Bryston Vs Theta

you can buy into Bryston through audiogon, use them as long as you like and easily sell them again, all the time covered by 100% parts and labour and return shipping [if needed] all at a net cost of nearly nothing, I don't know anything about Theta, but from a business point of view, my guess is they don't/can't compare.

Thanks for the input so far. Distortion: stop drooling and and go and get a pair of these speakers before the price goes up because of the weak USD (I paid HKD40,000 = USD5,200 for my rosewood pair, there's been a price rise here since then). There're a couple of good reviews at audioreview.com. Bought them unheard after listening to a mates S3.4's (trying to get an audition of anything at most Hong Kong dealers is like pulling teeth, and a home trial is simply unheard of). Even after only a few hours with my Denon AVC-A1-SE (hence the amp upgrade) they are a huge improvement on my KEF's, with beautiful imaging (they disapear!) and very detailed top end from the Esotar 2 tweeter. Hoping a new amp will get a bit better handle on the bass.
The biggest problem with the Dreadnaught is it's size! I'd have to re-arrange my whole room to fit it in. I haven't seen Plinius for sale here, and the Krells, Levinsons etc sound/look very nice, but are just so much more expensive than the Theta or Bryston (the 5x225W Theta is USD6,500 here, with the Bryston a few $$ less).
Vettemanbc: I'd love to have access to buy/sell used gear like Audiogon (there's almost no market for used here, I'm still wondering what to do with my KEF's) but shipping to/from the Far East would be prohibitive. I'm still trying to clarify the warranty situation with the Bryston agent in H.K., but dealers tell me the local warranty is only one year, with the twenty year one requiring a return to Canada, which is the other side of the world from here.

Hi Busdriver

I gather you are from Oz with your G'day greeting.

Did you get your S5.4 from Excel? Also, how did you find they compare to the S3.4?

I was considering the S5.4 but that is simply too tall for my room and so have revised it to the S3.4. I heard them over the weekend at a friend's place and was rather surprised by the harsh treble I heard, although he was driving them with a low wattage tube amp.

Any thoughts?

G'day Mick

Good guess.

Grand Rich AV in Fa Yuen St, Mongkok. Took a lot of hard bargaining for that price and as I said earlier I think there's been a price rise due to the weak US$ and our linked currency.

I've ended up with the Dreadnaught 2 amp (450W/ch into 4 Ohms) and it drives the 5.4's beautifully (more "presence" than the 3.4's), even using my old Denon as a pre-amp until I can afford something better. Definitely no harshness in the highs and the bass is now so good (defined) that I disconnect my US$2000 Velodyne HGS-12 Sub when listening to two channel material. Diana Krall "live" sounds sublime on them.
Keep in mind the 3.4's have an Esotec tweeter where the 5.4's have an Esotar 2 from the Confidence series. Have you looked at the Special 25's (Esotar 2 tweeter as well, I think)which can be had for about HKD25,000?
And yes, the 5.4's do look pretty big in the lounge room of my 1500 sq ft flat. I may have to move to a bigger place to give them a bit more breathing space!

Cheers

G'day Busdriver

I have auditioned the S25's but have found the bass boomy. I cannot place them too far out into my room. The treble from the Esotar 2 was great! In contrast, when I heard the S3.4 in a similar placement, there was no boom at all. The dealer then placed the S25's far out into the room and it was a great sound.

How much are the S3.4's in HK? Also, how much do you feel I am missing out by getting the S3.4's instead of something with the Esotar 2? I am currently using speakers with metal dome tweeters which I find fatiguing. I have heard others mention that the Esotar 2 may be too revealing on less than fine recordings. I listen to a lot of harmon muted Miles Davis and do not want ear bleed from shrill treble, which was why I asked for your opinion on the S5.4 vs. the S3.4.