[herbg]

I'm in the midst of updating my home theater/music system.  I have a 5.2 system which will probably not expand beyond this due to room limitations.

Currently, I'm running the front pair of Martin Logan Spires with a Bryston 4B-ST.  The Martin Logan Stage X Center and Martin Logan Motif X Surrounds are powered by a Denon AVR-4520Ci.
Dual Martin Logan Balance Force 210 subwoofers round out the system.

I'm looking at going to an Anthem AVM 60 Pre/Pro which will means separate amplification.  That means I can update the 4B-ST to a 4B3 amp to power the ML Spires.  Then, re-purpose the 4B-ST to power the surrounds and a spare 3B-ST (running in bridged mode) to power the center channel.   Or, I could sell the 4B-ST and 3B-ST and replace them with a decent multichannel amp.

My question is this:

Would I be better served by retaining the late-90's vintage Bryston amps for center and surround speakers or should I consider using a new(ish) multichannel amp (i.e. used 9B-ST, Marantz MM8077, NAD M27, etc)?  Other than gaining physical space with one multichannel amp and perhaps less heat, it does mean even more cash outlay, after springing for a new 4B3.

My thoughts are that the biggest improvement would be with the 4B3 powering the ML Spires and that using the older Brystons for the center and surrounds might be overkill.

Anyway, I'm open to opinions on this as I keep pondering which would be the best way to go!

Cheers,
Herb...

[Mag]

Since I've got my Model T's 4+ years ago I've not used my 5.1 configuration, instead 4-channel stereo.

I recall though, ideally you want all amplification the same. However a 4B3 will be a noticeable improvement in linearity and power and noise floor for your mains that I wouldn't pass that up. The thing about Bryston amps is they have a similar sonic signature so you can use the different amps in 5.1 without skewing the sound characteristic.

I used my 3B-ST for the center channel and found it had very nice tonal characteristic. However I preferred the 3B-SST2 as it did a disappearing act, like the sound was there but blended in seemlessly with the fronts, I suspect due to better linearity.

[artur9]

For home theater, my understanding is that the front 3 speakers are critical, and the rest not so much.

So the best amps for L/C/R and something cost-effective for the surrounds.  But Bryston doesn't make a 3-channel amp?

[gtaphile]

I'm in the midst of updating my home theater/music system.  I have a 5.2 system which will probably not expand beyond this due to room limitations.

Currently, I'm running the front pair of Martin Logan Spires with a Bryston 4B-ST.  The Martin Logan Stage X Center and Martin Logan Motif X Surrounds are powered by a Denon AVR-4520Ci.
Dual Martin Logan Balance Force 210 subwoofers round out the system.

I'm looking at going to an Anthem AVM 60 Pre/Pro which will means separate amplification.  That means I can update the 4B-ST to a 4B3 amp to power the ML Spires.  Then, re-purpose the 4B-ST to power the surrounds and a spare 3B-ST (running in bridged mode) to power the center channel.   Or, I could sell the 4B-ST and 3B-ST and replace them with a decent multichannel amp.

My question is this:

Would I be better served by retaining the late-90's vintage Bryston amps for center and surround speakers or should I consider using a new(ish) multichannel amp (i.e. used 9B-ST, Marantz MM8077, NAD M27, etc)?  Other than gaining physical space with one multichannel amp and perhaps less heat, it does mean even more cash outlay, after springing for a new 4B3.

My thoughts are that the biggest improvement would be with the 4B3 powering the ML Spires and that using the older Brystons for the center and surrounds might be overkill.

Anyway, I'm open to opinions on this as I keep pondering which would be the best way to go!

Cheers,
Herb...

Wait and consider the 6B cubed when it is available versus a 9B. The Spires and Stage X are 4 ohms and the 6B will have a much better grip on these speakers versus the 9B. If you can't afford the cubed look for a used 6b SST2 in stead. Either way the L, C, R, will come to life as a wall of great sound.  Re-purpose the 4B to the rears or sell it and use something else, however, you have another less than ideal load in the Stage X that could use the 4B grip.

Good luck

[Raimo]

Go for the 4B3! I did and it is a awsome amp, a big improvement vs the 4BSST.
You can improve the other channels in the future.

[herbg]

I like the idea of one good multichannel amp to run all 3 front (+ 2 rear) speakers but I am unsure if a future 6B cubed is in the same class as the current 4B cubed - powering the front ML Spires.
With the demands of electrostatics, I'm thinking that an excellent dedicated amp, like the 4B cubed, powering the ML Spires is a better matched solution than using a good multichannel amp like a used 9B SST2.

[gtaphile]

I like the idea of one good multichannel amp to run all 3 front (+ 2 rear) speakers but I am unsure if a future 6B cubed is in the same class as the current 4B cubed - powering the front ML Spires.
With the demands of electrostatics, I'm thinking that an excellent dedicated amp, like the 4B cubed, powering the ML Spires is a better matched solution than using a good multichannel amp like a used 9B SST2.

The 6B is essentially a 4B plus one identical channel for the center in a single chassis for home theater applications.