Hi Naim Forum members, I am not new to the forum but first time posting. Just wanted to know if anyone owns a set of Bowers and Wilkins 802D? If so, what Naim power amp are you using or other brand amp? Just trying to find the best power amp for my speakers.I would prefer to stay with naim.
Hi Greg, and welcome
Have you had a Search? I put ‘802d’ into the box and generated a lot of posts.
https://community.naimaudio.com/search?q=802d
Bruce
Hi BruceW thank you for the respond will have a Search
Great place to start, there’s a vast amount of experience and knowledge to tap into here.
Your profile says you are already using the 300DR with the 802D. Are you thinking of changing that? It is always worth sharing what you like or dislike about your system, how flexible you are to changing any or all of the components and (crucially) your budget!
Bruce
Looking at web enquiries, are you looking at a pre-loved set? If so, there are various reviews available on-line e.g. Stereophile, albeit you need to be careful with the year and model numbers.
IME, which is borne-out in the Stereophile review (from 2005), while the larger B&Ws can be driven with amps like NAP300/500s, the ‘speakers are power-hungry so, ideally, they require much more powerful amps. It’s very much a case of ‘your own ears’ and musical tastes.
As you can see in my profile, I run 804D2s from a NAP200. Advice I got at the time was that a 200 would be the minimum recommended. Never tried anything more juicy with my speakers, but the 200 seems to do a jolly good job to my ears, including at high volumes.
There are a number of Naim dealers in the UK who are also B&W dealers - I would suggest contacting one of them. I’m sure they’d have plenty of good advice and would be happy to let you hear some different amps powering the current iteration of the 802s.
Mark
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Hi Happy Listener many thanks for the respond will have a look at your suggestions
Hi BruceW
Yes I am thinking of changing the amp I’m thinking of a NC350 amp probably used , just wanted to know if anyone used a NC350 with a 802D and what’s the results
Is your system as listed in your profile?
If so, what is it that you think you are missing that requires an Amp change?
At first glance it would appear that this should be a well balanced system with a truly marvellous Amp in the 300 DR.
I ran one of these for a while, but upgraded to a pair of 350’s last year when I did a radical system change.
The 350’s are a fabulous upgrade, if your budget will stretch to them.
Had you also considered a source upgrade, such as a 555PS for your NDX2 or perhaps an ND555?
A good dealer should be able to help you with options.
Good luck 
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Hi Ebor, I had a nap 250-2 for a while before upgrading to a 300dr. It was a worthy upgrade but for me, I need tighter grip on these speakers.
Audition a pair of 350’s?
I have a pair of 802D3 which I run with a 500DR. I had the amp before buying the speakers hence unable to comment on what extra this amp brought to the speakers. Might be worth considering if a decent offer pre-owned can be located fairly local to you.
Peter
I would definitely try a pair of 350’s then Greg.
Absolutely love mine.
Hi Quicksticks, what you’re suggesting is what I am thinking NC350. I am happy with the source at the moment though.
Last year source was my biggest problem, which kicked off the complete system replacement process. Coming away from the 282/300 system was hard, but the final outcome was so very satisfying, if a rather costly exercise…
I think you’ll be surprised and thrilled at the difference between the 300DR and a pair of 350’s.
If i remember correctly the 802D can be biamped ( i had 803Din the distant ) .That leaves another option . A pair of pre loved NC250s would be excellent at a much more friendly cost . I biamp my ATC50s with NC250s and it works superbly .I changed my 1 month old 300DR for NC250 , I found the 300 underwhelming compared to the new 250.
I have been running my 802D2’s (bought 2012) with a NAP500DR (bought 2004) for many years, as you can see, with excellent results.
I am more than happy with the combination and have never thought or been tempted to change them.
Richard
Sorry for the late response, I just wanted to say a big thank you to each and everyone for your hifi wisdom. 500dr are a wish - if I had the budget! A used NC 350 is a more affordable option, I will audition before committing and will let you all know how I get on.
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You’d require 2 x NC 350’s, no?
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Yes, unless wanting mono!