I owned both Bryston 4BST and 7BST amp when I lived and worked in Montreal for a couple of years. They powered the original Paradigm 100 (V1). For the money, and in Canada, I don't think you can find a better amp for the money. Either the 4 or the 7 in the previous ST or new SST configurations will provide the muscle needed to play all the styles you like to listen to, and with ease and musicality.
Best amp for studio 100v3, Rotel , Anthem or other
I'm trying to decide which amp to go with the new Paradigm studio 100 version 3 speakers. I would like to build a home theatre, but 2 channel is most important to me. I plan to add seperate a/v pre-amp, and 3 channel amp later.
The dealer here carries rotel, anthem, NAD, Bryston, and a variety of tube gear. In my price range, I am looking at the Rotel 1080, and the Anthem MCA20. Both, about 200-225wpc, and seem to have good reviews. Problem is, they only have the Anthem PVA, and the Rotel 1070 on the shelf(120wpc). So I haven't been able to actually here either of the amps, with the studio 100's, although I thought the PVA sounded pretty good, but I know the bass performance will be better with more watts. The MCA also offers a 3 channel amp, which is attractive for future expansion, if I want to stay with matching amps.
Can anyone shed some light on the performance of these two, or recommend an alternative. Is one brighter or darker than the other, and which would have better bass. I have also heard some good things about Outlaw amps, which are affordable, or could look at some used amps, but shipping to Canada gets expensive. I currently have an Arcam Alpha 9 as the source, with a Linn Wakonda as the pre-amp. Listen to most everything from Jazz, world music, to heavy rock. I like my music cranked from time to time, and don't want to run out of power. Thanks in advance for any help.
The dealer here carries rotel, anthem, NAD, Bryston, and a variety of tube gear. In my price range, I am looking at the Rotel 1080, and the Anthem MCA20. Both, about 200-225wpc, and seem to have good reviews. Problem is, they only have the Anthem PVA, and the Rotel 1070 on the shelf(120wpc). So I haven't been able to actually here either of the amps, with the studio 100's, although I thought the PVA sounded pretty good, but I know the bass performance will be better with more watts. The MCA also offers a 3 channel amp, which is attractive for future expansion, if I want to stay with matching amps.
Can anyone shed some light on the performance of these two, or recommend an alternative. Is one brighter or darker than the other, and which would have better bass. I have also heard some good things about Outlaw amps, which are affordable, or could look at some used amps, but shipping to Canada gets expensive. I currently have an Arcam Alpha 9 as the source, with a Linn Wakonda as the pre-amp. Listen to most everything from Jazz, world music, to heavy rock. I like my music cranked from time to time, and don't want to run out of power. Thanks in advance for any help.
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