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B&W 805S & BAT VK300x SE Integrated. Synergy??

I have the above speakers(805S, NOT 805 Signature), hooked up to Sony SCD-777ES SACD Player with Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II interconnects and Satori speaker cable. I listen to all sorts of music except classical. I love the speakers and changing them just yet is not an option.

The BAT VK300x SE Integrated is the amp I'm eyeing, it beat out the McIntosh 6900 and Gryphon Diablo to my ears. This is the amp with the 6H30 supertube...fast, neutral, dynamic, beautifully layered, incredibly transparent and great bass.

The highs however had a slight edge to them, which might be because of the tube used.

Since the B&W 805S can also have a tendency to sound a tad bright in the highs, I'm wondering if the BAT will exacerbate this effect.

Sadly, I cannot audition my speakers with the amp.

So I ask you, can anyone articulate the sonic character of the 805S and perhaps shed some light on any synergy issues that I might want to watch out for.

The other option is to get the 6922 tube version BAT integrated but I don't want to exercise it unless the SE is a lost cause with my 805S.

Another interesting spanner has been slung into the works by the CD player. Though I love my Sony SCD777ES, I am in lust with the looks and sound of the Cary 306 SACD player (which apparently uses the same transport as the Sony SCD-1 flagship). Plus Im intrigued about how an upsampling player can rejuvenate my old collection of CDs.

Even though I heard the Cary for just 2 minutes it sounded decidedly different to my Sony player.

Has anyone paired this player with the BAT integrated and what were the results. If not, I'm also open to informed judgements about what I can expect from this union, from people who may happen to know the character of both these devices.

Thanks
papi_chulo
steveaudio
328 posts
 
I don't have any direct answers to your questions, but a couple of observations that might (?) help:

I'm using my 805Sigs with a Cary 303/200 CDP, Cary SLP98 preamp, & a C-J MF2500A amp, & am very happy with the combination. So replacing the Sony with a Cary player might be a good idea.

Also, I found that putting the Sigs on great stands (instead of the b&w stands) almost completely cured any brightness issues.
chazzbo
1,006 posts
 
Really nice combo.B&W's don't "need" tubes the way some other speakers do and the BAT is nmot overly euphonic or warm.And the power rating of 150 watts is just right to top out the 805's.I tried a 300 wat Adcom stck and had to run it in passive mdeo because it was just way to much power.An oppttion is to get your Sonny moddded if you have some left over budget and I'd use Sounbd Anchor strands instaead of B&W's.The B&W's are expansive and Bob Warzalla owner of Soiound Anchor found that 805's sound beter with mass loading at top of stand instead of bottom the way B&W made them.I think he is best stand/raclk builder inn the buisness and new B&W's are like the old Matix series they can't not be helped with heavy iron especially if you have wooden floors..Good rack,some cones,neutral cables and yoiur all set.
Chazzbo
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The other option is to get the 6922 tube version BAT integrated but I don't want to exercise it unless the SE is a lost cause with my 805S.

Papi_chulo (Threads)
Why is the 6922 version only a second-rate consideration? You have significantly more tube rolling options, and you can easily address the tizzy highs with tubes. Is there an advantage to the 6H30 version in some other respect?

07-17-06: Chazzbo
Really nice combo.B&W's don't "need" tubes the way some other speakers do...
I have heard the 805S come alive with a tube amp in a way they never did with SS.
papi_chulo OP
11 posts
 
Thanks guys, I think I'm going for this combo.

Tvad, I haven't eliminated the 6922 version yet, in fact I'm just letting it sink in slowly. I just cant see myself opening the unit and changing tubes ever so often. Can I ask, however....is it easy to open up the amp and change the tubes. Does the packaging from BAT contain an Allen key or something similar?

Just to clarify, I really liked the SE version, I'm just questioning if I can live with such a lively sound day in day out, over a long time.

Some say that there are tubes out there that can replicate the 6H30 tube sound, is this right?

BTW guys, my 805S sit on a pair of Partington Dreadnought Ultima stands and if there are sturdier stands I have yet to see them. Its a one piece construction that is constructed entirely of some sort of proprietary damping material, so the stands need no filling. In fact if you tap your finger anywhere on the stands all you get is the dullest of thuds, no resonance at all.

I think the little brightness that exists is because my room is quite spartan with almost no damping to speak of.

PS. Can anyone (perhaps you, Tvad) comment in a bit more detail on the sonic character of the BAT 6922 Integrated?
jeffjarvis
257 posts
 
.

Do you have the 805s bolted to the plate?
Just curious.
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