Bryston Amp Experience Needed


I am currently running Kef R11’s (rated 15-300 watts) with an Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3 amp (300wpc).

I am looking to upgrade to a Bryston from the used market.

I can get a 3B3 (200wpc) for around 3K (which is my budget), or I can not eat for a few months and get a 4B3 (300wpc) for around 4K.

Since I am used to the 300wpc on the Emotiva - am I going to notice a huge difference with a drop to 200wpc with the 3B3?

I do like to crank up the volume from time to time, but I generally listen at low to medium volumes.  I also mostly listen to modern metal/rock/synth-pop/r&b/hip-hop, and a lot of Tori Amos.....

Thx !!
drhelzer

Showing 5 responses by drhelzer

Sorry for not responding to this thread.  I've been too busy listening... :-)

Let's just start by saying that the emo was around 1k, so it was really a financial burden and big decision for me to spend over 4k on a 2 channel amp.  I don't regret it one bit, one of the best audio decisions I have ever made.  First thing I noticed before I even played any music was the noise floor was non existent.  I could hear noise from my uni-q when my ear was about 12 inches away from the driver when I had the emo hooked up. 4b3 is dead silent.  The Bryston is much more dynamic (especially at low volumes), less harsh in the highs, fuller in the mid range, and has more punch in the low end. There is way more headroom on this amp as well.  It is exactly what I was looking for.  I upgraded the 2 channel first, because that is most important to me. I have a 5 channel emo that runs my center/surrounds/height, so now I'm looking to replace that with a 9B (eventually).  
Thanks for all the input/info so far, it's a great help.  Some are asking the sensitivy of the KEF R11's.  Here ya go.

Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) 90dB

@dayglow

I am currently using an Emotiva XMC-1 (soon to be upgraded to XMC-2 or a RMC-1L once they get Dirac released for them).  I am using a Bryston BDP-2 as a Roon endpoint over AES/EBU and it is my only source component at the moment for 2 ch audio.
Upgrade for the Emotiva is the "trade-up' program and it will only run me $650.  I need it for Video.  
I actually was thinking about a used B135 cubed for the exact reason of getting the 2ch off of the Emotiva - but I didn't think it would have enough power at 135 watts - i.e. the whole reason for this thread 200 vs 300 watts.  But then I see some people running large cabinets like B&W 802/803 D3's with the B135 so.........
I just want to say thank you to everyone who chipped in with advise on this post.  It was extremely helpful, as I have no way to audition the 3B3 or the 4B3.
I have pulled the trigger on the 4B3 and it should arrive with in a week or so.  I'll report back soon with my results/thoughts, in case anyone is interested.