[Monkey123]

Hi, I'm new to Bryston but am interested in a good 3 channel amp for my front 3 and it looks like a contender!  I have Kef LS50's (two Meta, one original version) across the front and typically cross them at 70 Hz to a Rythmik F12G sealed servo sub but rarely do run them full range when connected to my Chord dac and not my XMC-1 Pre/Pro. They are rated at 8 ohm but in reality are 4 ohm speakers.

What are the differences between the 6B SST² and 21B³ 3 channel amps?  They seem really similar and are similarly priced too. 

Do you think they are overkill?  I listen at very low/moderate levels 95% of the time but do crank them up occasionally for both music and movies and want them to rock when I do.  I will likely be rack mounting, but not a deal breaker.  I currently have a Parasound A23 for L/R and Emotiva A-500 for Center. 

I am also considering the Parasound A31 (or two A21's) which are much cheaper, but I assume the Bryston is a huge step up from it? 

Any advice is welcome, thank you


(just blacked out the wall this week and loving it!)

[mv038856]

Hi,

I am a big fan of the 3 channel 6B amplifiers from Bryston. Essentially, they are a 3 channel version of the famous 4B amplifier. Besides their sonic qualities, I am most impressed by their engineering quality. All Bryston amps are built like tanks, but the 6B SST(2) with its fully modular concept is even a notch higher, IMHO.

Unfortunately, the 6B did not get the squared update and the 21B3 is following a different concept with the three channels not providing the same power. In a Home theatre, where the LCR-speakers, if not identical, should at least be from the same line of the same manufacturer to get as close as possible to an identical sound signature across the front, the same should apply for the amplification of (at least) the three (identical) front channels. Here the 6B shines.



In my theater, a 9.1.6 config, all base channels get the 6B SST treatment, the ceiling speakers are driven by a 9B SST and the top speaker (voice of god) is driven by a 2B LP. The LCRs are Dynaudio Contour S 1.4 and the dozen surround and ceiling speakers are Dynaudio Contour S R. Powerwise, three 9B amplifiers would have been more than fine for my speakers, but I got the opportunity to buy a used 6B and once I had it in my possession, I just wanted more of them… 

[NekoAudio]

You can order the 9B3 with three amplification modules, for a 3-channel 9B3. And then add additional modules later to expand it to five channels.

[unincognito]

Yah I think a three channel 9B3 would be your best bet as well, the power matches well with LS50’s.  6B would be to much power and the 21B3 is designed for the active crossover line up, not that it couldnt be used else where.

Chris

[Alphonse]

I recently upgraded to a 3.0 system with a used Bryston SP3 and 3 Bryston Powerpac 300SST mono amps with Dynaudio Confidence 5s for LR and an Excite X28 center. Sounds great! The PP120SST amps may be another option to consider for the LS50s.

Al