Amplifier for B&W 685

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone,

I finally bought some new speakers....B&W 685.
Whether you like them or hate them, I have them and like them.

I want to test them out and have an old Pioneer SA-540.
Could I damge the speakers using this amp?

What new amp would you recommend I go for ?

My budget is around £500.

Thankyou

 

[Anonymous]

These are great speakers - recent supertest winner. I would suggest a Roksan Kandy MKIII amp (previous model) which you can pick up on E-Bay for about £300.00 + or thereabouts.

The B&W 685's thrive on a powerful amp to deliver their best, in my opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

I can't find any info on that Pioneer, only photos.

I would suggest turn the amp right down then start playback and slowly crank it up. If the cones start moving more than you think they should for the level of music, stop. But you aren't gonna blow them...

It's a shame your budget couldn't stretch a little further as the Roksan Kandy LIII and the Naim NAit 5i are suberb pairings with the 685's in my opinion, and both blow away anything in the £500 range. One thing, just avoid Cyrus.

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:

One thing, just avoid Cyrus.

I'm interested on your thinking behind this. Why???

 

[Anonymous]

This is not a sweeping statement, but Cyrus electronics need pairing well and with the 685's my ears were almost bleeding...

 

[Anonymous]

Thankyou all very much for the replies so far.
I really do appreciate all of your help.

I will actually consider the Roksan Kandy III.
Slightly above my price range but I think I could reach it.

I'll give it a go with the old amp today. I was just scared of wrecking my new pride and joy B&W speakers.

At the moment I have three possible choices. What do you think. Or any other suggestions?

- Roksan Kandy III

- Arcam amplifier maybe ?

- Denon 1500ae

I listen to progressive house, house, chill out, ambient, film soundtracks, progressive trance, experimental, music.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[Anonymous]

Definitely the Roksan. Master of all trades, jak of none.

 

[Big Chris]

New Kandy range is just around the corner, so expect to see prices for the amp & CD of the current version take a nose-dive.

I run B&Ws and an Arcam pairing and I am very happy with the sound. You could try to find a 2nd hand A85. There are normally a couple on eBay most of the time.

Also, check out Cambridge Audio, only available at Richer Sounds.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I've just been looking up reviews of the Kandy amp and although it is highly praised as an amp I have heard people saying it has it's own very particular sound to it.
I think I will have to go and demo it.

I've heard the Arcam A28 and it sounded good but slightly expensive.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I dont think you could go wrong with a decent example of an Arcam Alpha 9 or 10 integrated amp or the A85, if you can find one.

Also the FMJ A28 would eb a good partner also.

IMO id stay away from Cambridge Audio; i find that they dont gel well with B&W speakers, they sound too clinical.

The Roksan Kandy LIII would also be a good matching.

What CDP will you be partnering within the system; this is very important to know as well!

I listen to alot of modern electronic music (Daft Punk, Leftfield, Underworld, Layo & Bushwacka etc...) and also alot of Hed Kandi and found that the B&W 685's sounded sublime with a decent Arcam amp

 

[Dave_]

you can get an arcam a32 for under the 600 mark now, if you shop around, i know lintone in gateshead had loads of them, dont know if they still have, there's normally a few on ebay new/boxed for around the same money

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your replies.
I am finding your posts really helpful.
This forum and it's members are great.

I too am going to stay away from Cambridge Audio. I have a friend who has already had two amps go wrong by Cambridge Audio.

I am leaning more and more towards the Arcam A28.
I'm stuck between that and the Denon 1500ae which some people have said sounds more detailed.

Thanks for your help.

 

[John Duncan]

See if you can hear the Marantz PM7001KI, which is in your original budget. I love the standard 7001 and I'd expect the KI to be stonking - there are a couple of people here who have them, not sure what they're paired with.

 

[Anonymous]

To answer your question as to what Cd Player I will use with it, currently I am going t be using my computer with Audiophile soundcard.
The CD player upgrade will be once I have saved up more money.

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO for your music tastes and speakers, the Arcam would be a much better partner with the B&W's over the Denon.

I have heard the Denon and didnt like it's sound at all; to me, it was along the same lines as the C/A amps, very clinical.

The Arcam will offer you much better detail, deep and punchy bass, well timed midrange and smooth/sweet treble.

The B&W's will lap up the Arcams power and spit it out very, VERY well!

 

[d_a_n1979]

Snow_Owl:To answer your question as to what Cd Player I will use with it, currently I am going t be using my computer with Audiophile soundcard.
The CD player upgrade will be once I have saved up more money.

Well in that case i would still stump for a decent Arcam amp.

The upgrade potential from there is superb and ideal!

 

[Anonymous]

I think we have some similar interests in music d_a_n1979.

I've booked a demo tomorrow and am going to listen to the Arcam A28, Rocksan Kandy, and Marantz PM7001KI.

I will let you know what I end up with.

Thank you to everyone.
Your help has been much appreciated.

 

[drummerman]

Imo the Arcam FMJ A28 is ok if you like it sedate. Good facilities but a bit bland. The Denon is a fantastic amplifier, does most things well and kind of draws you into the music but less gadgets than the Arcam. Other than that an ex dem 8vs2.

 

[Anonymous]

Just get an amp with plenty of power - I've said it, and I'll say it again - B&W speakers need lots and lots and lots of power - I wouldn't even consider anything under 70watts per channel and I would go for 100watts to be on the safe side.

I have the Arcam A32 and it has tonnes of power and doesn't distort until you really give it some (-10db or so) so the Arcam you are considering should be nearly as good.

 

[Anonymous]

Hughes123:I've said it, and I'll say it again - B&W speakers need lots and lots and lots of power - I wouldn't even consider anything under 70watts per channel and I would go for 100watts to be on the safe side.

Just wondering what your thoughts would be if I said I had 50w driving my 805s?

 

[drummerman]

drummerman:Imo the Arcam FMJ A28 is ok if you like it sedate. Good facilities but a bit bland. The Denon is a fantastic amplifier, does most things well and kind of draws you into the music but less gadgets than the Arcam. Other than that an ex dem 8vs2.

I just read WH review of the 38. That was after I wrote the above ... and mentioned bland. 'Lacking drive' is an equally apt description but I'd have it over some other obvious choices which may impress more in a short dealer dem but perhaps grate and irritate in the long run which the 28 will not do. Its easier to acclimatise to a little bit less rythm or dynamics than harsh sonics. Still, I think you can do better for the money.

As to hughes123's suggestion of lots of power, I agree that you can't have enough but there are many more or equally important factors. Would'nt get hung up about that. The 28 has something like 100w/8ohm in some magazine measurements but it sounds less powerful and gutsy than some nominally less powerful amplifiers, even when playing loud but especially at lower volumes.

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:
Hughes123:I've said it, and I'll say it again - B&W speakers need lots and lots and lots of power - I wouldn't even consider anything under 70watts per channel and I would go for 100watts to be on the safe side.

Just wondering what your thoughts would be if I said I had 50w driving my 805s?

I would say it's not to my taste!

 

[Anonymous]

Hughes123:Octopo:
Hughes123:I've said it, and I'll say it again - B&W speakers need lots and lots and lots of power - I wouldn't even consider anything under 70watts per channel and I would go for 100watts to be on the safe side.

Just wondering what your thoughts would be if I said I had 50w driving my 805s?

I would say it's not to my taste!

Damn!! - And it was sounding so good as well. Back to the drawing board it is.

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:Hughes123:Octopo:
Hughes123:I've said it, and I'll say it again - B&W speakers need lots and lots and lots of power - I wouldn't even consider anything under 70watts per channel and I would go for 100watts to be on the safe side.

Just wondering what your thoughts would be if I said I had 50w driving my 805s?

I would say it's not to my taste!

Damn!! - And it was sounding so good as well. Back to the drawing board it is.

May I ask what amplifier is providing the 50watts?

 

[Anonymous]

You may, it is a naim nait 5i.