[jbl]

I am looking to upgrade from my current amplifiers (Emotiva XPA-DR1).  Wondering if any Bryston or Magnepan owners could share their experience with the two. 

Considering the 28B 3 monos, 14B 3 stereo, or the 7B 3 monos. 

I like my music moderate to loud so looking for more power.  Had tried a Parasound A21, Sanders Magtech, and currently the Emotiva XPA-DR1's. 

The Parasound was nice at low volume but lacked dynamics and fell apart at moderate+ volumes.  The Sanders had sufficient power but noise floor was higher than the Emotiva's and not quite as musical(surprise).

The Emotiva's have been excellent amplifiers but I think may be the weak link in my system.  Looking for a more musicality, dynamics, and smoothness.  Something I understand the new Bryston cubed amps do very well.

Lumin U1 streamer-SR Mig
Lumin X1 PSU-SR Orange Fuse, SR Mig, B24
Berkeley Audio Designs Alpha DAC Reference Series 3-SR Orange Fuse, SR Mig, B24
Pi Audio DigiBuss-streamer, DAC, B16
Pi Audio UberBuss-monoblock amps, B24
Emotiva XPA-DR1 monoblocks-B16
Magnepan 3.7i with upgraded crossover parts-Sonicaps capacitors, Jantzen foil/wax inductors, Mye Sound custom stands
Iconoclast AES/EBU digital cable, speaker cables(dual run), XLR cables


JBL

[mcmusicman]

Greetings OP,
     I can not speak to the models you are looking at purchasing but I can speak to my experience with the 4B3.  I have about 15 months now listening to this amplifier with my Magnepan 1.7s. I have often thought about moving up to the 3.7i but in my current music room what I have is perfect. (15x12)  I spent at least a year researching before I made the purchase. My previous amplifier, while made by a reputable company with a large following here, had an annoying hum that bothered me even though it was only noticeable when I was within a foot of the panels. Everything about the 4B3 was perfect for my listening tastes the day I put it in my system. My ears had become so conditioned by the previous amplifier what I thought was smooth was actually smear. I found that I was substituting "loudness" to compensate for a lack of quality. The pace and definition was a night and day improvement. My Magnepan panels literally came alive.  I consider the 4B3 to be the best audio purchase I have ever made and would not hesitate to buy one again. Much misinformation exist in the market among keyboard warriors who frankly have never spent any time with the cubed series.  I find the upper end perfectly presented; clear, clean, accurate, detailed but not annoying or sharply bright in anyway.  The midrange is everything you would expect when coupled with Magnepan and more. I would describe it as "full and satisfying".  The sound stage is wide, tall and has depth.  Bass is substantial, extremely quick in difficult passages and never blurry. Listening to the middle quartets by the Julliard Strings I can close my eyes and point to the first, second, cello and viola as their chairs are placed in my room.  I find the 4B3 completely honest and it will expose bad recordings or poor performing equipment upstream.  When I roll tubes in my preamp the differences are distinct and evident. The neutrality is such that I get exactly what the recording presents. Since most of what I listen to is High Res Digital, I appreciate accurate dead space & "black-ground", the 4B3 does not disappoint. I am not an audio review writer type guy, so please forgive my stumbling descriptions if this missive does not make sense. I am just a guy who listens to his Bryston five hours a night and has no intention of ever selling it.  I must not be alone in this regard, they are rarely available in the newer used market.  I can not explain why but the synergy between Bryston and Magnepan is real. The quality is unmistakable. Best of all, I no longer look for any equipment to change, I just listen to the music.  Cheers.

[jbl]

mcmusicman,

Appreciate the feedback.  Very informative and well articulated.  My local audio shop is in the process of procuring a 14B3 to demo but 2 months away.  Looking forward to it very much.  Currently demoing a Hegel H20 which sounds great and a big step up in sound quality from my Emo's but severely underpowered.  The 3.7i's shine dynamically with a 1kw or more of power.  I too spend several hours a day just sitting and listening to music.  One of my favorite activities.  So much great music to listen and discover with streaming.


jbl

[mcmusicman]

A few years ago I "unplugged" and did away with the TV sets in my home so every night the music is playing. Do not regret it in the least.
One of the benefits was missing all of the political campaign ads.  So when I say 5 hours a day, it is true. I am ever so grateful for Qobuz, there is an endless supply.

[docadhoc]

I am looking to upgrade from my current amplifiers (Emotiva XPA-DR1).  Wondering if any Bryston or Magnepan owners could share their experience with the two. 

Considering the 28B 3 monos, 14B 3 stereo, or the 7B 3 monos. 

I have the 3.7i’s and currently the 28b sst2. The Maggies demands a LOT of power to shine - if you can afford it, do not hesitate - go for the 28. My previous amp with the Maggies were at 4b sst2 - much too little effect.

[Markwatkiss]

Watts with Magnepans are like sex you can never have too much.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Get a Bryston and don't look back.  They are a great combination.  It will be a huge step up from the Emotiva.  I use a Pass amp (500wpc at 4 ohms) with my 1.6's but I would strongly consider a Bryston amp if anything happened to my Pass.  Before my Pass X250 I had a Parasound A21 which was ok with the 1.6's but pale in comparison to my Pass and I am sure a Bryston.  I heard Bryston and Magnepan in the past.  With the 3.7i's I would buy as much power as you are comfortable buying.  At least 500wpc.  I have a friend that has the 3.7's and he runs two AVA 600R amps which are 600wpc.  His 3.7's sound great.

[jbl]

Thank you all for the comments.  I have a 14B3 on the way for demo by my local Bryston dealer.  Looking forward to hearing how the 14B3 does with my 3.7i. 


jbl