Amps for N803 (Pass labs, Mark Levinson, Jeff Rowland)

[Blessedi]

Hi, I am using the N803 now with a 70W YBA 2HC, am contemplating to change amp for a different/better sound. I had these brands in mind, Mark Levinson (434, 432, 336), Jeff Rowland (Model 8 or 10), and Pass Labs(X250, XA100).

Could anyone who have used or heard these amps perform on N803 comment your views?

Thanks alot!

[wettou]

Hi, I am using the N803 now with a 70W YBA 2HC, am contemplating to change amp for a different/better sound. I had these brands in mind, Mark Levinson (434, 432, 336), Jeff Rowland (Model 8 or 10), and Pass Labs(X250, XA100).

Could anyone who have used or heard these amps perform on N803 comment your views?

Thanks alot!

Here is my order of preference

- Pass Labs XA100

- Mark Levinson 432

- Pass Labs X250

Never heard the others, those three will sound fabulous with 803s

[Blessedi]

Thanks, not sure how true this is but because I am also running the system as a HT setup thru my meridian pre-pro, will Class A amps like XA100 seems a little lack of dynamics? No doubt Class A amps performs best with audio only setup.

[htsteve]

blessedi,

I have not heard any of the amps you have listed. The best thing to do would be an in home audition, if possible.

I have 802D's and am running them with McIntosh. Macs are something to consider. They have both solid state (MC402 up to the MC1201) as well as tube amps (MC275 to MC2301) that might fit the bill. Many of us really like the B&W and Mac combo.

Happy hunting.



Hope this helps.

[Blessedi]

Yes HTsteve, I do notice the trend of B&W going with macs and classe in this forum. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of a home trial, don't think the dealers here in my country does that.

Like I said, I am into both HT and music, so a compromise is inevitable, just which is the best of both world in the least sense.

[Miyuki]

This summer, I upgraded my amp from Denon 5803 to Denon AVP-A1HD/POA-A1HD to feed my N803s and the improvement was great. Since I am in Japan, Japanese makes are the cheapest making Classe very expensive relatively to Denon. My Denon exceeds all my requirements, yet it is not as beautiful and highendy as Classe thou! My question is wheter Classe is overkill for N803 and wouldn't it make the speaker appear too bright by its perfection! My impression is that Denon is a bit warm and thus makes N803 less bright. I might be wrong as I have no experience with Classe or Mctosh!

Shortly I will be upgrading to B&W 803Ds and I am afraid that Classe clearly outperforms my Denon with those speakers.

Abbey Road studios has 801s with Classe amps so it seems to be the best match for those with money.

Miyuki
:brunette:

[misterdoggy]

I have owned the 432 and the X250.5 and can tell you they are both great amps

The x250.5 is more of an amp than the 432. You would have to compare the x250.5 to the 436 to have a fair comparison.

Have you thought about McIntosh ?? For that kind of money you can get some great used McIntosh Stereo Amps 402 or 602 for example

[wettou]

This summer, I upgraded my amp from Denon 5803 to Denon AVP-A1HD/POA-A1HD to feed my N803s and the improvement was great. Since I am in Japan, Japanese makes are the cheapest making Classe very expensive relatively to Denon. My Denon exceeds all my requirements, yet it is not as beautiful and highendy as Classe thou! My question is wheter Classe is overkill for N803 and wouldn't it make the speaker appear too bright by its perfection! My impression is that Denon is a bit warm and thus makes N803 less bright. I might be wrong as I have no experience with Classe or Mctosh!

Shortly I will be upgrading to B&W 803Ds and I am afraid that Classe clearly outperforms my Denon with those speakers.

Abbey Road studios has 801s with Classe amps so it seems to be the best match for those with money.

Miyuki :brunette:

Yes Classe is overkill with 803N, but with 803D they are really nice just get the CA-2100 it is very very nice combo, and you won't need movers to lift it

The Denon AVP1 in the US is only $500 less than Classé how much is it in Japan?

Also Denon includes every technologies you can think of HQV Realta, Audyssey MultiEQ, THX Ultra2Plus.... Where as Classé SSP-800 has DD and DTS and not even the new codec yet.....(soon to come mid 2009 may be?)
On the otherhand I had the pleasure to listen to the SSP-800 and it is very sweet and looks really cool especially matched with Classé speakers :T

[RobP]

Classe would be a great match for the N803, not overkill at all. I have run a few different brands on my N803s and the Classe amps that I have used have been the ones that really made them come to life, the CA2100 would be a contender, but the Ca2200 would be a perfect match. Any brightness that you are hearing from your 803's are more than likely the rooms acoustics.

[Blessedi]

Thanks. I have not heard Mac/B&W combo before, is it too warm sounding when compared to Mark or Pass? I don't really like my sound to be too warm, heard the sonus fabour cremona before, didn't really appreciate it though many like its warm sound.

[Miyuki]

Yes Classe is overkill with 803N, but with 803D they are really nice just get the CA-2100 it is very very nice combo, and you won't need movers to lift it

The Denon AVP1 in the US is only $500 less than Classé how much is it in Japan?

Also Denon includes every technologies you can think of HQV Realta, Audyssey MultiEQ, THX Ultra2Plus.... Where as Classé SSP-800 has DD and DTS and not even the new codec yet.....(soon to come mid 2009 may be?)
On the otherhand I had the pleasure to listen to the SSP-800 and it is very sweet and looks really cool especially matched with Classé speakers :T

Ineed, the Denon POA-A1HD requires movers :cry:
I got my AVP/POA separates for $9000 (JPY 1,000,000 @ JPY/USD 110.0) including interconnect cables, delivery, setup and tax.

Miyuki
:brunette:

[wettou]

Ineed, the Denon POA-A1HD requires movers :cry:
I got my AVP/POA separates for $9000 (JPY 1,000,000 @ JPY/USD 110.0) including interconnect cables, delivery, setup and tax. Miyuki

You mean both the preamp and amp? Whoa how can they charge so much in the US?? How much is Classé SSP-800 in Japan?

[Miyuki]

wettou,
Yes, both -- on the other hand, Cables, stands, Classe, Mctosh, Rotel, B&Ws, etc are very expensieve here.

[wettou]

wettou,
Yes, both -- on the other hand, Cables, stands, Classe, Mctosh, Rotel, B&Ws, etc are very expensieve here.

Whoa that is a major deal, in the US the Denon AVP1 is $7500 Classé SSP-800 is $8000 so it makes no sense to buy Denon

[Blessedi]

Err,.. sorry but I need to get back to track abit. Can anyone tell me if Pure Class A like the XA100 have any problem driving the N803 in a home theatre application?

I am a bit concern about its 100W of power in such an arena.

[Miyuki]

wettou-san,

The product offering by Classe here in Japan is very scarce and I can't find any SSP-300, 600 or 800 processors in Tokyo. I found CA-M400 and CA-2200. The list price for CA-2200 is $8,500 (8,500,000 @ USD/JPY = 100). Used price is JPY 500,000.

May I ask why you think Classe 800 processor is better than Denon AVP-A1HD?

When it comes to Classe in general, those are also very expensive, in terms of electricity. Maybe it has to do with Classes class A design as standby effect of CA-5200 is 348W and for Denon 0.3W.

Look at my humble setup below, full of Classes and 800Ds --- sorry, I lied! It's not my room

Cheers,

[wettou]

wettou-san, The product offering by Classe here in Japan is very scarce and I can't find any SSP-300, 600 or 800 processors in Tokyo. I found CA-M400 and CA-2200. The list price for CA-2200 is $8,500 (8,500,000 @ USD/JPY = 100). Used price is JPY 500,000.

Ouch that is expensive

May I ask why you think Classe 800 processor is better than Denon AVP-A1HD?

Just because it is, no I am just joking I have never had the opportunity to compare the two side by side. I heard the Classé many time and am planning to buy it soon in 09

When it comes to Classe in general, those are also very expensive, in terms of electricity. Maybe it has to do with Classes class A design as standby effect of CA-5200 is 348W and for Denon 0.3W. Cheers,

Yes no very green