Bryston 4B-SST vs. 6B-SST


Within the next month or so I plan on upgrading my two channel amp, currently a 4B-ST. You can see from my "system" link that I have a home theatre setup, but, I primarily listen to 2 channel.

I currently have the 4B-ST on the front two channels and a Rotel RMB-1075 (5x120) bi-amping the center and a single channel to each rear. This of course leaves one channel unused.

I like the way the 4B-ST sounds, I really like how Pass Labs (X250) sounds but, budget limitations have nipped that in the bud, sigh. I do like the newer Bryston SST's a lot as well, and they are affordable to boot.

I have been able to audition a 4B-SST but not a 6B-SST. The specs are the same except for the 6B being 3 channels instead of 2. They do look different internally. The 6B looks modular while the 4B does not. It would work well if I could use the 6B-SST for the fronts and center and swap my current 4B-ST to the rears.

Has anyone compared these amps sound qualities, especially with 2 channel?

Do you think, or know, of any reason that would make the 3 channel amp perform less suitably in a 2channel situation?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
distortion

Showing 2 responses by mlbattey

When my 6B SST was working it sounded great on 2 channel and surround. I even got the impression that playing 2 channel was like having 2 mono amps. The SP 1.7 works fine with my Coda Amps....if thats a help. But since I have gone back to using Coda I decided to go with a 2 channel and a mono for center. Both amps are matched output. The only thing I noticed on the 6B SST is the 80lbs! I am not a true audiophile and have not heard a lot of the gear you guys have. I just jumped into vinyl with a Music Hall MMF-7. I love it. But it's a lot of trouble compared to a cd.
I agree with you on the 2 channel part for stereo play back. Thats what I like about the most on my Sp 1.7. I have a great 2 channel preamp. I went to vinyl for 2 reasons. DVD and SACD selection. Plus I have gotten great NEW lp's off ebay cheap! I mean 6 bucks delivered! I even got 30 NEW old LP's for 14.95. I am only buyibg new LPs so I don't have to invest in record cleaning machine now. I'm very impressed with vinyl. I also decided to stay with my 4 channel amp for suround so my main amp will drive stereo. Buying a mono amp for 2500 bucks leaves me more money to put else where at this time.