[falconcry]

I'm thinking of replacing the power amp in my 2-channel system. My current amp is a BAT VK-500, and my speakers are Magnepan 3.7's (preamp is an ARC LS-26 and DAC is a McIntosh D-100). I am wavering between going with tubes (BAT VK-55 monos or ARC VS-115) or solid state. If I go solid state, Bryston is on my short list. I have listened to a 4B-ST in my system head-to-head against the BAT, and the BAT won... but it was very very close. I'm hoping that if I move up the Bryston food chain I can surpass the performance of the BAT, which brings me to my question:

The 7B-ST monos have more power, but the 4B-SST2 is newer and potentially more refined. Prices on the used market seem comparable. There is no doubt that the Maggies like power, but if the 4B-SST2 has enough power, then maybe it would sound better due to newness and stuff.

What say you? Anyone heard both and care to comment?

Thanks for the help!

[Laundrew]

If you decide to purchase Bryston, perhaps the 7s are the way to go. I remember listening to these amplifiers when I was searching for an amp and they were truly stellar. Interestingly enough, they are very close in performance to the 28s. You may also want to look into if the 7s had a transformer upgrade as did the 28s a few years ago - perhaps other members would know if this is the case with the 7s as I do not know.

Another consideration, if you do go with the 7s, you may not have to visit the most dreaded upgrade syndrome a few years down the road

At the end of the day, it is your ears that will have the final say, good luck on your journey 

Be well...

[Rod_S]

Another thing to consider is warranty, the ST series is quite old now so it's possible the 20 year warranty has exprired or getting close to that point whereas with the SST2's you would only be out a few years tops on the warranty if purchasing 2nd hand.

Laundrew, it sounds like you are talking SST or SST2 7's not ST's as the 28's weren't around in the days of the ST range so there might be a fair bit of audible differences between the ST and the series that followed. I've never personally heard anything from the ST series, only SST and SST2's.

[95Dyna]

If you decide to purchase Bryston, perhaps the 7s are the way to go. I remember listening to these amplifiers when I was searching for an amp and they were truly stellar. Interestingly enough, they are very close in performance to the 28s. You may also want to look into if the 7s had a transformer upgrade as did the 28s a few years ago - perhaps other members would know if this is the case with the 7s as I do not know.

Another consideration, if you do go with the 7s, you may not have to visit the most dreaded upgrade syndrome a few years down the road

At the end of the day, it is your ears that will have the final say, good luck on your journey 

Be well...

To Andy's point regarding the 7B SST2's with the transformer and other upgrades, look for a post 01825 serial number.  I have 01850 and 01851 and remember checking on it at the time (mid 2009).  01826 was the first squared series 7B to ship with the upgrades.  That being said, I love these amps.  They are driving my circa 1990 Infinity 9 Kappas which are notorious amp killers.  They never break a sweat.

[falconcry]

Thanks for all the input! Keep in mind I'm looking at "7B-ST" or "4B-SST2". The "7B-SST2" would be a great solution, but they're outside my target budget. So the question is really about what's going to have a bigger positive impact on the sound of my system, the additional power of the 7B-ST or the newer technology of the 4B-SST2... decisions decisions...

[larevoj]

Thanks for all the input! Keep in mind I'm looking at "7B-ST" or "4B-SST2". The "7B-SST2" would be a great solution, but they're outside my target budget. So the question is really about what's going to have a bigger positive impact on the sound of my system, the additional power of the 7B-ST or the newer technology of the 4B-SST2... decisions decisions...

That's a tough one...the SST2 does sound very different or more refined versus the earlier versions. It all depends on how much power you need in your situation. Or you can hold until a used 7BSST2 is available for grab. 

[brucek]

......... the 4B-SST2 is newer and potentially more refined.........

What say you? Anyone heard both and care to comment?

If you examine the specifications of these two choices, you'll find them basically identical.

I would suggest the availability of more power and the ability to locate the mono amplifiers close to the speakers would trump any minor "refinement" difference.

brucek