Client has B & W speakers that he would like to use with-in a theatre and I am looking for something to drive them that I can control with URC. B & W = L/R 683/52, Center HTM6152, Surrounds DS313, Rear surrounds CCM 664. I was looking at Integra DTR 60.5. Looking at all options, ideas?

Depending on budget I always choose between the Marantz AV7701 or 8801. The amp I use varies but I don't really like the upper end Marantz. It is basically priced as an entry level piece but has plenty of headroom.

Amps I have used also include the ATI line.

Parasond also has nice amps.

I have been very happy with my NAD preamp and Parasound halo amps

You're just asking what some good totally high fidelity preamp/processors are, right? I hope that's the case. That's what has been suggested. But you're looking for something that will complement the speakers, implying there's a problem. They lack bass so you want an amp with a bass bump. That sort of thing.

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If I had a combination of speakers and amp that had some kind of detriment in frequency response, and I wanted the system to sound accurate, I'd look for a pre/pro with a similar but complementary deviation from true accurate high fidelity.

That's why I asked: are you looking for the best fidelity or are you looking to "balance out" a problem by introducing a complementary problem?

Also, what is complimentary to one, may be unbearable to another. :) Just sayin'.

I think, since this is such a subjective thing, and your client is the one whose opinion matters most, a question I would ask is what was he using to power these speakers prior? Was he happy? If yes, safe thing would be use something from that same manufacturer. If not, then at least we would have an idea of what to compare to. Otherwise you are going to answers all over the board.

I can tell you that B&W would recommend Classe or Rotel as they were designed to "compliment" each other. Or maybe it is just because they own both companies. ;)

It isn't cheap, but I'm pretty intrigued by the Audio Control AVR-6 and AVR-8.

I'd give Anthem a shot.

He didn't say complimentary, he said complementary.

Complimentary means saying nice things.

Complementary means filling in what's missing. Going with geometry, see the 90 degree angle below. The angled line measures 65 degrees from the base and 25 degrees from the upright. These angles complement one another and add up to 90 degrees.





A piece of audio gear that complements another piece fills in the performance holes in the second piece. That's why I said it would not be high fidelity. I doubt that such a thing exists, though a multiband equalizer is close.

I think he meant to say the other thing, and even if he did not, I think I know what he is trying to ask us. He wants to know what sounds "good" with B&W speakers as he is probably not familiar. Of course I may be completely wrong.

I use an Anthem AVM 50v with B&W signature sevens and am quite happy with the sound. The amp is a 7 channel Outlaw unit and the sub is a velodyne 12 inch.

Parasound is great sounding stuff for the money.... I prefer it over stuff that costs 5 times as much. Great value. Very musical, and dynamic.

You're probably not wrong.
Does anyone here disagree that the best sounding product will be the product that makes the B&Ws sound best?

Absolutely I agree. Who would not? Now who is right? That is the $64,000 question.

I've Done The Rotel amps and B&W speakers several times and very impressed every time. The last set up I did I used a Crestron Pad8 and an Ipad for control of 2 floor standing B&W + Sub in Great Room, 2 Book shelf B&W On top of Kitchen Cabinets, 2 floor standing B&W + sub inn three season room, several Rotel amps for rock speakers and rock subs surrounding an in ground pool. Amps are amazing and worth every penny IMO.

I used to work for an Anthem dealer... Out of about 25 Anthem receivers we had issues with 17!