Unless you tend to listen at rather high, sustained volume levels, the 3B-SST should be very satisfactory for your needs. As a practical matter, the difference in power output between the 3B-SST (150 wpc) and the 4B-SST (300 wpc) is about 3db, which is not very significant.
There are two primary differences between the "ST" and "SST" series of amps:
1. the "SST" uses a newer model of Motorola output transistor (first used in the 14B-ST and 6B-ST amps), which Bryston believes to offer better audio performance;
2. the "SST" has filter capacitors in the power supply that are twice as large as the "ST", which is important if have inefficient speakers, tend to listen at high volumes, or listen to a lot of music and/or effects with sustained deep bass.
Some people think the 3B-ST sounds slightly better than the 4B-ST -- a bit more transparent, and a bit better imaging. I have listened to both the 3B-ST and 4B-ST, and can't say that I consistently hear any difference.
The early reports on the "SST" series of amps is that they sound better than the "ST" version -- but this may be somewhat system-dependent. I also tend to think that people who have upgraded to any newer model (be it amp, preamp, speaker, etc.) are subject to the effects of "cognitive dissonance", which virtually assures that people need to experience something better to justify their expenditure. (For more on the research on "cognitive dissonance", explore the work of psychologist Leon Festinger.)
In short, I think you will be very happy with the 3B-SST. Stop fretting, buy the 3B-SST, sit back and enjoy the music, and use the $600 you saved for CD's, DVD's, SACD's, etc.
P.S. As you will note from looking at my system, I am a Bryston owner. I have listened to most of their amps, and think they all represent fine value.
There are two primary differences between the "ST" and "SST" series of amps:
1. the "SST" uses a newer model of Motorola output transistor (first used in the 14B-ST and 6B-ST amps), which Bryston believes to offer better audio performance;
2. the "SST" has filter capacitors in the power supply that are twice as large as the "ST", which is important if have inefficient speakers, tend to listen at high volumes, or listen to a lot of music and/or effects with sustained deep bass.
Some people think the 3B-ST sounds slightly better than the 4B-ST -- a bit more transparent, and a bit better imaging. I have listened to both the 3B-ST and 4B-ST, and can't say that I consistently hear any difference.
The early reports on the "SST" series of amps is that they sound better than the "ST" version -- but this may be somewhat system-dependent. I also tend to think that people who have upgraded to any newer model (be it amp, preamp, speaker, etc.) are subject to the effects of "cognitive dissonance", which virtually assures that people need to experience something better to justify their expenditure. (For more on the research on "cognitive dissonance", explore the work of psychologist Leon Festinger.)
In short, I think you will be very happy with the 3B-SST. Stop fretting, buy the 3B-SST, sit back and enjoy the music, and use the $600 you saved for CD's, DVD's, SACD's, etc.
P.S. As you will note from looking at my system, I am a Bryston owner. I have listened to most of their amps, and think they all represent fine value.