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Any advice? Parasound A21, Ayre V5xe, Benchmark AHB2, or Bryston 4B3?

Morning, I am thinking of upgrading my Musical Fidelity M1PWR Monos but would appreciate advice on which amp would fit my Harbeth 7 speakers best.This is a set up in my home office and I do not want an amp that runs hot. I have the opportunity to buy one of the following:Ayre V5xe ($2,500)
Parasound A21 ($1,500)
Benchmark AHB2 ($3,000)
Bryston 4B3 (~$3,800)Thanks.
zwango
spatialking's avatar
spatialking
610 posts
 
Well, if you can afford it, that Bryston is one awesome product!   I am not familiar with the Benchmark; the Parasound is also good, being a John Curl design.   If it was my money, I would opt for one of those two.
johnto
1,025 posts
 
Ayre makes some very nice equipment too. All the brands mentioned are high quality so it will probably come down to personal taste, if you have the chance read all you can and give a listen. 
erik_squires
16,118 posts
 
Of those, the one you must audition is the Ayre. It's got such a distinct sound you'll either be entranced by it, or scratch it off your list pretty quickly.
helomech
1,687 posts
 
The A21 will run warm, if not hot. 

I like the AHB2 with speakers like yours because it's capable of the woofer control such speakers require for articulate bass. 
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