BP26/3BSST vs B100SST and FB1+ upgrade?

Yogus · « **on:** 5 Jan 2005, 10:43 am »

Hi

After hearing a mightily impressive BP25/4BSST combo, I'm thinking of either one of the following:

1) BP26/3BSST to go with my PMC FB1s
2) B100SST and upgrade my FB1 to "+" spec

I know the BP26 and B100SST are not available yet in my country, but which is likely to give me a better "bang for buck"?

I know I could do (1) and upgrade the FB1s to "+" spec later, but once I splurge on (1) I won't have enough money for a long time to do the "+" upgrade. (2) is I think about 30-40% less in $$$ than (1).

(My source is an Arcam Alpha 9CD, which I don't really plan on changing at this stage).

James Tanner · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 12:55 pm »

The B100 SST would be the better value but remember it is 100 watts not 150.

james

Yogus · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 10:31 pm »

I guess the trade-off is

1. The MPS2 power supply of the Bp26 plus the extra 50watts of the 3BSST, over
2. The "plus" upgrade

Would I be right in assuming that:
(1) would give me better power handling, increased dynamics, soundstaging, better bass, whilst (2) (from what I've seen in reviews of the FB1+ and from what I've heard) would give improved detail and midrange purity and a smoother sound?

James Tanner · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Jan 2005, 10:39 pm »

Hi Yogus,

I agree - well said.

james

Yogus · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jan 2005, 05:51 am »

OK, now I'm confused.

I heard a BP25/3BST (not SST) with my FB1s and thought that was pretty good and the dealer was offering a really good deal on that.

How different would a BP25/3BST vs a B100SST be?

I guess the difference is 20W extra of the former vs the SST output devices on the latter. Which would make more of a difference?

Thanks

James Tanner · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jan 2005, 02:04 pm »

Hi Yogus,

The new SST output devices in the 3B SST and B100 SST make a substantial difference in performance on the output stage whereas the preamp section in the B-100 is similar to the BP26.

james