I hate to revive an old thread but recently I had the opportunity to run my 801-2 with a Musical Paradise MP-501 Mk2 and I was left in awe. My current Bryston 7b's and BP25 sounded thin, grainy and lifeless in comparison to the 60w tube amp. I swapped in the Bryston equipment now i am left disappointed with my system and considering going tubes. I'm not sure if a Tube Preamp with Bryston amps are the cure but you can definitely run the 801's on tubes and be happy.
B & W Matrix 801 S3 and tube amplifier
I cannot find an impedance graph for B & W 801 S3.. The manufacturer states min impedance of 4 ohm and recommends amp of at least 50W. I am wondering if a 60W tube amp such as Conrad Johnson MV 60 or Premier 11A would do the job for mostly low level listening in a small-mid size room. Does anybody have experience with similar combination ? Would ss Conrad Johnson amp be a much better match ?