Speaking only to the issue of the amplifiers, I will offer that I auditioned both the Bryston 4B-ST and the McCormack DNA 2 in my system before eventually buying the 4B-ST. In my system, I preferred the sound of the 4B-ST, and I also like the fact that Bryston gear has an unconditional 20-year warranty (I have a strong value orientation toward audio gear) and unsurpassed customer service. McCormack is now owned by Conrad-Johnson, which means it is financially backed by one of the established names in high-end audio, although Steve McCormack still heads the development of the amps bearing his name.
I'm sure your boyfriend means well, but before I'd swap out the 4B-ST amp, you should audition the McCormack in your system. One thing to bear in mind here is that women generally have more acute hearing than men, particularly as we get older, so what you hear may be different than what your boyfriend hears. Don't make a final decision about your amp based solely on someone else's opinion -- as I have often said on this forum, "trust your own ears".
I'm sure your boyfriend means well, but before I'd swap out the 4B-ST amp, you should audition the McCormack in your system. One thing to bear in mind here is that women generally have more acute hearing than men, particularly as we get older, so what you hear may be different than what your boyfriend hears. Don't make a final decision about your amp based solely on someone else's opinion -- as I have often said on this forum, "trust your own ears".
