[Yogus]

Am I likely to get similar or better results with a 4bsst or bridging an 8bst into 2 channel mode?

I can get the 8bst 2nd hand for about 40% of the price of a 4bsst.

I run PMC FB1s, incidentally.

[Val]

I don't see any benefits from bridged 8B STs into the FB1; it is an easy load for any good amplifier, it sounds better nearfield (less power required) and the 4B SST is more than enough to drive it until you see smoke coming from a tweeter .

If you still go for the 8B ST, I would recommend you try biamping, but I would choose the 4B SST any time: enough power and as close to SOTA as you can get nowadays.

[Yogus]

Thanks...

The 8bst is gone anyway, so 4bsst it'll be.  

[Yogus]

Do i even really need the 4bsst's 300w for the pmc fb1?

A few people have mentioned that even a 3bsst would be more than enough and that I could save a few bucks here.

[Fife]

Do i even really need the 4bsst's 300w for the pmc fb1?
quote]

You can never have enough. Well maybe.
My 6B SST powers 120watt rated speakers rated at 8 ohms.  

[Val]

... even a 3bsst would be more than enough and that I could save a few bucks here.

That is true, the 3B SST is more than enough for the 90dB sensitivity and easy load of the FB1.

[ec]

I've got the TB2's and I have run them with the 3B SST and now run them with 4B SST.  The 3B is more than enough power for the TB2 / FB1.  I purposely clipped the 3B SST to see how loud it will play with the TB2's and it plays loud.  So why the 4B SST?  I plan to upgrade the speakers in a few years and I want enough horsepower to be set for my next set of speakers.  As good as the the FB1's are, I'm sure you will get the upgrade itch in the very near future.

[Yogus]

After the amp, I only plan on perhaps changing the FB1 to "plus" spec, and maybe change my CDP (currently Arcam Alpha 9CD).

I guess getting a 4b would make the amp upgrade-proof.

The difference in price b/w a 3b and a 4b is actually quite small.. $500us or so.