9B-ST for Home Theater Amp

Proceed Amp 5. Saw one on this site for around $3K yesterday. About the same power, though doesn't have the hundred year warranty or the big gnarly handles option. I like Bryston, but the Amp 5 is worth a look if you need a 5 ch. amp. Should have all the big tight bass slam you could ever want.
Thanks.
Chris

I'm not sure what speakers you use, but here's another suggestion. A while back I went from an Acurus A250 to an Aragon 8008BB. The first thing I noticed was more "bass slam." Based on that, I think you might get similar results from an Aragon 8008x5. I've listened to both Aragon 8008BB and the Bryston 4BST and while they do not sound exactly the same, the Aragon and Bryston have some of the same strengths including controlled "bass slam".

I am currently running a Bryston 4B-ST for my front speakers (Vandersteen 3A Signatures), and a 5B-ST for the center channel and rear surrounds (Vandersteen VCC-1 center, and Coincident Triumph Signatures rears), and my system definitely has all the "slam", dynamics, and power that I need. Since you already own the 4B-ST, and want to ensure that your system has the power you want, I'd suggest you buy the 6B-ST. I have already talked to the dealer where I bought my 4B-ST, and he will sell the 6B-ST for around $2800 (versus $3800 MSRP). If you want to contact my dealer, drop me a private E-mail and I will give you the contact information.

Thanks for the responses. I auditioned Aragon (Palladium, 8008) and Proceed when I was looking for my audio amp. I settled on the 4B-ST. My impressions were as follows:

Aragon - musical
Proceed - raunchy power
B&K - had punch, sort of
Bryston - pure control

The Bryston literally tamed the bass drivers into submission. And that's really what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info, Sdcampell, on the 6B-ST, but I have a pretty good relationship with my dealer. I know he'll cut me a good price. I have thought about going with the 5B for the center and rears like you mentioned. Possibly an 8B to bump up the power for the center channel. Have you noticed any sound drop-off or sluggishness in your center or rears because of the power varience between the 4B and the 5B? That is my main reason for waiting on the 6B.

Argent: I have found the 5B-ST to do an excellent job handling the center and rear speakers. I need to qualify that statement, however, by telling you: 1) the Coincident rear speakers are 3-4 db more efficient than the other speakers, which means the effective power (at the speaker) is almost identical for both amps. (Bear in mind that each 3db increase in speaker efficiency reduces by half the amount of amplifier power needed.) 2) My listening room is not very large, so my speaker setup is essentially a "near field" listening environment. 3) I do not tend to listen at "wake up the neighborhood" levels (although I have a subwoofer, and the Vandy 3A Sig's go down to about 26-28 Hz). All of that said, the center speaker and rear speakers generally do not require as much power as the front speakers, assuming your main front speakers are full-range. Most rear surrounds do not go much below 65-70 hz, so the amp does not have to drive a lot of bass information. I would summarize by saying that unless you have really inefficient center/rear speakers, have a large listening room, and/or like to listen at ear-bleed volume levels, the 5B-ST will probably do an excellent job for you. At the very least, ask your dealer if you can borrow a 5B-ST for a weekend home demo. I think you will find the 5B-ST to be very satisfactory. I bought mine for $1800 new, with full warranty. I have also thought about selling the 5B-ST to buy the 6B-ST, but the 5B-ST provides ALL the power I need for surround sound, so it makes little sense to spend another $1000 or so to buy more amplifier than I need.