B&W 804 with ???

I'd go for a either a MOSFET/tube hybrid, a 50 wpc Class A SS amp or a strong tube amp. I've run my N804s with a couple of 16 wpc 300B SET amps and a Sugden Au51P power amp, and they just sing. A used push-pull tube amp mated with a passive line stage might be just the ticket.

For hybrids look at the various Blue Circle amplifiers. Currently BC24 and BC28, but also a used BC2 Mono's and the BC6.

Among the various speakers Blue Circle uses to demo their designs, it includes the Nautilus 804.

Are your 804 matrix or N series speakers? B&Ws are not bright speakers. The Halfer amp can be reasonably moded by Musical Concepts and they would sound great. I would say experiment first with the Halfer mod. B&Ws generally come alive with high current SS amps especially if yo uare going to really rock out. Borrow a different preamp to see what that does to your system. Other amps that work well with B&Ws, Bryston 4s, Krell KAV-250 come to mind for loud rock. What cables are you using?

Happy Listening.

The Aronov Audio LS960i is a no fuss tube integrated which can really give you natural and musical sound, including the bass that transistor fans swear is theirs alone.
Available used in the $1600 range, when it comes up on Audiogon. I mated it with top of the line Mapleshade power cord directly into the AC wall outlet, and for jazz, and rock, the drum kit provides explosive dynamics with great transient speed. Doesn't disappoint when it's just a fragile singer-songwriter with her solo guitar, either.

Thanks very much for eveyone's response. these are the Nautilus 804's, and, I just ordered some Audioquest type 4 cables (bi-wire). I will have to think about interconnects next. From the responses, power seems to be a common answer. Any thoughts on integrates...Musical Fideliyt, Simaudio ?? Thanks again everyone !