifiers and Processors when you can buy what you want for almost 1/2 price like new. A hardly used piece like those is NO different from a new one. Yes usage counts on a CD/DVD player or speakers which you need to take in to account, but I bought almost barnd new McIntosh Amps at 1/2 price.

Classe and B&W go together because they are owned by the same parent company, but also check out mcintosh.

I noticed you're selling your speakers and some other gear. Are you not happy with the final result of the high end system you put together?

[htsteve]

Well apparently Mcintosh Do indeed make a 3 Challel amp.
The MC303 .I think the list is 10K ,But I of course stand to be corrected.
Does anyone know the list on the 501's them maybe?I saw 8200 not sure if that's one or both?

The MC303 is around $10-11k. A MC501 is $5500 list. Since the MC303 is new, there will probably not be any on audiogon. However, there are quite a number of MC402's (great match to the 802D) or MC501's at pretty nice prices.


I have McIntosh driving 802D's, HTM2D and N804's. The combo is wonderful.


Hope this helps.

[1oldguy]

I have contacted Mcintosh ....Apparently there isn't a dealer where I live.
So I'm trying to see what they will do for me.

In the Meantime I can get Bryston and Maybe Classe.But I would prefer the Mcintosh ,I like the fact they build it all themselves.

[beden1]

I have contacted Mcintosh ....Apparently there isn't a dealer where I live.
So I'm trying to see what they will do for me.

In the Meantime I can get Bryston and Maybe Classe.But I would prefer the Mcintosh ,I like the fact they build it all themselves.

Classe also totally builds their units in-house.

[misterdoggy]

I noticed you're selling your speakers and some other gear. Are you not happy with the final result of the high end system you put together?

Beden,

I am selling my house and moving to the South of France and downsizing to something more reasonable. I'm like the guy in Close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until it was his living room.

I will probably end up with a modest system ie: 803D's with 501 McIntosh's for stereo, keeping the Meridian 861 Processor as my ultimate DAC.

It got too big

I have contacted Mcintosh ....Apparently there isn't a dealer where I live.
So I'm trying to see what they will do for me.

In the Meantime I can get Bryston and Maybe Classe.But I would prefer the Mcintosh ,I like the fact they build it all themselves.

Try AudioClassics, they are the biggest McIntosh Dealer, both for new and used pieces all with Guarantee's. Talk to Ryan

[Kal Rubinson]

Well apparently Mcintosh Do indeed make a 3 Challel amp.
The MC303 .I think the list is 10K ,But I of course stand to be corrected.

Yeah. Just got it in-house this week.

Kal

[misterdoggy]

MC303 is a Beast !! Its Huge

Kal You better have a "jack" handy to move that sucka around

Watch your Back .... Moving the 1201's did me in

[focker]

Yeah. Just got it in-house this week.

Kal

Does that mean a review is on the way?

[1oldguy]

I second that :T

[wettou]

Beden,I am selling my house and moving to the South of France and downsizing to something more reasonable. I'm like the guy in Close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until it was his living room.

Flying out of the country :B Hmm... running away from all these creditors...:lol:

[misterdoggy]

Flying out of the country :B Hmm... running away from all these creditors...:lol:

Very Funny,

No actually I live in France and would just be moving south..

[Kal Rubinson]

MC303 is a Beast !! Its Huge

Kal You better have a "jack" handy to move that sucka around

Watch your Back .... Moving the 1201's did me in

I have help. :T

And, yes, a review is planned.

Kal

[beden1]

[QUOTE=misterdoggy]Beden,

I am selling my house and moving to the South of France and downsizing to something more reasonable. I'm like the guy in Close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until it was his living room.

I will probably end up with a modest system ie: 803D's with 501 McIntosh's for stereo, keeping the Meridian 861 Processor as my ultimate DAC.

It got too big

Well, at least you had the fun of building an ultimate system, as well as some time to enjoy it. I think I remember you saying that you felt kind of embarrassed when your friends came over and saw your monster system.

It's just a shame that you sold your HTM2D!

Good luck with your move, and have some more fun setting up your next system.

[misterdoggy]

It's just a shame that you sold your HTM2D!

I'll second that

[wettou]

Very Funny, No actually I live in France and would just be moving south..

Ah the South, yes much warmer and people take the time to live rather than being on :conveyer: all the time. Where in the South Aix en Provence?

[ShadowZA]

Beden,

I am selling my house and moving to the South of France and downsizing to something more reasonable. I'm like the guy in Close encounters who kept building the mound in his living room until it was his living room.

I will probably end up with a modest system ie: 803D's with 501 McIntosh's for stereo, keeping the Meridian 861 Processor as my ultimate DAC.

It got too big...

Good luck with your plans, Misterdoggy.

The South is most beautiful imho. In July we spent some days in Carcassonne and travelled around the area. Enjoyed the Bastille Day celebrations and fireworks display at night against the backdrop of the Cité Médiévale. :T

[Miyuki]

Good luck with your plans, Misterdoggy.

The South is most beautiful imho. In July we spent some days in Carcassonne and travelled around the area. Enjoyed the Bastille Day celebrations and fireworks display at night against the backdrop of the Cité Médiévale. :T

Thats a lovely place!! Is there a B&W dealer behid those walls?

[focker]

I am really looking forward to your review. As an FYI, I have had a MC303 for a month now but sadly haven't even plugged it in (let alone take it out the box) because I am waiting to get my new entertainment center finished by the furniture shop so I have a place to set it. That thing is 155 pounds! I will be using a Pioneer SC-07 as the Pre Amp for my front three speakers which are B&W 803Ds and a HTM2D. The rears will be powered by the SC-07.

[mjb]

I went to Carcassonne in 2007, beautiful!