McIntosh MC-611 Monoblocks, Bowers & Wilkins 802D Loudspeakers, Aurender A10 Server

Despite the challenging acoustics of air-walled conference rooms, retailer Audio Video Interiors produced extremely satisfying sound. True to McIntosh Laboratory's sonic signature, the company's C-1100 preamp ($14,000), relatively new 600Wpc MC-611 monoblocks ($15,000/pair), and MPC-1500 line filter ($5500) produced a beautiful, strong midrange and mellow top. On Steven Strauss's "Old Crow," for example, the clangy metal of electric guitar took second place to the smoothness of the instrument's midrange core. Ditto for a recording of a medieval-sounding "Hopper Dance" from an old (as in olde) Telarc Surround Sampler, where deep bass was excellent and the trumpet's metallic top was muted. Equal credit goes to Bowers & Wilkins's venerable 802D loudspeakers ($22,000/pair as shown), and Aurender A10 Music Server ($5500), which, in my experience, would tend to enhance the McIntosh midrange over its top end, as well as AudioQuest cabling.

COMMENTS
Axiom05's picture

Looks like the speakers are the 802D3 Prestige Edition, MSRP $25,000.

jamesgarvin's picture

Audio Video Interiors, the room's sponsor, placed a card (not visible in the photo) on the floor next to the speaker identifying the speakers as Jason identified in his report.

Charles E Flynn's picture

From https://www.whathifi.com/news/bw-announces-800-series-diamond-prestige-edition-speakers :

It apparently takes around four weeks for B&W’s craftsmen to apply the finish in the company’s UK factory, with the process (which involves 13 coats of lacquer) requiring 40 per cent more manufacturing time than a standard 800 Series Diamond model.

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