2. amps-preamps
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Bryston 7Bcubed vs Mark Levinson

hello everyone I'm new to the forum and have been out of the audio hobby for quite some time. Way back in 1992 I bought a new pair of Magnaplaner Tympani 4a's I still enjoy listening to my Maggies but I need to update a few pieces I currently have a pair of Bryston 7B-ST's they still sound great but its time to update i also have an Audio Research REF-3 pre-amp and i listen to mostly classic rock and guitar based jazz my question is I found a pair of mark Levinson 436 mono blocks super shape price is right but i have never had a chance to audition these how would these compare to a pair of Bryston 7B cubed any thoughts is greatly appreciated....

viper510

Showing 2 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 

The Bryston ST lineup is a little hard and can be fatiguing, though with a tube preamp you should be good. I have owned the 3B-ST, 4B-ST,  PowerPac 300, and 7B-SST,

The following upgrade program is something to consider even if the 7B-ST is a backup in the future.

(11) Here's how BRYSTON makes OLD amplifiers NEW again! - YouTube

The ML amps I have heard sounded pretty good, not fatiguing, but not the clearest sounding (a bit dark for me). At one time I was thinking of getting the ML585 integrated. Today, I prefer Benchmark AHB2, CODA #8 and #16, and the new KRELL XD amps. I am saving up for a new XD amp (sold 2 lower powered ones).. 

BTW - USAM has 2 KRELL Duo 300XD amps for a very good price. Not sure if it would pair well with the ARC preamp, but I am certain is it better than the ML436 (to my ears).

yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 

@ddafoe I was only talking about the ST series that the OP owns. I have heard the 4B3 and it is much different on top. There are some folks who still like the older ST and SST line for bass. I have not compared too much to have an opinion, but I was surprised to read that.

The best bass I had was when I had my Bryston 7B-SST monos with my Revel Salon 1. I could play that as loud as I wanted and at any time of the day. I did not know better back then and used the Bryston BP20 peamp with the 7B-SST, a bad choice in retrospect. I should have used a tube preamp like the OP.

 

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