2. amps-preamps
  3. 191434-23267

What Power Amplifier Should I Buy?

I am looking to increase my system power. I currently am using a Bryston 2.5B cubed, which is specified at 135 Watts/CH. I am using Revel f208 speakers crossed over at 120 Hz to a 15" HSU sub. The f208 speakers have 88.5 dB sensitivity (Amir measured 88-89dB SPL at 1W into 8 ohms). I sit about 7.5 feet away from the speakers and listen up to 92 dB SPL, but mostly stay between 80-90 dB SPL at my listenin g location.

I have not had power issues. I've never seen a clipping light. I just want more oomph. I've never had a power amp with more power than the 2.5B cubed.

My budget is about $5K. I have been looking at some used 4b cubed amps.

My preamp is a vintage ML No. 38s. Digital from Bryston BDP-3/BDA-3 combo. Analog using Koetsu RS and Shelter 901 cartridges into an SUT (20x) followed by a very vintage Paragon System E used as a phono preamp (I have fully repaired this preamp, particularly the power supply).

I like the sound of the 2.5B cubed. I had a Cary 120 tube amp for some time, but grew tired of the heat and the continuous maintenance, including the insane prices for tubes. I did not experince that great "tube sound" that others rave about. I sold the Cary and went back to the 2.5B cubed.

Will the 4B cubed disappoint?

What other amps should I consifder, new or used?

Thanks for your help!

 

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ghdprentice
6,848 posts
 

I cannot explain why two subwoofers over one increases the soundstage and can improve the imaging (through enlarging the soundstage)… it does. I have heard it, and others commented,  whenever disconnecting one of my two subwoofers when I used them.

jimmy2615
433 posts
 

Instead of a bigger Bryston get another 2.5B and vertically biamp. I did this to good effect when I had Revel 228 Be. Don’t run them mono, but use each channel of one amp to power the highs and lows of one speaker, or horizontally one amp the highs and one the lows. That said, while the sound may be cleaner and you have a bit more headroom, the difference may not be that huge. You are probably only using a small amount of watts from your existing amp. I found it beneficial overall though, and I don’t listen that loud either.  Only issue is using a y-splitter for your preamp outputs if you don’t have one with two sets of outputs.

jimmy2615
433 posts
 

By the way, the advice on looking at preamps may be good also if yours is truly a ‘softer’ sounding unit. I preferred the Bryston amps with a Bryston preamp, it provided a certain jump factor that was very much missing with other preamps I tried, including Primaluna, SPL, and DAC direct. I used a BP17. The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it was noisy. Also, I eventually settled on a NAD M23 amplifier. 1st class D amp I would recommend over something like a Bryston, and I’ve owned the different technologies over the years, Pascal, Ice, Hypex, etc. The NAD gives up just a little bit of bass slam to the Bryston (not much though) but is otherwise more refined and has a nicer midrange, and provides lots of clean power (200/400w in 8/4 ohms).  It’s cheaper also, and IME was not a sideways move.  Definite improvement for my tastes.  

mark200mph
142 posts
 

All of them then you can roll them.ive enjoyed emotiva dr 1.bryston 28b3.mcintosh class d 1502. Michi m8. D sonic.manly and carver tube. The fosi audio mono is a bang for the buck on Amazon happy hunting enjoy the music.

mglik
902 posts
 

If you want to greatly increase your musicality, transparency and detail I would highly recommend buying the Atma-Sphere Class D mono blocks.

They are in your price range. They are a fluid as a great tube amp but much more transparent and detailed with great bass and smooth highs. To get better you would have to spend many times more.

 

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