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Does anyone have any experience trying to Drive B&W series 80 801s with a Mac Tube amp?

I'm running B&W 801 Matrix Series 2 with McIntosh tube power. Mine is currently a passive bi-amp configuration using MC-30s driving the mids and tweeters and a Rowland Research model 5 solid state amplifier driving the lower frequencies.

I've tried the MC-30s full range on these speakers and the results were acceptable but not stellar. I was left wanting more.

The current bi-amp configuration sounds absolutely amazing.
 
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I have used both one and two in mono MC275s to drive DM6 B&W back in the day and this combination sounded great. I have also used one MC275 MKVI to drive the modern 800D and this worked well. I would suspect you may be happy with a MC275 but as outlined above it all depends on your preferred listening level.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
nj pheonix said:
OK,
I follow you completely on this and i pretty much assumed this from other things i've read and experienced.
So, Let's try this backwards for a moment, Let's say for arguments sake you have a pair of MC60s,75s or a 275 , and a 2300,2500,2600,72720,302,352, 402 ...you get the gist. You're looking to expand (read improve your current listening experience by way way of speakers) and would like to have the option of enjoying them with both your tube amps and your SS state amps. I accept there are trade offs with trying to maintain both directions (biamping is also an option i haven't explored). So, thinking current product or relatively recent production speakers what path or paths would you suggest? Money is in fact an object here. Value has to figure largely into the equation.
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Have you considered Klipsch RF-7 II? (I’ve never heard KEF speakers, so I can’t offer a comparison.) The RF-7’s are full range, and are capable of significant dynamic impact, are relatively efficient, and can sound great with a tube amp. Size is relative – they’re not as wide as La Scala – but they’re not small speakers. They’re currently available on-line for significant discount, and IMO represent a great value in terms of a new speaker. I’m achieving excellent results with RF-7’s driven by an SET amp that’s putting out approximately 10wpc. Just about any push/pull tube amp will have adequate power. (I have 7189, 7591, EL34, and KT88 push/pull amps in my system with the RF-7’s - ranging from approximately 18wpc to 58wpc – they all have adequate power.) RF-7’s can sometimes be a little bright (depending on the recording, amp, room, etc), but this can be managed via tube selection and/or tone controls. My MC30s and MC275 are in a different system (driving Snell Type CV) – but I imagine that the MC30 would be a great match for RF-7’s (more so than the MC275).

With RF-7s you can choose from a wide range of amps, and you won’t need bi-amping or subwoofers (unless you’re trying to rattle pictures off the wall with low frequency effects in movies). Tube amps and Klipsch go together like peanut butter and jelly. With some amps – particularly solid state – you might want tone controls – depending on your room and your tastes.

Here's a thread about RF-7 II's: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/some-love-for-rf-7-iis.575090/
 
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I really prefer Snell to B&W and some earlier B&W. The latest B&W aren't my favorites either. I might prefer one model of brand x and another of Y and yet can't stand most of the other models. I like Cornwalls, but not other Klipsch. I like JBL 4435 and a well taken care of L300, but find other models not to my liking. Altec Model 19 if up to snuff is good, and Altec 604G can be good but other variations not so much. The same goes for the 15" Tannoy coax. I only like Mac XR290's and accept XRT-28 and for old time sake XR-7, but they all need a lot of power. Snell A7 Phantom is so much like my augmented Bozaks as to be scary. Bozaks take a lot of work to sound great. Unless you find Symphonys with B-200Z tweeters, then all you have to decide is if you want to bi-amp, recommended, or to rebuild the passive crossover. (94 db efficiency) A bi-amped Symphony with a 275 on top and 7100 on the bottom would be amazing in the right environment. I'm not really a horn lover, but the JBL 4435, can be amazing, and all you need is around 100 watts, but would handle a MC2300 if you want to blow the walls down. Altec model 19 sound great with a MC 7200. You haven't lived till you have heard the big Snell with Mc 2301's, but that will blow anyones budget. Ev's old Model 6 and Georgian were fantastic with their paper woofers, but won't handle much power and I don't know if they could be fully restored. If you are a do it yourself person you might want to visit Bob CRITES WEBSITE. You might want to build yourself your own Cornscala. A Urei 813 professional monitor is a big ugly beautiful speaker. If you want a speaker out of left field, try a pair of KLH 9's or Acoustat model 6 or 8, but they will be all wrong in the final analysis. There was the giant ADS speaker with the 2 14" woofers, and 5 mid domes and 1 tweeter. They were fantastic, even if colored. All I can recommend is go out and listen to live unamplified concerts and then audition lots of speakers. You'll know the sound you want when you hear it.
 
I had Cornwalls on my radar. I do appreciate all the input. I always liked bozaks, perhaps because we had them when I was a kid growing up (a lot of space ). I'll have to travel down the journey a bit more. Thanks again
 
You know, every speaker represents a compromise. Having said that, I've heard many quality speakers over the years that sounded quite pleasing to my ears when set up properly in the correct space.

In fact, I'm hard pressed to say that I don't like a single brand of quality speakers because they sound "bad." I remember setting up my dad's ancient Cerwin Vega R24 speakers with an MA6200 that I hooked him up with. I had low expectations as I'd been spoiled by great sound by my much larger Altecs driven by an MC240. I couldn't have been more wrong! I had put the CVs on some short angled stands and toed them slightly. That system sounded just incredible and my father enjoyed many of his recordings all over again.

As audio folk, we really should exhaust all possibilities before declaring a given speaker (or speaker brand) sounds poor. It's all in the synergy.
 
It's funny you say that. I was eyeing the initial speakers of the original post. My gut tells me they're probably excellent (and from what I understand better liked than the newer versions ). Rightly or wrongly my gut tells me too that the 352 would play nice with it, but I'd never use my 60s and that would be a sin. I am eyeing some legacy audio Classics. Perhaps they fall into the same category but slightly more forgiving as far as powering them. Then there are the Cornwalls I was looking at. Veryou intriguing, I will say I had a pair of Heresies which I hated (I'm not sure they were ever right when I had them). I do have a small underlying fear the Cornwalls will sound like the heresies. I when on Bob Crites site and looked at the Cornscalas. That sounds pretty cool. Though they start to add up fast. I was figuring over 4gs before they're done. That's over my speaker budget right now.
There are also a couple of manufacturers that sell direct. I'm leary of buying without being able to hear. I am a bit intrigued by The Tekton OBs.
I'd like to audition those. I have so local places (people and shops ). I have more legwork to do.
Once again I appreciate the info, the ideas and the support
 
damacman said:
You know, every speaker represents a compromise. Having said that, I've heard many quality speakers over the years that sounded quite pleasing to my ears when set up properly in the correct space.

In fact, I'm hard pressed to say that I don't like a single brand of quality speakers because they sound "bad." I remember setting up my dad's ancient Cerwin Vega R24 speakers with an MA6200 that I hooked him up with. I had low expectations as I'd been spoiled by great sound by my much larger Altecs driven by an MC240. I couldn't have been more wrong! I had put the CVs on some short angled stands and toed them slightly. That system sounded just incredible and my father enjoyed many of his recordings all over again.

As audio folk, we really should exhaust all possibilities before declaring a given speaker (or speaker brand) sounds poor. It's all in the synergy.
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Great post. I would go even further to say that sometimes a system sounds better to me on some days and less so on other days. Anybody else experience that? Our hearing system and brain are part of this supply chain too. I still remember when I was 16 in 1985 and I heard Power Stations remake of T-Rex's Bang a Gong played wide open through my friend's system his dad got for him which included some heresy's and a Hafler amp. Then I said "wow, I want a system like that!" I wonder if I heard that stereo today what I would think. My guess is I would still like it..it just worked well together....
 
You never did tell us the size of your listening room.....so I will use a 16X18 room size which was a typical American LR before trusses changed floor and roof loading and allowed the huge great room sizes.

In the spirit of speakers for this room size that defined audio and would be happy with 60 watt mono block tube amps:

Dalquist DQ10s
Vandersteen 2Cs
ADS1090s
Quad EL63s
McIntosh XR16s
B&W 803s
Magnepans Small

There are obviously many more that I can't think of now, and all deserve a listen for any audiophile looking to educate themselves in the evolving of speaker design
 
Ok The room isn't a rectangle. Its in a basement. Probably beat described shaped like an old German potato masher grenade. My listening area the larger portion Rectangle (rather than the handle, off to the side) about 17' x17' just under 8' ceiling. Even that isn't entirely accurate because a stairway comes down behind the front wall so its approximately 3 and a half foot deeper on one side for about 5'. Sort of why i was reluctant to go there (i know your reason for asking was important. I was under the impression that maggies and quads were difficult loads (having a large following). I also thought they needed to get out into the room which made them less appealing to me. I was at a Vandy demo not that long ago not 2s (much higher ups 5s and 7s)I wasn't loving the 5s but the 7s were impressive (it might've had something to do with the 100gs of source and electronics).
I will try and hear your suggestions. I can be stubborn. I appreciate your patience with me.
 
There are so many great speakers out there that work well in that typical sized space.

Off the top of my head I tried to remember speakers that I have represented and/or installed so I probably have voicing curves somewhere for the actual responses in real rooms and locations.

I am surprised more posters have not chimed in with their experiences and favs.
 
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