B&W 805D alternatives

Private sale of the 805D is going to net $3000-$3500, based on most recent sales records available. This puts the budget $5k, give or take. 75 wpc with KT88s is fairly dynamic but focus on high efficiency +/-87 dB. Is the preference to stay with monitors or full-range floorstanders?

Agree with the others that it's hard to make good recommendations without knowing what you'd like to improve, but I don't blame you for having the itch. IME B&Ws are good sounding speakers, but when compared directly with some other good brands they sound kinda flat and lifeless -- just my opinion and my ears. Also, if I owned B&Ws I just wouldn't power them with tubes (unless you can afford high-powered tube amps), not that they can't sound good with tubes but I've found they appreciate and wake up more with some good solid state power driving them. Again, just my experience.

Two makes I've heard that sounded much better to me and that are more tube friendly are Joseph Audio and Silverline. Their imaging and soundstaging are far superior to what I've heard out of any B&Ws, and if those aspects of sound are important to you they could be well worth checking out. I've read one of the strengths of your amp is its soundstaging ability, so there may be more to be had there. If you're looking to stay with monitors there's a nice pair of JA RM7XLs for sale here, and if you're open to floorstanders there's a pair of Silverline Sonatinas (latest model, albeit one speaker has some scratches) that are both in your price range. Personally I'd take either of those in a heartbeat over the 805Ds, but again that's me.

Hope this helps, and best of luck in getting rid of the bug.

I replaced my 803 with 802Diamond and added another MC275V. My system now make me dance and smile, never find myself sleeping again. With efficiency rating of 88dB on your speaker, you need to get another MC275 to drive them. The more power the better. Your speaker alternatives - look for speaker with efficiency rating of 94dB or higher.

I owned the B&W 802N and later the 800S. When I listend to the 800D I knew I would not buy it.

When you want to go further in the world of highend a deep and wide stage is a very important part what sets it to a new dimension.

B&W weakest point compared to competitors are their crossovers. Their stage is a lot less wide and deep. A deep and wide stage makes music so much more involving and instruments and voices become more apparent.

In 2007 I started to sell 3 dimensional sound. These days I only sell 3 dimensional sound. I use shops with 2 dimensional sound to let my clients hear how big the difference is. And it is huge!!

I compared the 805D with the Monitor Audio PL-100 a few years ago. The Platinum speakers give a much wider and deeper stage. Also there is more dacay and instruments and voices are more physical touchable.

Magico also give a much wider and deeper stage compared to B&W. But you need an amp which also can give a deep and wide stage.

Without an amp or source what can give a deep and wide stage it is still useless.