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Integrated amp recommendation for B&W 805 D3 (Peachtree, Parasound, Hegel, Schiit?)

Hi, I just bought a pair of used B&W 805 D3 with the stand. I want to upgrade from my current Peachtree audio Decco 65, which sounds fine, but I am sure the B&W deserve better. I would like to spend around $2K for the amplification. I am OK buying used or refurbished. After reading a lot of reviews, I am considering another integrated amp, like the Peachtree Nova150 ($1800) or Nova 300 ($2500), Parasound Halo Integrated ($2500), Hegel H80 ($2000). Another possibility would be the Schiit Audio Ragnarok ($1700) and a separated DAC maybe the Schiit Audio Gungnir.

Any recommendation?
stelo
auxinput
1,538 posts
 

I have B&W 805 D2 speakers.  Generally, you want high current large power supply amplifiers for this speaker.  In your choices, I would go Parasound Halo Integrated because it has the largest transformer and power supply.

I would look at the audioaficionado forums for B&W.  They have a specific subforum for B&W only.  AVS is just painful to read nowadays due to all the paid advertisements (pages are slow to load and can lock up Internet Explorer from all the gunk in the pages).

213runnin
562 posts
 
Yeah, AVS is painful.  Between the ads and those pushing their agendas instead of agreeing to disagree, I tend to go elsewhere.  I concur with the Parasound comment too.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
I also agree with the above Forum Opinion. I used to be a regular poster their not anymore. I find the crowd too aggressive in pushing their agendas and marketing products. Specially the 20,000 Plus HT Equipment Threads. That Forum is also now run by a company for profit rather than by Audiophiles or those into Audio in general.

lewinskih01
793 posts
 
Stelo,

I've had B&W 804S for several years since they were the new thing. At the time I upgraded amplification I did some listening at audio stores carrying B&W and different amp brands. I really liked McIntosh. My final audition was with the 804S and a Mc system where we switched from MC252 (250W solid state) to MC275 (75W tubed). I preferred the MC275 and have had it since. It has enough power for the 804 so I imagine it also does for the 805.
There is a McIntosh integrated that has the same amp section as the MC275. Maybe you can get one used?
nyaudio98
158 posts
 
Parasound..integrated..has a very good dac built in. 
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