My current options: Anthem MCA30 or Bryston 3bSST2

I would NOT get the Parasound A23. I have owned it, as well as the A21, and I currently own a Bryston 4B SST2.

The A23 cannot compete with either of the larger amps. It is constrained sounding by comparison. I prefer the Bryston to the larger Parasound amp, but they are close. The A23 is a distant 3rd.

I would think that the best option from Parasound would be the 3 channel amp, the Halo A31 at 250 wpc. Full retail on it is 3300, much less than Bryston amps.

The OP mentioned getting a couple of Bryston amps because they would fit in his shelving of 13 inches. Those two amps would run over $8000! Most amps are deeper than that, so I'd suggest buying a new shelving unit for up to $1000, buying the Halo A31 for under 3300, and being way ahead of the game financially. The Parasound Halos are very well regarded, I've got the A21, and it's superior to anything I've owned previously. Would it be the equal of Bryston? The warranty wouldn't, but don't kid yourself, the cost of the warranty is built into the high price of their amps. The Bryston might sound a little better or not. It depends on how one's speakers interact with the amp, and the rest of the system, and of course one's hearing preferences.

I know I prefer Parasound to the anthem gear I had.

I wouldn't say Bryston is high priced in terms of high end pricing. I find their products to be a good value compared to much higher priced units. Parasound is cheaper because it's made in Taiwan...I'd rather go for something built in Canada or the US and pay a little bit more.

Bryston amps cost thousands more than Parasound Halo amps, so I'd submit the characterization "pay a little bit more" is a little off. But that's fine, buy what you want and pay what you want. The fact of the matter is that most people want to pay a little less if they can. Nothing wrong with that either.