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Behringer EP4000 vs Bryston 4B ST & 4B PRO

Hello everyone,

I am asking this question with all honesty. I currently use Behringer EP4000 pro amps to run my speakers - of which I have a few: B&W N805, Merlin TSM, Harbeth SHL-5, PSB Imagine B. I like to switch around which speaker I listen to.

I am considering upgrading my amp section to Bryston 4B ST or 4B Pro. My questions are:

1. Since my Behringers are rated to be 650w at 8 Ohm, what improvements could I hope to achieve by switching to Bryston?

2. Between the 4B ST and the 4B Pro, is there a sonic difference? I don't mind pro cosmetics / I know the pro has a gain dial. Anything I would be missing by going pro or is it just a cosmetic choice?

I understand warranty, build quality and resale value are better with Bryston but I'm really interested in the sonic differences.

Thoughts?
michaelkingdom

Showing 4 responses by michaelkingdom

michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom OP
153 posts
 
That is my feeling too but the Behringer is very powerful. It puts out 550w at 8 ohms and 950w at 4 ohms. Is there anything about the Bryston that would make a "better" sound?

Here's the specs on the EP4000:
8Ω per channel 550 W
4Ω per channel 950 W
2Ω per channel 1250 W
20 Hz – 20 kHz @ 0.1% THD, both channels driven
michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom OP
153 posts
 
These are sine wave measurements of the EP4000's little brother the EP2500 (which may be very similar). These are continuous power, not peak. Again, I understand that Behringer is ugly and not a showpiece. I guess I have to get ahold on a Bryston somehow to hear if I hear a difference.

Behringer EP2500 8 ohm http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post10753603
Behringer EP2500 4 ohm http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post10753638
Behringer EP2500 2 ohm http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...7#post10755537
michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom OP
153 posts
 
Oops! Sorry for the broken link:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/855865/measuring-amplifiers
michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom OP
153 posts
 
Fantastic answer. Thank you for taking the time to explain it. At this point, I'm kinda planning on buying 3-4 amps and just playing around with them to see if I can detect differences.

I'm thinking a Bryston B60, Exposure 2010s, Acram A28/38, Naim something and seeing what I like. I've been SS up to this point so any tube suggestions would be appreciated as well.
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