Rega Aetheos, Simaudio Moon 340i or NAD M33 for B&W 805s?


I know picking a integrated amp by it's depth is wrong BUT I'm stuck with this situation (depth of my cabinet is 16½"). I have B&W 805 D3 speakers and presently running them with my old NAD T752 amp (have a newer Denon but much too thin and bright for the 805s so I brought back my old NAD).  I mostly listen via turntable and streaming Amazon HD thru my Fire Tv, I plan on getting a BlueSound node if whatever amp I get doesn't have streaming capability.  Power wise these 3 should be just fine but with absolutely no high end shops anywhere near me I'm stuck choosing by users & reviewer's take on these 3 amps.. My main worry is getting a amp that's too bright for it would definitely be a bad match for the 805s.

I'm hoping someone here has or heard these amps with the 805 D3s and could give me their thoughts and opinions.. 

capt57

None of those three options is particularly bright.  Tonally, they are exactly what you are looking for.  I am not sure that Rega is the best option because I have read it struggles a hair with lower impedance speakers but I do not have direct experience with that.  That would be my only caution.  I am not recalling where I read it but for some reason I am thinking that sub 6 ohm speakers are not ideal. 

There should be no matching issue with SimAudio or the M33.  

The other option you could look at it is Naim.  Both the Supernait and the Uniti series are shallow and tonally spot on what you are looking for.  The latter of course has built in streaming capabilities.  

I like Naim because it thrives with low impedances due to its matching with Focal.  

Full disclosure, I am an NAD and Naim dealer.  I have no relationship with Rega and Simaudio other than I am a happy former owner of a Brio R.  

Rega and Simaudio are fine choices and I have owned both units in question as well as the NAD M33 and it's life was very short in our home (quality issues).

 

 

@Verdonaudio . I am sorry to hear the Aethos could possibly struggle with my speakers, didn't realize the 805s is considered a low impedance speaker?? The Rega was on the top of my list..

@jerryg123 yeah I'm not surprised there are issues with NAD, I'm pretty disappointed in the direction nad went since my T752, especially leaving A/A/B class amps for D

It was not from a review, it is in the manufacturers stated specifications.  

Power outputs at rated 230/115 V supply voltage:
125 W RMS both channels driven into the rated load of 8 Ω
156 W RMS both channels driven into 6 Ω
Note: Continued high level use into 6 Ω may cause the case to exceed 40 °C above the ambient temperature and activate the thermal shutdown.

The min impedance on the 805 D3 is 4.6 ohms so not particularly low but low for pairing with this amp, problematic.  

Ahhh.. thank you!!! Pretty disappointing, especially since I had a line on a lightly used Aethos for $3600(I believe it’s a demo)but so glad you told me, saved me possible grief later on👍. I took it for granted being 125wpc from a class A amp in a high end amp I’d be perfectly fine.. Shows you what I know lol..

Well with the M33 and Rega crossed off my list in open to any other suggestions that would work for me with the 805D3s..