Folks,
Here is my current setup / situation:
- five TB-2s (incl TB-2C) + two TB-1s for a 7 channel setup
- Bryston 3B SST powering the front L/R, Acurus Five 200 powering the remaining 5 channels
- Bryston SP 1.7
- One of my friends is taking the above mentioned Acurus Amp and another one I have off my hands. Perfect opportunity for pure Bryston amplification
- At some point in the "future" I will be upgrading the TB-2's to some type of full range PMC's
Here are the scenarios I am considering and why. Your comments and suggestions are most appreciated.
two 4B SSTs + one PowerPac 300 SSTtwo 4B's would be used for L,R,SL,SR
PP300 used for C
existing 3B for RR, RL
+ should have sufficient power for future speaker upgrades
+ two 4B's provide the flexibility to biamp for the future
+ provides lots of placement flexibility
- expensive scenario
two 4B SSTs + one 3B SSTtwo 4B's would be used for L,R,SL,SR
new 3B used for C in either bridged mode or biamp
existing 3B for RR, RL
+ should have sufficient power for future speaker upgrades
+ two pairs of amps provides most flexibility (placement, bridging, biamping, etc)
- most expensive of all provided scenarios
five PowerPac 120 SSTsexisting 3B for L,R
PP 120's for remaining channels
+ can use very short speaker cables
+ just a little more expensive than a 9B
+ potentially less cross talk than a 9B
- may not provide enough power for future speakers
- proximity to outlets
- 12V trigger in only not in and out like the 3B, 4B which can be daisy chained
- two PP has less flexibility compared to stereo amp (eg bridging and 12V triggers)
two 3B SST's + one PowerPac 120 SSTPP120 used for centre
three 3B's used for remaining channels
+ 3B's can be used for biamping (or bridged mode) for front three speakers in future
- may not provide enough power for future speakers unless more amps purchased (eg bridge existing amps)
- the 4B's are just a little bit more money but twice the power
one 9B SSTexisting 3B used for L.R
9B used for all other channels
+ least amount of outlets required
- less flexibility in placement
- three of the 9B channels connected via balanced, last two via RCA.
- may not provide enough power for future speakers
You are probably wondering why I haven't considered the 6B. I find that the cost per ch compared to a 4B is much more. I like the flexibility of having a "monoblock" + stereo amp especially if this can be had at a near equivalent price tag. Also, cosmetically, the 3B and 4B look similar from the front. So when the amps are lined up under my screen it will look more balanced. Why not a 6B in the centre below the screen? I have one of my subs there.
I would like your opinions on the above and or how you are powering your 7 channels and why you are doing it in this manner.
Thanks
Eric