[95Dyna]

Sasha's experience is very persuasive. I have to confess that given the way I've bought amps in the past, with no A/B comparison, I could not honestly say that my 4B differred from my 4BST, or it with my 7BSTs or these as compared to my 7BSSTs.

But I became utterly convinced that amps make a difference when I moved to the 7BSST squared. Admittedly, no A/B comparison, but with all other pieces in the system being excactly the same, the difference was so dramatic it simply couldn't be denied.

Dave

+1, Dave.  I had the same experience with my 7's Squared.

[Lassus]

  Thats pretty funny! - the challenge I mean. I am a Harbeth owner and I lerk around here because I am a very happy Byston owner as well. As a Harbeth owner, I also read what Alan Shaw and others are posting over there at the Harbeth Forum. I am always very impressed with him as he is always on hand to answer questions as James is here for us - its a rare thing. But at times Alan can be a little rash, and stubborn - some Sterophile readers may recall his reaction to Stereophile's review of his M40.1 - and it was a good review too. He is a staunch defender of his products as he should be because they are great speakers.
As for could I tell the difference when auditioning other amps?
Yes I could. But I would say the differences were not as stark and well defined with the Harbeths as compared to other speakers. Harbeth speakers are very revealing and not rolled off on the top as some might say (i'v tested mine all the was to 20 kHz - in room-no problem, flater than most)I would say it is because they really are an easy load for an amp. BUT, I did come to the conclusion that Harbeths need a good solid, solid state spanking to sound their best.

I found that Bryston and Harbeth are a match made in audio heaven, and both are high quality products backed by their designers.

Happy Listiening!!

[vegasdave]

As I understand, Harbeth speakers have a reputation of being a bit rolled off on the top end, romanticize the mid-range and are a bit sloppy in the lower registers.

Perhaps Harbeths are not an ideal speaker to clearly demonstrate the differences between amplifiers.

Yep, and I agree. I'm not impressed with Harbeth.

[spinner]

  Older type JBLs. are great with Bryston. I can't say about the later ones but I'm referring to vintage models like the Ti 250

[mv038856]

Another vote for "amps DO make a difference" from me.

I have reported before about my surprise, when I discovered a 9B ST (= late ST line) outperforming a 4B ST (= initial ST line) on my Sonus Faber Minima FM2 2 way monitors.
Equipped with a 4.5" SEAS woofer and a Dynaudio dome tweeter, those Minima FM2s were power hungry (the woofers sensitivity was 86 dB SPL@1W/1m). At higher levels, my legacy 3B (the one before the 3B NRB, i.e. without the torodial transformers) could be driven into clipping with those tiny speakers.

Still, as I learned from the unambigious victory of my 9B ST over my 4B ST, there are no easy and overall valid rules like "more power is better" and definitely not "all amps sound the same"!

Cheers!

Markus

[Wallacefl]

Amps do make a difference but often times within a companies product line its very small.  When I here adjectives used in direct comparisons  like "HUGE "...I just walk away. Good example in our own forum is the 7BSST V. 14BSST or the newer SST2s. I have done it internally, often times myself and after opening the curtain been wrong 1/2 the time ie: I really could not pick one out from the other unless sighted

[jaxwired]

Amps do make a difference but often times within a companies product line its very small.  When I here adjectives used in direct comparisons  like "HUGE "...I just walk away. Good example in our own forum is the 7BSST V. 14BSST or the newer SST2s. I have done it internally, often times myself and after opening the curtain been wrong 1/2 the time ie: I really could not pick one out from the other unless sighted

Within a product line, I agree.  This makes sense as the amps are very similar in parts and design.  But to compare a cheap 100w/ch Sony receiver with Bryston 2b separates and hear no difference?  Completely different parts and design, yet identical sound?  Please...

[vegasdave]

Harbeths are ok, but no big deal. I wonder how they compare to the Spendor classic line.

Imo, ATC is the best of the UK-made speakers.