Bryston 4B3 or Ps Audio M700 monoblock?

Hello gammonit_2000,

     I know your Brystons are nice amps but I know a good class D pair of monoblocks will also at a minimum match them on sound quality and pay for itself fairly quickly just on all the electricity you'd save, even if you left them on 24/7.
     Yes, rf interference can be an issue if the power modules aren't properly shielded internally.  But virtually all the good quality class D amps are properly shielded and you shouldn't have any issues. I have three, a Class D Audio SDA-440-CS and Emerald Physics EA-100.2SE stereo amps and a pair of D-Sonic M3-600-M mono-blocks, and I've never had any interference issues.  There's no special shielding requirements you need to take except buying a good quality amp from a good company.
     The problem is finding an audio shop to audition one.  Most class D amp companies sell internet direct to keep prices low.  But you can usually purchase the amp and get about 30 days to try it out at home in your system.  If you like it, you just keep it.  If you don't, you just send it back and get a full refund, no questions asked.
     Just an fyi, these amps are very neutral and revealing, like the audio ideal of 'a straight wire with gain'.  If upstream components and recordings are not high quality, it'll be easily noticed since there's no flavoring or coloring going on, nothing's added or subtracted from the inputted signals.  On the plus side you'll easily notice the effects of system changes, even power cord and cabling changes.
     I sincerely believe you'd be pleasantry surprised by the hi-end performance level of the numerous good class D amps currently available at relative bargain prices.


Tim
  
   

Thanks Tim,
I appreciate your input (so to speak).  I do like the "straight wire with gain" ala a CJ PV10B design for example.  I won't bash Class D again unless I actually hear one.
Karl

Hello Karl,

     I have no problem with individuals criticizing any amp or amp type if it's based on personal experience. I was hearing the same accolades and criticisms repeatedly of class D amps about 10 years ago on Audiogon forums and was curious about class D but didn't know who to believe. 
     Most of the accolades were coming from those that had dared to try a class D amp in their system   But I had a hunch that many of those repeating common criticisms of class D performance had never even heard a good class D amp in their systems or any system.  
     So, I just bought a Class D Audio SDS-440-CS amp with a 28-day free in-home trial period for about $600 and decided to find out for myself if class D was any good.  That was 10 yrs ago when I used all good quality class AB amps(Aragon, Adcom and McCormack) in my combo music and HT system.  
     The results of my personal experience comparing good class D amp performance with good class AB amps in my system and room are best summed up by the fact that I now utilize all class D amps, from three different companies (Class D Audio, Emerald Physics and D-Sonic) in my combo system.
     The main intent of my comments to you are not to bash you for bashing class D, although I believe you deserve some bashing for bashing class D without any personal listening experience with it, but to suggest you would probably enjoy their performance and other characteristics in your own system.
     But I do appreciate the reasonableness of your post and your intention to try to audition a good class D amp.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.


Thank you,
     Tim

OP has been pretty quiet, I am now curious if he did order the PS M700 and if so what does he think vs. the Bryston 4BSST.  Since the 4BSST was my main amp for many years (and I still own one) this will be a somewhat reasonable comparison...

Hello Karl,

      Yes, no doubt the Bryston 4BSST is a very competent amp.  I've read very positive professional reviews of the class D M700s but have never personally heard them.  I'm also looking forward to hearing his impressions, hopefully he'll be posting again soon.


Tim