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.
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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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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@mglik +1 also AGD and Gold Note should be on the list. |
What @larryi said that's great advice. Also putting a good tubed preamp in front of the Bryston you have could reap some benefits. |
- 71 posts total