Which Preamp will go well with Mag 3.6R ?


Hello, newbie here...

Pretty much set for speakers and Amp. (Magnepan 3.6R is set.)

1. Amp - Between Bryston 4B SST, or Classe CAM 350 - which amp would YOU choose? (I'm 80% leaning toward Bryston)

2. Should I go with tube or solid for preamp? (I am leaning toward tubes though...) Which preamp will match well with above set?

3. While at it,,, Which CD player do you recommend?

4. Due to limited budget, I am thinking about buying used equipments.
What sould I look for ? or be careful of in buying used equipments?

I've set $5000 budget for CD and preamp

Thanks in advance.

Jon
jonk78
I have 3.6s and recently upgraded my amp to Parasound JC-1 monoblocks which have been a great improvement over my Levinson 334. You can get them for under $4,000 used. There are numerous reviews on the JC-1s in the audio pubications and all are very positive. As for pre-amp, I am using an Audio Research LS-15 with some Amperex 7308 tubes from the early 60's which really make the LS-15 come alive. The LS-15 can be found for under $1500 and top flight NOS tubes (4) can be found for under $500, leaving you $3,000 for a CD player. Good luck in your search.
"Macdadtexas,

>>> 7BSST's (really the same thing as the 14bsst) >>

I jsut noticed this,,,
7BSST is almost same as 14BSST???

I can get 7B at half the price of 14B. (actually the 7B is the same price as 4B !)

So 7BSST will do fine?"

The 7BSST amp is a monoblock so you will need 2 of them so I highly doubt you will find a "pair" priced lower than a 14BSST amp or the same as a 4B amp. You are probably looking at the price of a single 7B amp (where you will need 2 of them)...

The 14BSST is pretty much 2 7B amps in one chassis although given it is a single chassis it does not have the total capacitance that 2 7BSST monoblocks will give you but that may not matter in your application. I have a 14B-SST amp mated to my 1.6 Maggies and it does a great job and can confidently advise it will do the same with a pair of 3.6's.
ONE more dumb question :

Then, can I use TWO 4BSST instead of ONE 14BSST?

Can I use two 4Bsst to double up power?
I tried a 4bsst with my 3.6r's and the sound in my room was a bit bright and lacking in bass.Not enough power.
Along came my Classe CA-400 that puts out 800w at 4 ohms and all is well.Used prices for these are in the low 2K range.

The Classe CAM350 as you listed would be an excellent match for a smooth sound.
Agree with Bob reynolds and Ackman00. You should audition the Parasound JC 1's. They great sounding amp's. Check out Stereophile January 2010 issue. M. Fremer compare them to Bryston 7Bsst'2, he likes the Parasound JC 1 better. According to John Atkinson's measurement test. The Bryston's has low input impedance that may be problem matching with preamp specialy tube pre and in his measurement into 2-ohms load the Bryston 7Bsst'2 didn't do as well as the other amp's tested.