Bryston - Stereo or Monoblock


To monoblock or not to monoblock.....that is the question.  I know some prefer the sound of a single amp running in stereo while others see the virtues of running monoblock amplifiers.  From what I can ascertain it would seem the primary benefit (assuming you can get the same power per channel running a single amp) is the benefit of shorter speaker cables.  

I have monoblock Shitt Vidars now running a pair of magnepan 1.7's.  It's sounds great.   I'm thinking of upgrading the speakers to either 3.7's or really taking the plunge and going directly to the 20.7's.  I've been told the same amp can run all three just as effectively (if you have an amp that can effectively run the 1.7's then they will run the 20.7's) but thinking of upgrading here as well.  Mainly Bryston.  Question is whether I should go with a monoblock configuration running 900W into 4 ohms or buying a larger single amp that has the same power output per channel?  

Appreciate your thoughts & insight.  
mvrooman1526
Generally speaking, most monoblocs have more capacitors, and therefore more ability to carry demanding speakers, ie maggies., when under heavier loads. 
I am running the Magnepan LRS with a Bryston 4BSST and it runs HOT with those speakers, I mean not that it can't take it, but still.  Anyway I also have the 7BSST2 and would highly recommend those amps.  If you have bigger $$ there are a pair of 1 year old 7B3 on here for mid 6k.  Anyway as to which of those two sound better supposedly the cubed is a little warmer than the squared.  As for monoblocks and subwoofers, I would say absolutely.  I have REL T5s that have used with the LRS and they add a lot and the monoblock hookup with REL is a big plus.  The mags were developed on monoblocks.  Bryston recommends shorter speaker wires than interconnects which of course pretty much demands monoblocks.  The 7BSST2 sounds better than the 4BSST as one would expect and they drive my Infinity Kappa 8s with ease.  Haven't hooked them up to the LRS though.  Sound good with the 4B the bass is actually pretty good on that amp but yeah get the 7B3 probably if you have the $$ and want that long warranty.
Hi @wegenert. The Jeff Beck album was one of his latest albums and I was streaming it. I didn’t have a device to measure the sound pressure. But it was LOUD. Like if I had a neighbor in and adjoining room they would have complained. If my wife was there she would have complained and left. If I had opened the window you could have heard it down the street. Not way down the street. But it was loud. Now I hardly listen to music that loud. But I expect that my amps will never go into thermoprotection. It also demonstrated to me the lack of headroom and therefore the lack of power for transient dynamics that the Vidar had for MY system. Since switching to Bryston I have had zero issues. I agree that you don’t need the 28B3 monoblocks I have. But I happened onto them and got so good a deal, I couldn’t pass them up. They are end game for me IMO. Most folks will be pleased with a 4B3 run in stereo. But the great thing about the 4B3 is that they can easily be run in bridge mode and run as “monoblocks”. You can get one and try it. If you want and find another at a good price you can get a second. That is what I did after the Vidars. I hope that helped.