[IAMHEP]

I am looking for a little advice in choosing the perfect Bryston amplifier for my newly acquired Sonus Faber Cremona M's. I am currently driving them with a B60R (along with BDP-2/BDA-1) in a 15'x 25' room and they sound damn good. Longing for more, I've convinced myself that more power will be needed to maximize the potential of the Cremona's. Would the 3BSST2 be enough and or would the 4BSST2 be overkill? Cremona's spec 50-250 watts as the sweet spot which would seem to match up with the 3BSST2 perfectly. My plan is once the right amplifier is in place, switch out the B60R (preamp section) with either a BP26 or ARC LS-27. Anyone have experience with either amp and the Cremona's?

[Samurai7595]

I have the Bryston 4B-SST2 driving my ProAc Response D30R speakers in an 11' x 13' room with no issues.

Not sure if it's "overkill" but for the small price difference between the 3B-SST2 and 4B-SST2 amps, I decided to go for the more powerful amp in case I ever decide to move the system to a larger room and to know that with the more powerful amp, I would never be in a position to "stress" the amp (if that makes sense).

[john1970]

I would also recommend the more power amp (4B SST2) give the relatively small price increase.  The extra headroom and current capacity will never be a disadvantage.

Best,
John

[stereocilia]

John1970's rationale is precisely why I chose the 4Bsst2.  No regrets.  This amp is a keeper, man.

[mrhyfy]

Later on, the 4bsst 2 will resell for more!

[IAMHEP]

Thank you all for the advice. I've settled on a new 4BSST2 which should arrive tomorrow from Audio Advisor. Beyond the increased power, I felt the dual mono design justified the extra $700. One dealer told me it's like a mini 14BSST2.
I hope so and look forward to hearing my Cremona's fully breathe. 

My next move is to put into play my old Anthem PRE 2L  to see how the system reacts to a tube front end (versus the pre out of my Bryston B60R.)

Thanks again for the input.

Bruce
Traverse City, Michigan

[IAMHEP]

I have the new 4BSST2 in play now and even though it is early, the amp is sounding better by the minute. The preamp section of the B60R sounds pretty good too. All the new High Rez files are brilliant through my system. Thanks again for the advice.

[stereocilia]

That looks great.       I also chose black, but I have the taller cherry salamander rack.  I wish I had the shorter one like that so I could put it between the speakers without acoustic interference.

[Ron D]

As info I believe the 3B amp only differs from the 4B version in terms of power (smaller transformers and maybe number and/or size of caps) but should still be a dual mono design like the 4B amp.

Great choice - years of enjoyment coming your way!

[srb]

As info I believe the 3B amp only differs from the 4B version in terms of power (smaller transformers and maybe number and/or size of caps) but should still be a dual mono design like the 4B amp.

Yep.

Bryston 3B SST²