Customer feedback 4B SST2

tdinut · « **Reply #40 on:** 30 May 2012, 06:16 pm »

spinner · « **Reply #41 on:** 30 May 2012, 06:57 pm »

So it's as simple as just power ratings to achieve better sound?. Really? What about the tubies that run only a few watts? The 4B amp is more power that most speakers need to perform well (at least older JBLs like mine). I doubt it is worth the extra expense to me for extra power that I will never really use or need.( unless I opt for different speakers). My regards to Capt Kirk

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tdinut · « **Reply #42 on:** 30 May 2012, 07:19 pm »

Quote from: spinner on 30 May 2012, 06:57 pm

So it's as simple as just power ratings to achieve better sound?. Really? What about the tubies that run only a few watts? The 4B amp is more power that most speakers need to perform well (at least older JBLs like mine). I doubt it is worth the extra expense to me for extra power that I will never really use or need.( unless I opt for different speakers). My regards to Capt Kirk :

Nah, I'm just having a little fun. How often can I use that line anyway? I heard a 4BSST2 and was blown away on how good it sounded. Tremendous value for our money

I'm working my way to a Bryston amp myself.

Sasha · « **Reply #43 on:** 30 May 2012, 07:21 pm »

Quote from: spinner on 30 May 2012, 06:57 pm

So it's as simple as just power ratings to achieve better sound?. Really? What about the tubies that run only a few watts? The 4B amp is more power that most speakers need to perform well (at least older JBLs like mine). I doubt it is worth the extra expense to me for extra power that I will never really use or need.( unless I opt for different speakers). My regards to Capt Kirk :

Passive speakers are not simple resistive load, so more powerful amps do make significant difference. Low powered tube amps can only drive speakers designed with focus on single or in best case few parameters and with objective to present an easy and efficient load to low powered amps at the expense of all other parameters, what ends up being quite an unbalanced set of compromises.

spinner · « **Reply #44 on:** 30 May 2012, 07:25 pm »

Thanks Sasha for the info .

Good listening to all

vegasdave · « **Reply #45 on:** 30 May 2012, 07:47 pm »

Quote from: tdinut on 30 May 2012, 07:19 pm

Nah, I'm just having a little fun. How often can I use that line anyway? I heard a 4BSST2 and was blown away on how good it sounded. Tremendous value for our money I'm working my way to a Bryston amp myself.

The 4B is a cool little amp. I think you'll be happy with it.

werd · « **Reply #46 on:** 30 May 2012, 08:34 pm »

Quote from: spinner on 30 May 2012, 05:35 pm

Let's try again. In what ways does the 14B sound (really any better) than a 4B. I'm of course referring to the sst squared models .

Ok

The 14B has more power. What that ends up meaning is the amp has better control of the sound stage. This will show up at all volumes and not to mention the 14b will play louder dependent on the speakers.

Localization of the instrurments has a nice effortless appeal to it. They appear in the soundstage layered with more attack and a nice natural decay. It powers the resolution of the soundstage better. You get better rendering of instuments with lots of air. In fact it sounds like the amp powers the air between the instruments. You get More of that with the 14B.

PRAT loves big power in SS. It's nice to have all the layering and resolution but it's loses it's appeal if the amp can't power the layering and resolution while maintaining prat. Filler sounds that you get with better resolution will actually appear with a beat or an attached musical rhythm that makes sense. This is really
Important with jazz and classical. The music makes sense. The filler sounds make musical sense. Theyve become part of the music. You get this with the 4B but it's better with the 14B. I am sure the same can be said about the 28s compared to the 14B. There is more but its too long of a topic to continue.

larevoj · « **Reply #47 on:** 31 May 2012, 01:36 am »

All true - however there is a diminishing return as you move up the ladder.

In another words you have to make your dollar worth in this economy. Therefore it has to be application driven in the decision of your amplifier ratings to the speakers you are driving, the listening distance, and room size or volume.

I currently has the 4BSST2 and instead of going for a 14B (the only one I can fit in my room) or the monos (which I much preferred) i.e. 7B or 28B - I choose to upgrade my power supply and that is with BIT 16 and replaced all my power cords. The overall gain in my system is huge and in IMHO its worth my dollar base on my application and system its driving.

Without a doubt 28 is better over 7 over 14 over...etc. but mounting a monster truck size tires on a F1 racing vehicle doesn't make it look any tougher.

spinner · « **Reply #48 on:** 31 May 2012, 03:03 pm »

Thanks again folks for your input on this issue....appreciate it

werd · « **Reply #49 on:** 31 May 2012, 03:40 pm »

Quote from: larevoj on 31 May 2012, 01:36 am

All true - however there is a diminishing return as you move up the ladder.

In another words you have to make your dollar worth in this economy. Therefore it has to be application driven in the decision of your amplifier ratings to the speakers you are driving, the listening distance, and room size or volume.

I currently has the 4BSST2 and instead of going for a 14B (the only one I can fit in my room) or the monos (which I much preferred) i.e. 7B or 28B - I choose to upgrade my power supply and that is with BIT 16 and replaced all my power cords. The overall gain in my system is huge and in IMHO its worth my dollar base on my application and system its driving.

Without a doubt 28 is better over 7 over 14 over...etc. but mounting a monster truck size tires on a F1 racing vehicle doesn't make it look any tougher.

There is a diminishing return but it's a leveling issue. Using everything the same and up grading your amp will tell you a lot about your speakers IMO. It reveals how well your speakers accept amplfication upgrades. The Imorovement going from a new 4B to a 14B was significant. After getting my 14B I emailed James and remarked that the price difference between the two amps was clearly worth it. That improvement was largely due to the quality of my Adagios. Those speakers easily demonstrated the performance upgrade of that amp. I am pretty sure that I have hit the ceiling as to what I can get out of those speakers. IOWs the 28s would probably not see much more of an improvement. I would say the same with the PMCs OB1s. Tons of performance upgrade potential to the 7/14Bs. After that the law of diminishing returns will reign.

vegasdave · « **Reply #50 on:** 31 May 2012, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: werd on 31 May 2012, 03:40 pm

There is a diminishing return but it's a leveling issue. Using everything the same and up grading your amp will tell you a lot about your speakers IMO. It reveals how well your speakers accept amplfication upgrades. The Imorovement going from a new 4B to a 14B was significant. After getting my 14B I emailed James and remarked that the price difference between the two amps was clearly worth it. That improvement was largely due to the quality of my Adagios. Those speakers easily demonstrated the performance upgrade of that amp. I am pretty sure that I have hit the ceiling as to what I can get out of those speakers. IOWs the 28s would probably not see much more of an improvement. I would say the same with the PMCs OB1s. Tons of performance upgrade potential to the 7/14Bs. After that the law of diminishing returns will reign.

Cool. Sounds good. I would agree having heard the 7Bs and 28Bs several times.

redbook · « **Reply #51 on:** 31 May 2012, 09:31 pm »

But Vegas, don't we love the 4B for the great amp it is and always will be?

vegasdave · « **Reply #52 on:** 31 May 2012, 11:46 pm »

Quote from: redbook on 31 May 2012, 09:31 pm

But Vegas, don't we love the 4B for the great amp it is and always will be?

Of course!

Is that an SST or SST2?

larevoj · « **Reply #53 on:** 1 Jun 2012, 01:36 am »

Quote from: werd on 31 May 2012, 03:40 pm

There is a diminishing return but it's a leveling issue. Using everything the same and up grading your amp will tell you a lot about your speakers IMO. It reveals how well your speakers accept amplfication upgrades. The Imorovement going from a new 4B to a 14B was significant. After getting my 14B I emailed James and remarked that the price difference between the two amps was clearly worth it. That improvement was largely due to the quality of my Adagios. Those speakers easily demonstrated the performance upgrade of that amp. I am pretty sure that I have hit the ceiling as to what I can get out of those speakers. IOWs the 28s would probably not see much more of an improvement. I would say the same with the PMCs OB1s. Tons of performance upgrade potential to the 7/14Bs. After that the law of diminishing returns will reign.

I am not sure my GE will appreciate the upgrade for a bigger amp like the 7/14Bs but at the moment the 4B sings very well for me

Since its a standmount with 86dB/W/m at 4ohm and at near field listening in a small room I don't really need more power...however, if I have some spare cash why not! The more the merrier!!

vegasdave · « **Reply #54 on:** 1 Jun 2012, 04:34 am »

Yeah, why not. You'll get more dynamics and perhaps better sound all across the board.

redbook · « **Reply #55 on:** 1 Jun 2012, 12:08 pm »

As far as I know it's a 4B squared. I got this off a web report . Nice mono layout huh !

werd · « **Reply #56 on:** 1 Jun 2012, 11:44 pm »

Quote from: larevoj on 1 Jun 2012, 01:36 am

I am not sure my GE will appreciate the upgrade for a bigger amp like the 7/14Bs but at the moment the 4B sings very well for me Since its a standmount with 86dB/W/m at 4ohm and at near field listening in a small room I don't really need more power...however, if I have some spare cash why not! The more the merrier!!

You are doing good. I know what got using the SF. I have been there and its excellent. The Bit s and 4Bs are made for one another. Is that your system in the gallery?. Those speaks would love the 14.

Fwiw my listening and your listening habits are similar. A lot near field listening too. Hurry up and get some spare cash, hehe you will be glad you did.

vegasdave · « **Reply #57 on:** 2 Jun 2012, 02:03 am »

Quote from: redbook on 1 Jun 2012, 12:08 pm

As far as I know it's a 4B squared. I got this off a web report . Nice mono layout huh !

Ok, cool. and yep!

larevoj · « **Reply #58 on:** 2 Jun 2012, 05:17 am »

Haha...yah, there have been a number of folks suggested I should change out the 4BSST2 as the Torus looks bigger then the amplifier!!

Yes, the one in the gallery is my system...not the latest though and have updated my current system setup.

Quote from: werd on 1 Jun 2012, 11:44 pm

You are doing good. I know what got using the SF. I have been there and its excellent. The Bit s and 4Bs are made for one another. Is that your system in the gallery?. Those speaks would love the 14.

Fwiw my listening and your listening habits are similar. A lot near field listening too. Hurry up and get some spare cash, hehe you will be glad you did.

MOZ · « **Reply #59 on:** 4 Jun 2012, 07:38 am »

Hi,

I've just switched from a 4B SST2 (driving my Revel studio 1) to two 7B SST2 and the change is tremendous for me !
I do get real stunning infra bass now (the 4B could'nt get my speakers to the low bottom in that way !), my speakers seems to be as light as feathers and i get music so right and cool on the entire spectrum that i just can't imagine going back now...
The 4B SST2 is a good amp, but if your speakers are demanding in real power you should consider the 7B's !

My 4B now powers my center speaker in bridged mode (1kW !) and that's an other change too