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

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.

Jeff,

Is the Capri the answer to your prayer?

Please share,

Kenobi

Sorry, haven't been around for a while. Kenobi, actually no, the Capri hasn't been the answer to my prayers. It sounds perfectly fine, and over time has begun to sound slightly better than the Sunfire pre/pro's "source direct" mode (it's best equivalent to pure analogue preamp), but it is not a huge, or even moderately big difference. I am somewhat disappointed that 4k (1900 used) in standalone preamp did not make an appreciable difference. However, I spoke to an audio mag reviewer who said that the preamp performance is being limited by the Sunfire amp. I've just picked up a pair of Nuforce ref9v2SE mono amps, so we will see if that's correct. The Capri is just an exceptionally well made piece though. It's just beautiful, and works so smoothly and flawlessly. It also allows me to compare it directly to the sunfire by using the bypass feature. We shall see.
As for the harshness, it just isn't there on well recorded jazz albums, my primary listening. It's there on bright recording, ie, Phil Collins, especially his horn section. Might just be good audio equipment revealing poor recordings. I must say, I've been enjoying the heck out of my music and SQ lately, as I stick with good recordings.