Parasound vs. Mccormack, Bryston,Classe

I recently bought the AVC2500 processor and 105 140/ch amp from Parasound and have been please with the sound. However, I am driving the Monitor Silver 7i Series speaker that are very efficient. With Maggies you might try listening to the 2205 amp that's 220/ch x5. I have heard the Bryston 5 channel amp is superb, but have not had a chance to hear it yet. A friend has the 3B-ST stereo amp and it sounds okay. Associated equipment is important with Bryston as it can sound Bright. In CAnada they sometimes refer to Bryston as Brightston.

I assume you mean you haven't selected a center and sub. You really need to have a center channel speaker. Most of the acoustic energy comes from the center channel. And even if your main speakers go down low (and I don't think Maggies do), the special effects info is in the sub channel, even in Prologic and esp. for DD or DTS.

I own a Classe CA-100 and a Bryston 9B-ST, and have heard the 3-channel Parasound. The Parasound amp was very "exciting", sounded great for HT. I think the Bryston has the edge for music however. The low end on the Bryston seems a little more solid and well controlled than the Classe. I'm using Thiel 1.5 speakers.