Thanks for the suggestions George. I probably shouldn’t have take this thread off topic by asking for suggestions. My bad. There are plenty of threads on that topic. But...
I’m currently running a CA-2300 with my 802D3s (both bought used) and am very satisfied with the combination. I will say, on very quiet passages, I can hear the air movement from the fan. This has pushed me away from the CA-M600 that was suggested. But, the upgrade bug has hit.
With the MC611 out, there are lot of used MC601s on the market.
I’ve run the 802D3s with a very nice tube amp, 75 wpc Kt88. Sounds good, but a little loose and bloated in the bass with a very very slight glare in the upper mids. Mathematically, and to my ear, tubes and 802D3 are not the best match. (Still on the hunt for speakers for my tube rig)
My my concern is that Autoformers may have a touch of that (obviously nowhere near as much as tubes...especially with 600 SS wpc!) without the magic of tubes.
Just to get a feel for the Mac “sound” I listened to a MC452 with 802D3s in a poorly set up big box store. (The 601s we’re hooked up to Maggie’s, and they didn’t seem inclined to move them...they knew I was “window shopping) Seemed warmer, yet slightly less detailed than my 2300. Overall, I preferred my CA-2300, way better staging and presence, but that is likely more to do with the room.
Way off topic and rambling. Probably just keep the CA-2300.
I’m currently running a CA-2300 with my 802D3s (both bought used) and am very satisfied with the combination. I will say, on very quiet passages, I can hear the air movement from the fan. This has pushed me away from the CA-M600 that was suggested. But, the upgrade bug has hit.
With the MC611 out, there are lot of used MC601s on the market.
I’ve run the 802D3s with a very nice tube amp, 75 wpc Kt88. Sounds good, but a little loose and bloated in the bass with a very very slight glare in the upper mids. Mathematically, and to my ear, tubes and 802D3 are not the best match. (Still on the hunt for speakers for my tube rig)
My my concern is that Autoformers may have a touch of that (obviously nowhere near as much as tubes...especially with 600 SS wpc!) without the magic of tubes.
Just to get a feel for the Mac “sound” I listened to a MC452 with 802D3s in a poorly set up big box store. (The 601s we’re hooked up to Maggie’s, and they didn’t seem inclined to move them...they knew I was “window shopping) Seemed warmer, yet slightly less detailed than my 2300. Overall, I preferred my CA-2300, way better staging and presence, but that is likely more to do with the room.
Way off topic and rambling. Probably just keep the CA-2300.