New Bowers and Wilkins 606 S2...which amp?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the What HiFi community: the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products.
D

Deleted member 195594

Guest
Hello

I have a new pair of B&W 606 S2s arriving today. Modest...but just what I need and, more importantly, what the current budget determines!

I'm thinking the Cambridge CXA61. Any thoughts?

....... but will be interested to hear how Spirit of Eden, Solid Air and Five Leaves Left pan out.

Nothing to add on your speaker choice; but your music choice is right up my street - 3 of my favourite albums 😎👍

Good luck with your search
 

SteveH72

Well-known member
Feb 25, 2020
171
155
4,770
Visit site
I’m sure the CA amps are very good. I personally wouldn’t pair them with B & W speakers but, if people enjoy the combination, fair enough.
I referred in a previous thread regarding the 606 S2 a conversation I had with a B & W representative who said the 606 S2s need at least 40W, so I would bow to their expertise that neither 25 nor 35W is sufficient. They’ll make them work, but not to their best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al ears
I’m sure the CA amps are very good. I personally wouldn’t pair them with B & W speakers but, if people enjoy the combination, fair enough.
I referred in a previous thread regarding the 606 S2 a conversation I had with a B & W representative who said the 606 S2s need at least 40W, so I would bow to their expertise that neither 25 nor 35W is sufficient. They’ll make them work, but not to their best.
I would suggest that the current delivery capabilities of an amplifier would be more important than the watts per channel, or perhaps the B&W rep was being cautious because the 606's may not be as efficient as quoted?
 
  • Like
Reactions: rainsoothe

SteveH72

Well-known member
Feb 25, 2020
171
155
4,770
Visit site
I would suggest that the current delivery capabilities of an amplifier would be more important than the watts per channel, or perhaps the B&W rep was being cautious because the 606's may not be as efficient as quoted?
Or, if I were a real cynic, because they recommend Rotel amps to drive them, and Rotel don’t sell amps with less than 50W power…..
However, they do dip to 3.7 ohms so can be a little thirsty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al ears

manicm

Well-known member
I would suggest that the current delivery capabilities of an amplifier would be more important than the watts per channel, or perhaps the B&W rep was being cautious because the 606's may not be as efficient as quoted?

The impedance is almost always more meaningful than the sensitivity, and as SteveH72 states, the claimed minimum impedance for the 606 S2 is 3.7 ohms - which is not high and an honest figure. I still think the CA AX A35 may pair admirably with them. It has a good power supply.

And it's not uncommon for amps to actually exceed their stated power on paper from honest manufacturers.

Also it was stated somewhere that B&W themselves did extensive testing on the 606 with 30w amps.
 
The impedance is almost always more meaningful than the sensitivity, and as SteveH72 states, the claimed minimum impedance for the 606 S2 is 3.7 ohms - which is not high and an honest figure. I still think the CA AX A35 may pair admirably with them. It has a good power supply.

And it's not uncommon for amps to actually exceed their stated power on paper from honest manufacturers.

Also it was stated somewhere that B&W themselves did extensive testing on the 606 with 30w amps.
3.7 is not exactly an extremely hard drive, they are not exactly Apogee Scintilla's, most amps will handle 4 ohms easily so not sure why the AXA35 might struggle unless it is considered to have poor current delivery
 

gasolin

Well-known member
My Mission lx 3 MK II goes down to 4.1 ohm, my Cambridge audio AXA25 drives them well and have no problem playing loud.

In fact my missons are rated at the same specs as the B&W 8 ohm 88db (how much the difference is between my mission lx 2 mk II and B&W 606 s2 i don't know), with my settings i can have a very usefull volume below 8 o'clock, loud at 10 o'clock (still a smooth traveling of the volume) with 12 o'clock or above still sounding clean (depending on the music your playing, my cd input is lowered so it macthes my pc and turntable), a nice range of usefull volume.

The advantage of my amp is it never seems to get bright when playing loud like some amps can do when pushed a little and it's very clear at low levels, for low back ground music the amp is perfect, no channel unbalance like some have written and it sound clear open.

Cambridge audio don't rate the wattage at 4 ohm but you would never know if my amp is 2x35 or 2x50 watt in 4 ohm, it just plays my music loud if i need to listen at loud levels (enought for nearfield listening to be loud and enought to annoy my neighbours at 12 o'clock play edm).

Ps my amp is maxed out as much as i can't, without going crazy all i can do,improve is a better soundcard,dac, which is on it's way.

That one is a keeper, that's how good it is, i have already spend + 200 euros extra on the amp
 
Last edited:

manicm

Well-known member
My Mission lx 2 MK II goes down to 4.1 ohm, my Cambridge audio AXA25 drives them well and have no problem playing loud.

In fact my missons are rated at the same specs as the B&W 8 ohm 88db (how much the difference is between my mission lx 2 mk II and B&W 606 s2 i don't know), with my settings i can have a very usefull volume below 8 o'clock, loud at 10 o'clock (still a smooth traveling of the volume) with 12 o'clock or above still sounding clean (depending on the music your playing, my cd input is lowered so it macthes my pc and turntable), a nice range of usefull volume.

The advantage of my amp is it never seems to get bright when playing loud like some amps can do when pushed a little and it's very clear at low levels, for low back ground music the amp is perfect, no channel unbalance like some have written and it sound clear open.

Cambridge audio don't rate the wattage at 4 ohm but you would never know if my amp is 2x35 or 2x50 watt in 4 ohm, it just plays my music loud if i need to listen at loud levels (enought for nearfield listening to be loud and enought to annoy my neighbours at 12 o'clock play edm).

Ps my amp is maxed out as much as i can't, without going crazy all i can do,improve is a better soundcard,dac, which is on it's way.

That one is a keeper, that's how good it is, i have already spend + 200 euros extra on the amp

GENERALLY, if a manufacturer does not state power at 4 ohms, it means they did not design the amp to run as such. I have two examples somewhat:

1. One of the midrange Rega amps above the Brio are rated at 4 ohms, but Rega caution against running on said impedance for sustained periods at high volume. But otherwise yes, it should have no problem at all.

2. Denon specifically requires speakers rated at 6 ohms or above for the Ceol N10 mini system.

Otherwise I agree that most amps like the AX35 and above should have no problem with a minimum 3.7 Ohm load.
 

gasolin

Well-known member
I can say as much as my amp can def handle my Mission lx 3 MK II, no overheating not even in a 25-30 c warm room (77f -86f). My spakesr ands the B&W 606 s2 are rated at 8 ohm, they just go down til around 4 ohm

2022-07-20 10_44_26-Can I use 4 or 6 Ohm speakers with the AXA35_ – Cambridge Audio Support – ...jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: manicm

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts