There are many threads on this that are worth a read.
I too have B&W804D3s. An olive 250 made them work well, but a swap to 300 DR made a big difference.
Several people have commented that the new NC250 is close in performance to the older 300DR. At the listening session this week, Naim used a NC250 to power ÂŁ34k of huge Focal speakers and it worked well, so I can well believe that the NC250 is close to 300DR. I am sure 350s will be even better with your speakers, but the NC250 or 300DR may well be all the power amp they ever need.
The olive and Old Classic pre-amps and streamers all need a PS to be at their best/ work at all, and digital sources and preamps get different PSs - all benefit from a better PS. NC boxes have an internal PS but using a separate NC300PS or OC555PS is a big improvement.
Mixing different eras can often work well, but listening before buying is a good idea if you can and you need to get the cables right.
In your situation, I doubt that I would be satisfied for long by adding a Hicap to the SN3 (good upgrade though that is) or by adding a 250 of any era and using the SN3 as a preamp. Mind you, if picking between those 2, Iâd definitely get a Hicap.
My suggestions for those speakers would be, in increasing SQ:-
- Olive 82/ Hicap/ 250
- 282/HCDR/250DR
- NC-style 222/NC250
- Olive 52/SC/250
- Old Classic style 252/SCDR/250DR
- NC-style 222/300PS/ NC250
- NC-style 332/ 300PS/ NC250
- Olive 52 or OC 252/SC or SCDR/ 300DR (not earlier 300 power amp)
9.Olive 52 or OC 252/ SC/ 500 (DR or not)
- 552/300DR
- 552/500
Many will say that 6, 7 and 8 are a bit different but comparable in SQ or that the above order is a bit wrong.
A smaller number, including me, marginally prefer option 1 to 2 and option 4 to 5, but thatâs a minor presentation difference only.
Others may well argue that a 552/300DR (or perhaps even 552/250DR) is better than 52 or 252 with 500.
If you never use a streamer, then a 222 may not be the best VFM for you.
I would also spend money on taking the already excellent LP12 up a stage or 2 before I considered options 9, 10 and 11.
There are remarkable bargains to be found on eBay at the moment, helped by people switching to NC.
Also, your speakers are good enough to justify spending c.ÂŁ20k on 4 second hand boxes, but that doesnât mean you owe it to them or anyone to upgrade at all, or beyond a line drawn by you- your ears, preferences and budget will all matter more than any upgrade table.
Good luck!