goosman wrote:2nd Rick wrote:Also, Steve's Hafler is a vintage piece and a solid performer. Hafler has been acquired by the parent company to Rockford Fosgate car audio, and their later offerings are usually garbage. Avoid.Hafler was shut down by Rockford-Fosgate a while ago FWIW.http://www.hafler.com is still there offering some info and whatnotGood to know. A friend bought one of the recent Haflers from some pro-audio wholesale place for a steal thinking it was a modern equivalent of the Haflers of old...It was not. I found him an NAD '2400 in great shape, and he is much happier.

I've been told that the B&W's require an amp that can deliver high current in order to sound their best. Tube amps and Brystons are a few amps that will fit the bill.I use a Bryston 3B.b&w

Thanks Bob.Related to this, does anyone have any opinions regarding bi-wiring for these speakers (or in general)? It seems to be all the rage within the music hi-fi crowd, but is it used much within the recording/mixing/audio engineering community?There are some comments to the effect that bi-wiring is really just a bit of a fad promoted by hi-end speaker cable manufacturers in order to shift a few more units... seems like there are plenty of pro-arguments as well of course.

I used to work at a high end audio store and we bi-wired everything for demo. I never heard the difference. But hey, I also played in a rock band so take it for what you will.I will say we sold twice as much speaker cable and that stuff ain't cheap. BTW the Matrix 801s are the best speakers I ever heard. I recommended them highly. We powered them with Krell.

So this power amp has to be paired to a pre-amp. Which one do y'all use?Thanks!!!

Or am I way off base because profession audio gear is line-level?

seaweedhead wrote:Or am I way off base because profession audio gear is line-level?Yes, the monitor outputs of the mixing desk feed the power amplifier directly. No preamp is necessary.

You might try Adcom. I have a GFA5500 (driving Matrix 801s) and rather like it. You do various mods and shit to them if you so desire.

Don't think I can spring for a Bryston just yet. Anyone used a NAD 2600a to power their 805s? Is it detailed enough to use for mixing? Would it be better or worse than a Hafler 500?

blue\_thunder wrote:Don't think I can spring for a Bryston just yet. Anyone used a NAD 2600a to power their 805s? Is it detailed enough to use for mixing? Would it be better or worse than a Hafler 500?Any opinions on Adcom GFA-555 or Acurus A200 amps with the 805s?