Well, it has all changed again, I should just relist it as it has changed so many times since creating this as the "3rd" system. One thing is for sure, Ever Evolving has been accurate.
Awesome little digital tuner from the late 1980's.
Audio Note AN-Vx - Interconnect
I have two sets; I run one from my CDP to preamp and one from my tuner to preamp. Symmetrical 99.99% silver litz coax 20 strands 0.09 mm
Audio Note AN-Vz - Interconnect
Silver IC, 1m RCA
Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval
Constructed of pure silver over a stabilizing strand of oxygen-free copper, woven into a patented hollow oval geometry in an oval-coaxial configuration. 9 gauge.
Clearwave Loudspeaker Design Symphonia 72R
The Symphonia 72R has a custom sandwich layered non- resonant 2 inch thick front baffle with a solid hardwood layer for driver de-coupling. The drivers are flush mounted level to the front baffle to eliminate edge diffraction, and the driver openings have chamfered flares at the backside of the opening to eliminate early reflections inside the box. Top of the line RAAL tweeters and Accuton drivers.
Wadia 170iTransport
I use this with a 160g iPod Classic.
PS Audio DigitalLink III
Mine has the Level 4 Cullen modifications.
Furman IT Reference 20i
This power conditioner and protection unit has made the biggest difference I have ever intruduced into a system; I wish I would have purchased something like this a long time ago!!!
I talked with a saleman that also uses this exact (MA2275/B&W 802D) combo at home; he mentioned a B&W rep that also likes this combination a lot. I never did ask if he changed the power cord though. Did the setup(s) that you heard have the stock PC? I am wondering if mine is simply bad.
Hey Brian! Welcome to the McIntosh world and glad to hear you are loving it (I just saw your forum post about it). I have heard the 2275 twice now, the second time on 802Ds, and I agree with your assessment. One heck of a soundstage is right! It is cool to see someone making such a big amplifier change and be really happy with the result.
System edited: I sold the kW500 and replaced it with a McIntosh MA2275 (tube) Integrated amp. I also sold my Virtual Dynamics David IC that I was using on my tuner, I hope to purchase another IC soon, for now I am using my trusty Cardas Micro-twin on the tuner.
With two kids in college I really have a conveluted set of priorities but here goes: dCS Vedi dCS Purcell dCS Elgar Plus RDP1 digital pre- 2 Pass 600s Vonn Schweikert VR-9m's (custom, The Best!) Verbatim cables & cords Simple, musical, and no BS which is so common in this hobby! $100,000 give or take a grand or two considering ceramic cable lifts, cones, assorted platforms, romm treatments etc,and no vinyl.(can'thave everything).
Let me note that if you contact B&W they may send you the spikes free of charge, which they should in my opinion.
I do not find my system to be warm or analytical, the kW500 is not a warm sounding amp; I find my setup to be neutral. I dont blame you for wanting to hear first, it is a lot of money and we all have our own tastes. I purchased mine without hearing first, but I had heard the 803Ds and was using Signature 805s prior to my purchase. If you are near southwest (lower) Michigan you are welcome to come over.
If playing CDs I listen to Jazz, Gospel and a small variety of other forms, like Rock, in its various forms. I also listen to my tuner and satellite radio a lot, generally easy listening and smooth Jazz. As for volume level, 9 oclock would be my average; when critical listening to a CD I may turn the volume louder, such as 10 oclock or so, it depends on the CD, I do not listen real loud, though my wife may argue that.
B&W speakers should be able to handle all you could throw at them. I had an issue with a preamp in the past when using my S805s where the preamp would randomly go full volume when adjusting the volume, very scary sounding, literally blowing my hair back in one instance, this would cause the amp to go into protection. Each time I thought for sure the speakers were toast but they never missed a beat.
I have never tried the phono section of the kW500 so I am no help there.
Thanks for the reply Brian. I will take your advice and order the spikes with the speakers. If the speakers are not bright with the kw500, do you find them warm or more on the anylytical side? Wish I could hear them for myself (with my eqiupment) before buying them. Just curious, what type of music do you most often play and what volume?. My choices vary, but I do tend to listen at loud levels (in my last post, I indicated I had the volume at 1000 - I should have been more clear - meant 10 o'clock volume position:I use the 24 hr clock frequently where I work). I assume these speakers will be able to handle almost anything the kw could throw at them, or do I have to watch it? Lastly, have you tried the phono stage of the kw? Do you know if I can switch between mm and mc? I just ordered a Rega P9 and am contemplating outboard phono stage (Slee?). Thanks again. James
No need to apologize for asking questions. Brightness is not an issue in my system. Let me note though that I didnt like the combination of the kW500 and the A5 CDP, finding the A5 cold and sterile; I thought I gave it plenty of break in. You mentioned a volume setting of 1000, where are you getting this reading? The kW500 doesnt have any markings. I have found the kW500 to be a great match with the 802Ds, preferring it over a Classe Delta series amp and preamp; I now question if there was an issue with that amp. I dont feel that listening to the N803s will give you an idea of what the 802Ds sound like, there are many differences so I would not suggest you waste your time doing that. I dont have any regrets with my purchases but I will note that I feel the 802Ds take 5-6 months to fully settle in, they will change a lot the first week but still change months down the road. If you purchase the 802Ds be sure to get the available spikes, they make a difference.
Brian, I am thinking about purchasing the 802D's. I too, have a kw500, A5 CDP. You seem to have had good synergy with this combo. One question, is your system bright in any way? I auditioned the JM Labs Diva (about the same price point) in my system and was less than impressed. Sounded okay till about 1000 on the volume, after that were almost unlistenable. Results verified by several friends. I am kind of worried about purchasing 802D if they are overly bright as well. I did hear them with about 30K worth of Classe gear in Vancouver and they sounded fantastic. Wondering exactly how good they do sound with the kw. Also using a Hydra 8, shunyata python helix all around and the Harmonic Tech Magic interconnect if that matters. I can audition the 803N, that is the highest B&W speaker I can check out in my system where I live before I order the 802D.Do you have any advice, concerns that were not previously mentioned and things you may do different? Sorry, lots of questions. James
Thanks for the kind words and the tip. The eBay ad is unauthorized use of my photo and I have contacted the person letting them know; I have tried contacting eBay but their Contact link isn't working at the moment, I will continue to try.
Congrats on the addition of the Meridian G08 CD Player. I bet is sounds fantastic. Are you happy with the change after living with it a while? Hope you are well.
You shouldn't tell me stuff like that Paul, it may lead me to another change! :) What preamp is your buddy using? Also, is his 275 a Commemorative Edition or original?
Correct, the MF doesn't lack in power; that is one thing that drew me to it. I am sure lack of power is something you do not have a problem with either.
Thanks Blue, there have been a few iterations hasn't there? I have not heard the A5 integrated, sorry I can't help. As for MF being polarizing here on AudiogoN, I think some, if not a good share, of this comes from Stereophile's many reviews of their products.
Hi Brian, I've always liked your system (all of their many iterations!). Have you heard the MF A5 integrated? If you have, I'd like to know your opinion. MF seems to be a rather polarizing brand in the A'gon, almost like Krell. Best,
I purchased my Luxman tuner last November (2004); while it is a great performer, I wouldn't classify it as gorgeous, so I suspect what you saw was an older model Luxman tuner.
When I compared my RCA version of the Virtual Dynamics David to the Audio Note, the Audio Note is the clear winner in my system. The David was brighter, a bit of an edge; the AN was more natural sounding and 3D, it is a great cable. (It should be at these prices.) I still use the David on my tuner.
I saw a gorgeous Luxman tuner for sale on Audiogon a few weeks ago. Was that the one you nabbed? I've always loved my Virtual Dynamics power cords, both Audition and Nite. I used to own AU24 interconnects as well. How do the Davids sound in comparison?
It's always fun to see your system evolve. Nice job!
Jhorton, I did not look into the Sophia's before my purchase of the 802D's; I basically jumped into the 802D's. I was VERY happy with my Classe/B&W S805 system and after hearing the new 803D's and liking what I heard I ordered some 802D's, that's the short version. Being very happy with my system I thought I was just going to make a speaker change, it didn't work out that way.
Anyway, while happy with the 802D's, I would recommend looking at the Sophia's too, in fact I wouldn't mind hearing them myself! :)
As for N802's vs. 802D's, I only heard the N802's once at a dealers. There have been quite a few changes between the two speakers and most say the improvements are easily heard, but you are talking a vast price difference between the two with the offer you have been given. The N802 has been a very popular speaker and may be something you could enjoy for many years.
System edited: Ok, I have finally gotten around to updating my system. I have been using an Audio Note AN-Vx interconnect from my CDP to amp for several months now. When I switched to the Musical Fidelity amp I could no longer use XLR's. A friend brought over his Audio Note AN-V interconnect and I really liked how this cable worked in my system and shortly after this an AN-Vx came available so I purchased it. These cables are very understated in their looks, they look like something you might receive included with a new VCR. A very 'natural' sounding cable, no hype; they are also very pliable. I also started using a Meridian G08 CDP about a month ago. I have had interest in this CDP for awhile and yet somehow forgot about it when changing CDP's; I used to use a 508.24 years back. The G08 is a wonderful CDP in my opinion and works better in my system than the A5, better in every area, there isn't one area I prefered the A5 in my system; I am not saying the A5 is a bad player, the G08 is just the superior CDP, and much more expensive. While Meridian has improved their system remote, the MSR, I still think they should include a standard "candy bar" style remote with their CD player; this would be my only complaint.
