Hi all, hi James,
I'm looking to get more power for my system.
I own Revel Studio 1 (and Voice, Embrace, sub30 aso) + 4B SST2 & 9B SST2.
I also have ML 326S (pre) + ML 390S (CDP) for 2ch and Lexicon MC12B for HT.
I need two mono amplifiers for my Studios.
I plan to bridge my 4B SST2 for the Voice.
I 'm looking for a used pair of Mark Levinson 436 (but quite hard to find here in Europe).
I also have a good deal on 2x 7B SST2 (2 years old)...
Who has ever tried/compared Bryston 7B SST2 vs ML 436 ?
The ML 436 seems to be more refined amp but the Bryston are here...
I would really like to get an advice here... 
This is not an advice since I did not do the direct and extensive comparison of the ML amp in question to 7B SST2 in my system, rather a rant about my experience and my opinion I consequently formed about the gear in question.
Out of the gear you have mentioned I have heard ML 326S pre (quite extensive audition in familiar system), 7B SST2 and 4B SST (again very extensive auditions in familiar system), ML 53 (compared to other amps in not so familiar system) and ML 531 or 532 (do not recall exactly which one, I guess they would sort of match the level of 436, and compared them to other amps in not so familiar system).
A summary description of each, with more focus on negatives, which does not imply negative opinion but rather describes potential difficulties in achieving transparent sound with specific component in a specific system.
If you want me to be more elaborate on any let me know.
4B SST is very good but not a match for any of mentioned ML amps in terms of capability to drive difficult loads.
7B SST2 (and SST version as well) is my preference especially when considering cost. I find it more open than ML amps I have heard.
ML 53 drives well almost anything but I still find it less involving than 7B, sounds somewhat dark and sort of slow when compared not only to 7B (based on memory) but some class A amps in direct comparison at the time.
ML 531/532 (whichever it may have been) was sort of between 4B and 53.
So in terms of amplification I was not too enthusiastic about ML and I found no reason to consider it as an upgrade to 7B SST2 despite great reviews and higher price.
I paid close attention to ML 326S in comparison to BP26 because I do not find BP26 transparent enough (when compared to capable DAC driving amps directly, note that very few DACs are capable of it), and I did not find any pre I heard till that point transparent enough.
ML 326S was noticeably more transparent than BP26 but only with 0dB gain setting, with 6dB it already exhibited loss in transparency. However even with 0dB the impression was mixed, because it did sound transparent (and good in other aspects) only on some recordings, but on some there were some significant omissions in upper midrange, especially with brass/horns, it was too bleached out and thin, as if it had no driving power to reproduce the intensity of trumpet blare for example. Not match to BDA-1 driving amps directly for example.
