Nuforce step up from Sunfire for B&W 803N?


Have Sunfire TGA5200, which does 5 x 200/400wpc into 8/4 ohms, powering B&W N803. Looking at adding separate 2 channel amp for possible SQ upgrade for fronts. Is the Nuforce 9v2SE for the front two channels an upgrade? It's only rated at 190/300wpc but obviously power isn't everything, and I've heard that it has awesome bass and great clarity. However, the disparity does concern me a little as the N803's really need stable power into 2-3ohms. Would pair with tube pre, which I'm also looking into to upgrade over HT pre/pro. Just to add one more clarification, if anyone starts adding other amp suggestions, amp needs to run cool and be less than 5" high, which kind of limits me to Class D. Thanks much...Jeff
jeffkad
Jeffkad reading your thread Tvad gave the best advise, you can save your money buying used by getting a loner from Nuforce to audition most are broke in so that would not be a issue and you could hear if thats the amp for you.

I've been using Ref 9 SE V2s driving Tyler Linbrook Sigs. The impedance at 4 rated ohms is not steady and makes your amp work hard. It appears that your B&Ws are similar. To compare the two i haven't had any issues with my Nuforce amps and most of my listening is classic rock at high DBs. Thats not to say you will be satisfied. Also i use a tubed preamp in the sound chain. Hope you get connected with a amp that pleases you time is a wast-in.

BTW i do understand your thought of having a 2 channel dedicated system. Surround sound only can take you so far. And if your 2 channel system is set up right you get surround sound.
FWIW, when I auditioned the NuForce amps, the price the dealer offered unsolicited when I was ready to return the amps was less than they were selling for used on Audiogon.

No, I won't disclose the dealer's name.

This is my system:
Loudspeakers:
Silverline Sonata III loudspeakers

Amplification:
Pass Labs XA-60.5 monoblocks, Lamm L2 Reference preamp, Heed Quasar Phono preamplifier

Sources:
APL Denon 3910 Universal Player, Music Hall 25.2 modded by PartsConnexion as a transport, KAB Technics SL1210 MK II w/Dynavector XX2 MK2, KAB Fluid Damper, KAB Cardas Tonearm Rewire, KAB Power Supply
Squeezebox SB3 wirelessly connected to MacBook Pro

Cabling:
Purist Audio Venustas RCA ICs, KCI Silkworms ICs, Oyaide PA-02 balanced ICs, Gregg Straley Reality Cables bi-wire speaker cable

Power Cords:
Oyaide Tunami GPX power cables (amps, digital transport, phono preamp), Tekline Reference PC (APL Denon 3910), BMI Hammerhead MK II (preamp)

A/C:
Two 20A dedicated outlets, Environmental Potentials EP-2050 whole house AC filter/surge suppressor, Alan Maher Designs Reference Power Center V2

Stands, Isolation, Coupling:
Salamander Synergy Cabinet w/ sorbothane treated shelf supports, Sistrum SP-101 stands under speakers, Timberation 2” maple platforms w/Mapleshade 2” brass cones under amps, Neuance isolation shelves for digital source, preamp, and preamp power supply, Galibier Design/Timbernation sandbox under turntable
I love my nuforce amps, they are really really good you will be very happy with them. They will find weaknesses in you system if you have them. If you demo them be sure to demo the Black Noise Filters model(2500) with them. They make the amps even better. You need to leave the amps on for at least a week to really get the sound and they must be broken-in.
Well, went for a preamp first. About to pick up a Rowland Capri and see what that does for my system. I have noticed lately some hum and crackle from my mids and tweeters. Not sure if that's just low level amp noise or what. Also, have a little glare/harshness I'd like to get rid of. Starting to wonder which component is the culprit: B&W N803 (some history of this), the modded Denon DVP, or the Sunfire amp or pre/pro. First out, the pre/pro, to be replaced by the Capri. If that doesn't work, may try amp, then DVP. Otherwise, I may have to question the B&Ws, which I thought was the one thing I would never have to change. Hopefully the Capri does the trick.