[Watson]

There's a lot of talk about Bryston's more expensive models, but I was wondering if anyone has any comments on the lower end amps, specifically the 2B SST^2 or 3B SST^2. If one doesn't need the extra power, is it worth getting the 3B SST^2 anyway?

I was really impressed by the measurements of the 7B SST^2 in the recent Stereophile review... it's an amp design that measures almost like an idealized, unrealizable tube amp, which is a very good thing. I haven't seen another solid state amp quite like it. Does the 3B SST^2 have more of the SST^2 "enhancements" than the 2B SST^2, or are they basically variations on the same circuit? If I could get a lower powered equivalent to the 7B SST^2, that would be perfect.

[Mag]

I can't answer your question completely, I don't know what the extra power does for the sound. But I noticed the lower noise floor right off the bat and the control of the speakers. When the music stops the speaker stops. The harshness from the tweeters is gone. This took about a week to adjust to the controlled highs as it skewed my volume perception. Once I got used to it though the volume is actually perceived louder at lower volume. The 3B SST/2 sound is so pleasing and detailed that I'm cranking the volume to 100 decibels at times, that is where the amp truly shines. I estimate the difference over the 3B SST to be about 30% improvement.

Also what I mentioned before is the SST/2 processes more detail from a source that the SST or other lesser amps can't.

[Mad Mr H]

Also what I mentioned before is the SST/2 processes more detail from a source that the SST or other lesser amps can't.

This is what I have been waiting to hear about for a long time now..........

Could you go into as much detail of the 3B SST vs SST2 as possible ?

I know when I went ST to SST that this was a very large step forward, I have been unsure about going SST2 from SST.

Maybe you could put this in its own thread?

Thank you.

[FullRangeMan]

Iam in the same situation as Watson, a 2B or a 3B will fit my needs pérfectly, but I have no acess to the relevant info to decide.
Also no acess to listen the amps!
Gustavo

[Mag]

This is what I have been waiting to hear about for a long time now..........

Could you go into as much detail of the 3B SST vs SST2 as possible ?

I know when I went ST to SST that this was a very large step forward, I have been unsure about going SST2 from SST.

Maybe you could put this in its own thread?

Thank you.

Search for thread 'SST/2 made for Rock!'. I listen in MC stereo mainly. In two channel Pure Direct mode I thought that it sounded a tad bassy in that my receiver pre-amp can't process the extra bass resolution. So I think a demo with a pre-amp you intend to use should be done to be sure that you are happy with an SST/2.

[Mag]

I transferred this from 4B SST/2 reviews.

A review for the 3B SST 2, first impressions.

The unit finally arrived and after unwinding from work, spent the next 2 1/2 hours setting everything up in my multi-channel configuration.

Originally I was just going to swap out my sst with the 2. Then I said the heck with it just get everything up and running. So this is more a subjective than objective evaluation. Since I changed out amps and speaker arrangement.

After only two rock cd's, I'm confident in how the sst 2 is effecting the sound. Overall I would say there is much more vibe to the music, particularly in the bass spectrum let's say 20 to 30% improvement. This is at about 95 decibels. The plucking of bass guitar being more dicernible.

I didn't detect a change in vocal characteristics from other Bryston amps. The shrillness associated with cd from a set of speakers was gone. This changed the perception of loudness for me slightly and I can up the volume 2 or 3 notches before being too loud.

Yep, this amp takes the sound to a higher level of enjoyment!

This is not a change that may take two weeks to adjust to, is totally the Bryston sound, with vibe!

[Mad Mr H]

If I could get a lower powered equivalent to the 7B SST^2, that would be perfect.

I have not put a 2B up against a 3B.

I have only had the 3B and larger.

Currently I have a tri amp system with 3,4,7+7 all SST series.

I also have a bi system with 7+7 all SST series.

I prefer the 7+7 bi amp sound, and so am looking to change the tri amp system. The ultimate would be all 7's......

So for 'ME' if you are thinking shuld you go 2 or 3B SST2 , then my money would be in the 3B SST2.

Andy.

 

[werd]

This is what I have been waiting to hear about for a long time now..........

Could you go into as much detail of the 3B SST vs SST2 as possible ?

I know when I went ST to SST that this was a very large step forward, I have been unsure about going SST2 from SST.

Maybe you could put this in its own thread?

Thank you.

Hey Mad mr

I started with a 4bsst, then a 4bsq and now a 14Bsq. And i still have the 4Bsq in my house. i will be doing direct comparisons shortly between the two.

[Mad Mr H]

Do you have an opinion now bewteen them all?

Even if it changes when you do side by side........