I own a pair of B&W 803d's and am trying to find an amp that can power these watt hungry beasts. Several dealers are pushing me toward monoblocs but I would rather stick to an integrated amp to keep costs reasonable. My budget is up to $5,000, so I'm considering the NAD M3 or Mac MA5900. Any other good alternatives in that price range that would have the power AND quality I'm looking for? Many thanks!!
Personally, I would pass on the NAD. I don't feel it would be a good pairing with the B&W's. The Mac integrated will do a much better job. However, you should be looking for an amplifier that can deliver a fair amount of current into a reasonable low impedance load. There are better options for that function than a Mac integrated. If you prefer the Mac sound (why would you consider NAD if that's the case?), you might look for a pre owned McIntosh power amplifier. With autoformer outputs, the bigger Macs can handle most anything you ask of them.
Jan is right, although there are SOME people that do love their NAD/B&W combo, B&W will sound better with a more forward/ahhh sort of brighter integrate. AND..those B&W's sure could benefit, like JAN already said, by a huge Power Amp. Jan, maybe a nice big NAD power amp eh..lol jokes. Once you go MAC you wont go back Steve.
I think you guys are talking me into the bigger Mac, perhaps the MC402. Most of the dealers I have talked to are pushing the big monoblocs from either Classe or Mac. They do sound incredible, but I was really hoping for a Porsche this year. Looks like it will be the Cayman instead of the 911!!
There are at least 3 dealers in the Dallas area which offer MACs. One in North Dallas, one in the Plano / Frisco area, and one in Ft. Worth. I also know of a NAD dealer in the North Dallas area. I have heard the M3 and was not at all impressed. I was auditioning a Saturn through an M3 and my Apollo at home sounded better to me.
I eventually had an audition of a Saturn with a more appropriate set up and bought it.
Given that Classe has a very close relationship with B&W (owned by B&W?) they make for a good combination.
That said, I am somewhat concerned that your budget is really too low for these speakers and you should be looking at amps closer to $10k to provide the quality power you need to drive them properly. Furthermore, this should be fronted by an appropriate - and appropriately priced of course - source as in CD player, record deck which should be in the $6000 or better bracket.
There's little point in amplifying a crap signal and then ruthlessly revealing it for a crap signal via your very expensive high quality speakers!
Thanks for the help. I ended up going with the Mac MA5900. It was a horse race between Classe and Mac, and both were amazing. As you hear time and time again, when you listen to equipment of this caliber it comes down to the sound properties you like best. I guess I'm getting old, but the warmth of the Mac won me over.