[P_S]

We have determined (for reasons of visual aesthetics) nothat the Krell/Maggie setup will not work in our family room.

To that end (visual aesthetics) we're going to try out the Sonus Faber Maxima Amator, which calls for an amplifier that can produce "25 - 125W , without clipping" at 4 ohms.

If I buy a relatively cool-running amp, I have a relatively short (ten inches) but otherwise spacious (in depth and width) cabinet where I could stick it away and get improved aesthetics and some very short cable runs out of the arrangement.

So will the compact 2.5b3 (135W @ 8Ω but only 180W @ 4Ω) be "enough" to drive the speakers to their fullest sound, or do I need to go bigger? The price difference between the 2.5 and the 3 isn't a big deal to me but the space reduction would solve a lot of problems.

[genjamon]

You will find "enough" and "fullest" to be a pretty loaded terms around these parts.  And likely to be weighed by much more than specifications such as 180 watts into 4 ohms or whatever.  There will be those who will say, justifiably, that you won't get the "fullest" performance out of speakers powered by electronics at the lower end of the Bryston range, and that by moving up the range you will always bring greater control over the speakers, leading to a more effortless presentation with greater depth and breadth of soundstage.  So, in that sense, I doubt it will be "enough" to get the "fullest" performance out of the speakers. 

That said, will the amp make those speakers go loud, and have the power to put the drivers to their limits without clipping?  Yeah, I bet it can do that just fine, if that's all you're asking.  In fact, it looks like a damn fine amp to me.

But I have no personal experience owning Bryston, only having heard one of their larger stereo amps in an awe-inspiring system with Tyler Linbrook monitor speakers about 15 years ago.  First time I ever heard a soundstage so expansive and deep before.  Opened my eyes to high end sound in a big way.

Good luck!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

You should be fine with that amp.   The speakers are 88db and a nominal impedance of 4 ohms.  The amp is  rated at 180 wpc at 4 ohms and it will have a little more headroom I am sure.  There is more to power ratings of an amp such as current, voltage and capacitance.  Unfortunately, Bryston does not specify them.  Would the 3b3 give you better dynamics and bass control? Possibly depending upon how loud you play and the other specs of the 2.5b3 that I mentioned.

[gbaby]

We have determined (for reasons of visual aesthetics) nothat the Krell/Maggie setup will not work in our family room.

To that end (visual aesthetics) we're going to try out the Sonus Faber Maxima Amator, which calls for an amplifier that can produce "25 - 125W , without clipping" at 4 ohms.

If I buy a relatively cool-running amp, I have a relatively short (ten inches) but otherwise spacious (in depth and width) cabinet where I could stick it away and get improved aesthetics and some very short cable runs out of the arrangement.

So will the compact 2.5b3 (135W @ 8Ω but only 180W @ 4Ω) be "enough" to drive the speakers to their fullest sound, or do I need to go bigger? The price difference between the 2.5 and the 3 isn't a big deal to me but the space reduction would solve a lot of problems.

I own the 2.5SST2 and while it is rated at 135 wpm from 20 to 20k +/-3db, it was tested by Bryston at 163 wpc. They test all amps before shipping.

[Stovebolter]

My 4B3 delivers 330 wpc into 8 ohms, according to Bryston’s QC check.

[twitch54]

to your question I have one for you........ what is the size of your room, how far do you sit from your speakers ?

[P_S]

Thanks everyone for replying. @twitch54, my room is about 1000 square feet, heavily reflective, and everywhere perpendicular. It's a big room-- I won't always be in the same place-- but "normal" listening position is a triangle with the speakers 20 feet apart and the listening couch 15 feet away from each speaker.

[drummermitchell]

20 +20+20 that would be a triangle
Your 5’ short
That can make a Huge difference and sound staging

[P_S]

20*20*20 would be an equilateral triangle. As long as the sum of the two shorter segments is greater than the long segment, it's a triangle. I'm not an engineer but I think I'm on solid ground here

Are you conveying that an equilateral triangle is a particularly good setup? I honestly didn't know that. I can't keep the speakers there all the time but I can position them that way for listening. Thank you.