[Renato6]

Hello

I currently have a 3B SST running a pair of Totem Acoustic Hawks.

I am looking to upgrade to the 3B SST2 or 4B SST2. Would the 4B SST2 be too powerful as the recommended power for the speakers are 30-120 W?

[srb]

No, as long as you don't overdrive the speaker into audible distortion, you should be fine if you choose to purchase a 4BSST². 

Advantages of 4BSST² over 3BSST²:

(a)  Greater headroom for peaks
        - most speakers can take short duration peaks greater than their RMS maximum power spec)
(b)  A few more watts of Class A power before transitioning to Class AB
        - could possibly give better sound at lower listening levels

Advantages of 3BSST² over 4BSST²:

(a)  Less expensive
(b)  Less power consumption and heat dissipation at idle
       - 127W vs 170W
(c)  Shorter chassis depth for restricted depth shelving
       - 11.2" vs 16"

Steve

[PRELUDE]

Hello

I currently have a 3B SST running a pair of Totem Acoustic Hawks.

I am looking to upgrade to the 3B SST2 or 4B SST2. Would the 4B SST2 be too powerful as the recommended power for the speakers are 30-120 W?

Hi
The 4B SST2 would never be powerful for any speakers but would be the best choice for anyone.

[Renato6]

Perfect.

Thanks for the response. I am in a condo right now so I don't push them very hard at all.

So at a low level the 4B SST2 sounds a bit better? I assumed that it was just a power boost but there seems to be a quality difference as well.

[Grit]

I went from a 9B-SST2 to a 4B-SST2 (and 6B-SST2). My speakers are Aerial Acoustics 7T's.

The best way I can describe the change was that with the 9B, I kept listening to the little bit I thought was missing. With the 4B, I just listened and found myself tapping my toe again.

I have a wife, todder, and one on the way. The stereo is in a small-ish room. I don't hardly ever play louder than an average of 75db, and usually lower. The amp change I noted was at those lower volumes.

[Renato6]

I went from a 9B-SST2 to a 4B-SST2 (and 6B-SST2). My speakers are Aerial Acoustics 7T's.

The best way I can describe the change was that with the 9B, I kept listening to the little bit I thought was missing. With the 4B, I just listened and found myself tapping my toe again.

I have a wife, todder, and one on the way. The stereo is in a small-ish room. I don't hardly ever play louder than an average of 75db, and usually lower. The amp change I noted was at those lower volumes.

Great.. good to hear. Looking forward to getting my 4B next week! 

[redbook]

  Congrats. Please let us know how you like it

[tdinut]

Congratulations.


I've found that more powerful amps do better across the board. Enjoy your new amps. My 28BSST2's are freaking outstanding.

[G E]

Congratulations.


I've found that more powerful amps do better across the board. Enjoy your new amps. My 28BSST2's are freaking outstanding.

More power brings a sense of ease to the music. I went from a 4 to a pair of 28's. I can't imagine ever running out of head room.

My current rev 4bsst2 is for sale ....

[HsvHeelFan]

My Kef's are rated for 10 - 150 Watts.     They're 6 ohm speakers, and my 4B-ST checked out at 288 watts per channel at 8 ohms.

My Kef's are super happy with the 4B-ST driving them for the past 14 years.

Prior to the Bryston, I had a 70 watt per channel integrated amp made in Japan.   It nuked my Kef tweeters twice before I replaced it with the Bryston.  The 4B-ST is the best money that I've ever spent on audio.

My typical listening session is 3  to 6 hours, non-stop at moderately high volume levels.

HsvHeelFan

[redbook]

The 4B ST has been with me since 2000. It checked out to 310 watts per.according to the test paper that came with it from  Bryston. It has been a real game changer to my system in every way. If you go to the SSTsq I would keep the ST as back up . You will never get what's it's worth on a trade or sale , perhaps enough to cover the tax. (IMO) Happy listening..........

[Tyreman]

I have a 4B ST on 804's does a great job

That said a 3B ST or subsequent versions no slouch either

[Marius]

HI Renato,


After listening to the whole range of Bryston amps, I ended up with the 28b's. Only because at that time i was in a fortunate position I could temporarily afford them ....


I certainly don't need them for my ESL's. But every next amp did have the extra liberation of sound and ease of playing we immediately experienced. They never break their sweat, nor run hot. Can handle anything we throw at them. Best Audio buy we ever made and probably the only thing we won't have to upgrade. Ever.


I might have been suffering some cognitive dissonance, my spouse certainly wasn't  . Still enjoying them ever since, on all styles of music. And thats quite the wide range in this household, with 4 siblings in their own experimental phases of developing musical taste.


Never looked back, or doubted the buy in hindsight. Which would make my advise: go with the biggest amps you can afford, you'll never regret it. And, doing so, you assure yourself of being ready for bigger speakers in the next 20 years or more.


Good luck!
Marius