Best 'mid priced' Amp & CD Combo for B&W 703's?

[Lewisimo]

As above please. I have posted a thread in the Rotel owners section as I was considering moving to Rotel gear - the thread is here and gives an explanation of my predicament:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=32335

Now i'm not sure what to do, whether I could just change the CD player to a better model (as some have suggested on other forums) but the sound is very much the same from my ipod when run through the A85, so I think it's more the ampilifier underpowering the speakers? I have a high quality Russ Andrews Kimbre kable lead to connect the ipod so there is no issue there - what can you guys recommend in order to achieve a better bass response? I did think of a sub, but that's another speaker, and I don't want things too cluttered!

Oh I have read the 'which electronics thread' too!

Thanks,
LEwis

[MikeFL52]

I have looked at your other thread and included photo. The response from speakers is often room and speaker position dependant and I think you may be able to improve the sound with some repositioning.

Also at one time I had a pair of CDM7NTs (somewhat similar in sound to the 703s) and they were not that prominent from a bass perspective, especially compared with Mission speakers. They were clean and tight but not as bass loaded as the Missions.

Arcam equipment in general is very good and I believe that they should be able to drive the B&W speakers and as someone suggested on the other thread you may be better spending money on a sub (there are some very good direct buy subs out there nowadays) rather than upgrading all your electronics.

You mention the Ipod sound also being less than expected, but remember that the D/A converter in the IPod is very cheap and therefore so long as you are taking analog out of the Ipod (either through the Ipod connector or the headphone connector) rather than a seperate D/A converter (there are a few out there) then you will be limited by the Ipods D/A converter as well as the format that you use to store your music.

I would also do some audtioning before leaping into new electronics. I believe the UK still has some good HiFi dealers (becoming more of a dying breed here in the US)

[jam200]

I have a pair of the 703's driven by a Rotel RMB-1075 at 125 watts per channel. Bass response is great through the 703's, but I also have a B&W ASW 750 subwoofer that really drives the bass. It's a good combination with the 703's. I am receiving a Rotel RB-1070 tomorrow that I will use to drive the 703's separately from the remainder of my surround system, which includes a HTM7 Center Channel speaker, B&W 685's as surrounds and 602's as center backs.

[wgriel]

I'm currently powering some 703s with a Rotel RB-1070 and it's got plenty of punch in the bass department. It's possible that your lack of bass is more of a room issue than amplification though.

If it's possible to try an amp at home first I'd recommend doing that before spending any significant amount of money.

[joetama]

I answered in your other thread.

But I will comment in this one as well. I've run a jumble of amplifiers on my 703 from small wattage vintage receivers to large PA amplifiers. I've found that 100 Watts will get the job done but the 703 really show their dynamics and strengths with 200 Watts+. Currently I'm running a 400 Watt MOS-FET amplifiers on my 703s with a future plan (if I ever get around to rebuilding one of the amps) of bi-amping the system. Now I realize that is TOTAL overkill especially if I ever pull the trigger on bi-amping. But, the key thing I've noticed in bass response is with more wattage it gets dry and cleaner not louder and more powerful.

[altanpsx]

Try Roksan Kankdy MKIII, it was driving my ex 703's very well. Also you may consider new Roksan K2.

[robert L]

my 703's r being drivin by rotel rmb 1095 200 watts per channel with rotel rsp1068 pre amp and these babys humm! dont forget the rcd1072 cdplayer

[BWLover]

ya what robert said !