Upgrade Conundrum..Pairing Wadia+Classe

[Diapason]

One consequence of all the above is that I have been spending too many hours listening to fragments of music over the last 10 days or so, trying to problem discern/solve. As we say in Kerry, 'I'm gone simple from it'.

Again, very familiar with this one!

[bod]

I was sure you could adjust the output level from the 861 when connecting directly to a power amp no? You can on the 302. Anyway, as far as I know above 66 on the digital volume control with give 16 bit resolution (again I though this issue had been addressed in the SE model but I`m not sure...or don`t want to remember my time on the floor in Blackrock :-). 802`s need plenty of space for da bass! Also, the change from the IT to Classe will be a shock - more bass yes, but possibly a lot less of the IT`s qualities that you`ve become used too. Good luck with the mission!

[bod]

BTW - as much as I love the IT I couldn`t live with it due to it`s lack of bass control/output, whatever it is! It wasn`t for me. Bryston on the other hand is music to my ears and `tis but a 60 watter. Krell KSA 50 (or 80 (original version - eBay or Audiogon) was the best amp I have ever heard driving 802`s. Match made in heaven.

[mcq]

With regards to the bass issue with the 802Ds, have you considered the Finite Elemente B&W Cerabases? These are a custom-made version of the Cerabases which are designed especially to support the 800Ds and the 802Ds and they - apparently - work wonders with controlling bass resonances. I have a set of the regular Cerabases under my rack and they are very effective. Pricey, though. The Townshend Audio Stella Stand might be a cheaper option.

When I had my Spendors with the 861SE and the Lavardin IT, my preferred setting was to have the amp volume at 12 o'clock and the Wadia volume between 70 and 75. (Wadia recommend a minimum volume level of 65 when using the Wadia direct to a power amp.) I lost a little of the huge dynamic range that the Wadia has to offer but I gained immeasurably in a more intimate and immediate sound. It just seemed to gel better to my ears. And when I moved to the Meridian, I retained this setup. With my current system - DB7/IT15/808.3 - I have returned to using the preamp section of the Lavardin.

I have used the Lavardin IT with the Spendors and the IT15 with the Spendors and the Kharmas and at no time did I feel that the amp lacked any kind of control over the speakers. These speakers are what I would call "moderate" loads. The Kharmas are rated at 4 ohms and 88db sensitivity and the Spendors - although having a nominal load of 8 ohms - have an average load of 5.6 ohms and can dip below 5 ohms. They are also rated at 88db. You could try the MAP monoblocks which could apparently drive the older - and much more difficult to drive - B&W Nautilus 800s with ease, but the new 800 series are much easier to drive.

[bod]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Krell-KSA-80- ... 2c68a24630



BARGAIN! Can someone please buy this for me?!!!!! :-)

[Marcus]

Absolutely agree with Diapason regarding the placement of the 802s. Tricky little suckers. I have them too and I don't want to go into how many adjustments I have made to get the sound right - I threw the standard triangle theories and angle to listening position on placement out of the window with these.
Imho they work far better out into the room, away from back and side if possible, and wider than recommended to the chair with around 2 inches toe in from flat. Then for me the 3D deepens and the bass lightens up and becomes much tighter - I know this is down to my room shape and probably not helpful for your situation but I know exactly what you mean.

Good luck with working it out!

[dhyantyke]

Absolutely agree with Diapason regarding the placement of the 802s. Tricky little suckers. I have them too and I don't want to go into how many adjustments I have made to get the sound right - I threw the standard triangle theories and angle to listening position on placement out of the window with these.
Imho they work far better out into the room, away from back and side if possible, and wider than recommended to the chair with around 2 inches toe in from flat. Then for me the 3D deepens and the bass lightens up and becomes much tighter - I know this is down to my room shape and probably not helpful for your situation but I know exactly what you mean.

Good luck with working it out!

Interesting. as mentioned above I did have the speakers out in the room about 5ft from the rear wall and 18" from the side walls: this position arrived at mainly to solve the standing up/sitting down bass issue. I recently spiked them and moved them back to about 28" from the rear wall , still 18" from side walls.. The up/down issue is not any more apparent (?) though I'm not sure what to put this down to!
Toe in is also aprox 2" as well. I have a feeling that I will continue from time to time experimenting further with placement.
My listening position is aprox. 1.5 times the distance between speakers, but I have flexibility here. Where I don't have room is on the sides i.e. the room is narrow.

[dhyantyke]

Otherwise, thanks for all the feedback.
I am still in experimental mode, having also quarintined the room for one day and restricted listening time over the week: deprivation in this case being good for the stress levels.
I think I am on the way to a solution and will post details when deals are done!!

[bod]

KRELL KSA 80!

[Marcus]

Otherwise, thanks for all the feedback.
I am still in experimental mode, having also quarintined the room for one day and restricted listening time over the week: deprivation in this case being good for the stress levels.
I think I am on the way to a solution and will post details when deals are done!!

Looking forward to hearing your update. I hope you enjoy the Classe amps, they certainly get glowing reports with the 802s.