2. amps-preamps
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Bryston 4B3 or Ps Audio M700 monoblock?

I'd like to replace my 20 year old Bryston 4B SST with a new amplifier, solid state or hybrid. I have been considering the 4B3 and the PS Audio BHK 250. Both got great reviews but I am a bit concerned about the midrange withe the 4B3 and I do not like the amount of heat that the BHK 250 is  reported to produce. I am thinking now of the PS Audio M700. These are efficient class D and do not produce much heat. The M700 has also been reviewed favorably. It's a stereophyle class A.
I appreciate any thoughts on this, an din particular if you have experience with these amps.
benjosef1
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
gammonit_2000,

      Looks like you're correct except for  a few detals, below is from Bryston's website:

Warranty Details
 Bryston analog audio products and loud speakers are warranted to be free from manufacturing defects for twenty (20) years from the original date of manufacture. The warranty includes parts and labour. Speaker warranty is limited to the first time buyer and is non-transferable.

Bryston Digital products and cables are warranted for five (5) years from the original date of manufacture. The warranty includes parts and labour.

Bryston products having motorized moving parts, excluding motorized volume controls, are warranted for three years from the original date of manufacture. The warranty includes parts and labour.

Bryston will remedy the problem by repair or replacement, as we deem necessary, to restore the product to full performance. Bryston will pay return shipping costs for the full length of the specific product’s warranty.


Tim


gammonit_2000
83 posts
 
It's interesting how this 7BSST2 combo with the BP26 and MPS-2 improved the sound over my old 4BSST with a BP20 and MPS-1. 

I suspect OP will fall in love with the PS Audio and live forever happily in Class D.  Or not.  Really seems a step back, all these rave reviews such as the glaringly bad KEF LS 50 get old.  I don't even trust the rave reviews on the Bryston BCD-3.  I am suspicious.  Really though their software apparently sucks on the digital side, like bad.  Mickey Mouse or was if Manic Mouse?  And a $375 remote?  I have one, and it's odd.  BR2
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
gammonit_2000,

     Have you ever tried a good quality class D amp in your system or heard one in any system?



Tim
gammonit_2000
83 posts
 
noble 100 I haven't, I need power and low impedance capability.  I went from 300 watts to 600 watts a channel.  These Infinity Kappa 8s need lots of juice down to literally under an ohm.  Am I missing something in the Class D department?
beeswax
56 posts
 
This is for gammonit_2000:

The BCD-3 is a very good, not great, player. I'm not a fan of its button ergonomics and they promised a plastic remote to replace the ridiculous $350 remote that is optional with the player and never delivered it to market, but, on the whole, it's solid. It doesn't read CDRs nearly as well as it should, and I've had issues with a few CDs that play perfectly in other players, but when you put a well-recorded and mastered CD in the deck, it will light you up with its quality. It sounds very, very good. It's "sound" is not dry and artificial like poor CD players, but rich, dynamic and reasonably rounded. Like Stereophile said, a B seems a fair rating, but, to me, a B isn't a knockout. I'm reasonably happy with the player but would be happy with better. At the price point, though, is there a competitor? I'm redbook all the way when it comes to digital.
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