2. amps-preamps
  3. 156729-132677

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
masi61
97 posts
 
This is exciting! I for one, look forward to your review of the 4Bsst3.
doryb
15 posts
 
Update drhelzer?? I am also considering bryston 4b3 to power KEF ref 5. How does it do with KEF?
drhelzer OP
17 posts
 
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).  
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