Best Tube Based Options For B&W 803S Speakers

Bullitt731 hi,

This is the only impedance graph I could find, and yes it does look to be tube friendly for good push pull tubes with low output impedance.

But this graph needs to be read in conjuction with a phase angle graph as well, and there are none of these around.
If the phase angle dips to -30 or more degrees at the 3ohm to 4ohm impedance between 50hz and 700hz, which some of the later floor standing 8 series do, then this can then look to the amp as a 2ohm or even lower impedance.
And a tube, even good powerfull one may sound a bit light on in the lower mids and upper and lower bass, and therefore maybe sound too lean and bright overall.

So unless you can find a phase graph, I would stay clear of tubes and even wimpy solid state.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?14694-Test-in-STEREO-803s-against-803d&s=bd734233c26b3cfa17fa522d0de3e468&p=191324&viewfull=1#post191324

Cheers George

Loaned my brother my Cary SLP-05 tube preamp hooked to his SS musical fidelity amp... Got rid of any remaining sibilance on his. 804 Diamonds... Fantastic sound.

"As far as Stereophile goes, I think you'll get a better sounding system doing just the opposite of what they say."

Wow, why didn't I think of that? Go exactly the opposite direction. So I presume you're a big fan of Bose maybe?

About the Matrix 800 series tweeters, if you care to read more
http://www.stereophile.com/content/bw-matrix-805-loudspeaker-page-2

Quoting the reviewer Larry Greenhill "The 805's tweeter is almost in a class by itself."

Other rave reviews
Matrix 800
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/691bw800/index.html

Matrix 801
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/506/index.html

Yep, these speakers are true MONITORS and will indeed reveal what is in the source material. You need good equipment to match with these speakers -- otherwise you are wasting your time. Poor recordings will be bothersome. And BRIGHT recordings will sound harsh. There is your "ice pick" reference.

I don't blame the speaker for that. Obviously you do. To each his own.

Unfortunately I just don't have the access to the lines required to go forward with moving tubes into this system at this point. Perhaps a recommendation of a dealer specializing in tube equipment could help my local shops are just not very tube friendly.

Also for those reply's suggesting a new speaker to audition I am ALL EARS. I will be upgrading in 2015 keeping in mind I have owned the B&W 803s, 804s, and 805s and have a $6K budget new or used. I will be heading out to the next RMAF and hope to expand my sonic expectations there. I'm looking for a floor standing "British Sound" speaker I guess suited to Jazz and Vintage Rock predominantly listening to Redbook CDs.

Much appreciate any insight along these lines.
Thanks

This is easy - British sound, $6K budget new/used, for jazz & vintage rock...buy the best pair of Proacs you can find & afford. If you end up staying with solid state, you'll be great. If you end up going tubes, the Proacs will kiss you on the lips.

I've walked a similar path as you...moving up the B&W line, solid state to tubes, exploring new "British sound" frontiers, and I don't think many people would dispute a Proac recommendation at your budget.

(I'd also tell you to look at Wilson Benesch - I have a pair of Arcs and love them just as much as my Proacs, but at your budget it may be harder to find a pair of floor standers. But either way, Proac or WB, I think you'd end up happy, again just from my own experience which sounds similar to yours)