How much more power do 2 Bryston monoblocks use?


I have an ADCOM 5500 amp right now - 350 wpc into 4 ohms. I’m contemplating moving to Bryston amplification and I’m looking at either the 4b ST or a pair of 7b ST amps. So far, I’m doing very well with my electrical service (15A & basically a dedicated line).  I use Magnepan 1.7s and an ADCOM 555 to power a pair of subwoofers.

I know I have some extra headroom to play with. I use a space heater in the winter with settings of 600/900/1500 watts. I can currently play music with the heater on 1500 watts - no problem. My usual method is to turn the heater on full when I’m warming up the system and then turn it down to 600 watts when I go in and listen.

I’m probably still going to want some heat in the winter, though. 😉

The 4b STs will work, no sweat. Anybody ever run into electrical problems switching to the larger mono amps?

Thanks,
Toolbox
toolbox149

Showing 1 response by glennewdick

yeah at 2100w max power (from the manual) that will draw 17.5 amps if you have 120v (probable more like 115v so over 18amps) if you have an sustained long term full power period you will defiantly pop your circuit breaker on a 15 amp line as they tend to not give you the full 15 amps as there is a safety factor build in. if you plan to run your amp and everything else on the line I would defiantly upgrade the circuit to a 20amp or better yet two dedicated 20amp lines as some one has mentioned.  

"The max watts on a 15 amp circuit is 15X120 = 1800 watts. The max continuous load should not exceed 80%, which is 12 amps or 1440 watts"

now that said how often do you thing you will ever get close to full sustained power...never unless your hosting a rock concert ;-)