Music Gear for 804 Diamonds

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  • Black Tang
    Junior Member
    • Jan 2012
    • 10
    #1

    Music Gear for 804 Diamonds

    I purchased a pair of brand new B&W 804 Diamonds along with Emotiva XPA-5 amps (200W x 5) and Emotiva processor UMC-1 2 months ago.
    The home theater sound is excellent for what I need.
    However, I think I can get much better 2 channel listening out of the 804 Diamonds with the right gears.
    I have never own a 2-channel amp/preamp nor the intergrades so I hope you guys can help me make a better decision.
    I enjoy vocal/instruments the most, love the warmer sound and my maximum budget is $4,000 (the less the better of course).
    I have the following in mind and open for other options as well.

    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2 (300W x 2).
    Preamp: Emotiva USP-1.
    My current Emotiva XPA-5 amp sounds bright to me. Is Emotiva XPA-2
    Do I really need USP-1 or my current Emotiva UMC-1 processor is ok.

    Amp: Bryston 4BSST2 amp (300W x2)
    Preamp: Emotiva UMC-1 processor
    I’m thinking about a one or two years old 4BSST2 amp and upgrade the preamp later.
    I was told the new SST2 has a warmer sound than previous Bryston models. What is your experience?

    Integrated: Mcintosh MA6600 (200W x2)
    I’m thinking about a one or two years old MA6600. It should be within my budget.

    Your opinion is appreciated.
    B&W 804 Diamonds
    McIntosh MA-6600
    Emotiva UMC-1, Emotiva XPA-5
    Oppo BDP-105, Sony CD/SACD/DVD Player, PS3, Apple TV
    Tags: None
      • Bottom
    • stuofsci02
      Super Senior Member
      • Nov 2009
      • 1241
      #2
      Originally posted by Black Tang
      I purchased a pair of brand new B&W 804 Diamonds along with Emotiva XPA-5 amps (200W x 5) and Emotiva processor UMC-1 2 months ago.
      The home theater sound is excellent for what I need.
      However, I think I can get much better 2 channel listening out of the 804 Diamonds with the right gears.
      I have never own a 2-channel amp/preamp nor the intergrades so I hope you guys can help me make a better decision.
      I enjoy vocal/instruments the most, love the warmer sound and my maximum budget is $4,000 (the less the better of course).
      I have the following in mind and open for other options as well.

      Amp: Emotiva XPA-2 (300W x 2).
      Preamp: Emotiva USP-1.
      My current Emotiva XPA-5 amp sounds bright to me. Is Emotiva XPA-2
      Do I really need USP-1 or my current Emotiva UMC-1 processor is ok.

      Amp: Bryston 4BSST2 amp (300W x2)
      Preamp: Emotiva UMC-1 processor
      I’m thinking about a one or two years old 4BSST2 amp and upgrade the preamp later.
      I was told the new SST2 has a warmer sound than previous Bryston models. What is your experience?

      Integrated: Mcintosh MA6600 (200W x2)
      I’m thinking about a one or two years old MA6600. It should be within my budget.

      Your opinion is appreciated.
      Before you look at a whole bunch of other options, what is your source and how is it connected to your UMC-1?

      I have both the UMC-1 and the USP-1 and the USP-1 is better for straight stereo for sure.

      I would not upgrade the XPA-5 to an XPA-2.. Yes there is more power, but this is not your problem..

      Cheers...
      Main System:
      B&W 801D
      Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
      Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
      Oppo BDP-105
      Squeezebox Touch


      Second System:
      B&W CM7
      Emotiva UMC-1
      Emotiva UPA-2
      Oppo BDP-83SE
      Grant Fidelity DAC-09
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        • Black Tang
          Junior Member
          • Jan 2012
          • 10
          #3
          My source is a Sony CD/SACD/DVD player.
          It is not a good CD player and I'm replacing it soon.
          I connected it to UMC-1 with optical cable.
          B&W 804 Diamonds
          McIntosh MA-6600
          Emotiva UMC-1, Emotiva XPA-5
          Oppo BDP-105, Sony CD/SACD/DVD Player, PS3, Apple TV
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            • akhter
              Senior Member
              • Jun 2005
              • 266
              #4
              Consider a Linn Majik DSM. For source, I recommend using a NAS with all your music.

              503 Backend fetch failed
              http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Majik_DSM


              I had it with my B&W N804s and it sounded fantastic. Currently using with my B&W 802 Diamonds and it drives them well.

              You can try with your emotiva amps or the linn internal amps. The linn internal amps can be disabled to lower the load on the power supply and this improves the sound. Its a bit above your budget, unless you can find a used one. Mcintosh 6600 is also a great choice as I love the mcintosh sound.
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                • leo2498
                  Senior Member
                  • Feb 2012
                  • 370
                  #5
                  I'm thinking in a CP800 for my 804D, this one in the used market could be a 4k and it is under your budget with this you get two high end devices a preamp and DAC.
                  Leo,
                  Saludos
                  My HT: B&W 804D fronts, HTM4D center, 805D rears, Classe CA-2300 Main amp, Preamp Stereo CLASSE CP800, Preamp Multi Marantz AV8801, Parasound A31 center and Surround Amp, Source Oppo BDP-95 screen Samsung 55" UE55d8000 SVS SB12-NSD

                  Stereo: B&W 804S fronts, Pre: Denon AVR-2809 Amp: Rotel 1582, Source Marantz CD5004.
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                    • stuofsci02
                      Super Senior Member
                      • Nov 2009
                      • 1241
                      #6
                      Originally posted by Black Tang
                      My source is a Sony CD/SACD/DVD player.
                      It is not a good CD player and I'm replacing it soon.
                      I connected it to UMC-1 with optical cable.
                      I would start with the source and UMC-1 first...
                      Main System:
                      B&W 801D
                      Emotiva USP-1 Pre-Amp
                      Chord SPM-650 Stereo Amp
                      Oppo BDP-105
                      Squeezebox Touch


                      Second System:
                      B&W CM7
                      Emotiva UMC-1
                      Emotiva UPA-2
                      Oppo BDP-83SE
                      Grant Fidelity DAC-09
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                        • Briz vegas
                          Super Senior Member
                          • Mar 2005
                          • 1199
                          #7
                          A lot of good advice, but auditioning is very important to make sure you are getting what you want, thats the advantage of establishing a relationship with a dealer.

                          While I agree about the source you may also want to look at bass traps. The fuller bottom end may be there but its lost in the room. Easiest fixed if your room is dedicated as you generally get more flexibility.
                          Mac 8gb SSD Audirvana ->Weiss INT202 firewire interface ->Naim DAC & XPS2 DR->Conrad Johnson CT5 & LP70S-> Vivid B1s. Nordost Valhalla cables & resonance management. (Still waiting for Paul Hynes PS:M)
                          Siamese :evil: :twisted:
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                            • Black Tang
                              Junior Member
                              • Jan 2012
                              • 10
                              #8
                              Thank you all for your valuable advice.
                              I was thinking that a 2 channel amp would improve the music sound the most.
                              I guess I was wrong.
                              As Stuofsci02 said, power is not my problem.
                              A good DAC, CD player and preamp are my upgrade path now.
                              B&W 804 Diamonds
                              McIntosh MA-6600
                              Emotiva UMC-1, Emotiva XPA-5
                              Oppo BDP-105, Sony CD/SACD/DVD Player, PS3, Apple TV
                                • Bottom

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                                • Rod#S
                                  Senior Member
                                  • Oct 2010
                                  • 474
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by Black Tang
                                  I purchased a pair of brand new B&W 804 Diamonds along with Emotiva XPA-5 amps (200W x 5) and Emotiva processor UMC-1 2 months ago.
                                  The home theater sound is excellent for what I need.
                                  However, I think I can get much better 2 channel listening out of the 804 Diamonds with the right gears.
                                  I have never own a 2-channel amp/preamp nor the intergrades so I hope you guys can help me make a better decision.
                                  I enjoy vocal/instruments the most, love the warmer sound and my maximum budget is $4,000 (the less the better of course).
                                  I have the following in mind and open for other options as well.

                                  Amp: Emotiva XPA-2 (300W x 2).
                                  Preamp: Emotiva USP-1.
                                  My current Emotiva XPA-5 amp sounds bright to me. Is Emotiva XPA-2
                                  Do I really need USP-1 or my current Emotiva UMC-1 processor is ok.

                                  Amp: Bryston 4BSST2 amp (300W x2)
                                  Preamp: Emotiva UMC-1 processor
                                  I’m thinking about a one or two years old 4BSST2 amp and upgrade the preamp later.
                                  I was told the new SST2 has a warmer sound than previous Bryston models. What is your experience?

                                  Integrated: Mcintosh MA6600 (200W x2)
                                  I’m thinking about a one or two years old MA6600. It should be within my budget.

                                  Your opinion is appreciated.
                                  Well I can't speak for the Emotiva gear but I own the previous gen Bryston 4B-SST and I find it wonderful with my 802 Diamonds and I have a 6B-SST and it powers my HTM2 Diamond and again it is great. The Bryston gear tries not to color the sound, they shoot to be as neutral as possible allowing every nuance, good or bad of the source to come through. Thier amp generations are more evolutions than revolutions as they hone in on getting to perfect transparancey. At least that's my take on their philospohy. You can buy all kinds of amps that will color the source and a lot of people like to do that but if you want to hear it for what it is you can't go wrong with Bryston.

                                  Unfortunately I haven't heard any of the new squared amps so can't comment on the differences.

                                  Also something else you can't beat with Bryston is the 20 year warranty, unbeatable. These guys really take care of you.
                                  B&W 800 Diamonds (L/R), HTM2 Diamond (C), 802 Diamonds (SL/SR), Paradigm Signature Sub 25 (LFE), Reference Servo 15a x 2 (Stereo subs), Lexicon MC-12Bv5EQ SSP, Bryston 28B-SST2x 2, 7B-SST2x2, 4B-SST C Series, BDP-2, Oppo UDP-205, Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-150FD, Furman SPR-20i, IT-Reference, Eastlink Maestro PVR, Xbox One & 360, PS3, Siltech Golden Ridge II, Ruby Hill IIx2, 330ix2, Kimber Kable PK10 Gold, Tonic, PBJ, Cadence, HD19e, HD19, OPT-1, HDSW 4x1, Ixos 6003, Harmony 1000
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