2b vs 9b?

sikoniko · « **on:** 22 Apr 2006, 07:20 pm »

In my current setup, my surround and rear speakers are B&W SCM1's rated at 120W. I am currently using a single Parasound HCA 750A to power the back 2 speakers and the side 2 speakers are not currently in use.

Since I decided to upgrade my pre to Bryston, I have also decided to upgrade the surround and rear amps to bryston as well, as I am not happy with the parasound.

Originally, I thought I would just get a 5 channel amp, and use 4 of the channels, but the 9b is almost 5k list.

Today I was nosin around the web and came across the 2b, and from a price standpoint, could save money from the 9b by getting 2 of these, plus I could phase them in one at a time and have less of a financial hit all at once.

My question is, would these do justice for the SCM1's or would I be better off waiting potentially 1 year to get the 9b?

_andy_ · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 01:37 am »

...you also have the option of ordering the 9B in 4 channel mode, since it is completely modular design & you could add the extra 5th amp module later.....maybe this will bring the price down to your budget parameters. Or you could order it in 2ch config, maybe add 2 more amp modules later etc...options...options...

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:51 am »

Congrats on the upgrade to Bryston gear!

I would suggest you wait. The back surrounds are important but not as important as the front L, C, R channels. I see excellent deal on agon on Bryston equipment once in a while.

Enjoy!

sikoniko · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 03:09 am »

My L/C/R are fine for the time being. I have NuForce Ref9's powering B&W N802's. I may upgrade to the SE's down the road.

I don't think the 9b can be sold as anything smaller than a 3 channel. My concern would be on the resale value of a 4 channel amp should I ever want to change in the future.

antt · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 06:10 am »

Quote from: sikoniko

I don't think the 9b can be sold as anything smaller than a 3 channel. My concern would be on the resale value of a 4 channel amp should I ever want to change in the future.

According to the brochure I have, the 9bsst can be ordered with 2 or more channels. (Don't you wish manufacturer's made their manuals as nice as their brochures?). I don't know what the price is for a 2 channel 9bsst. But if you like what you hear, you can order further modules and add them in (or have them added in).

But there is one factor which may have an impact on your choice: The 9bsst channels have only half the capacitance of other sst amps. So it's possible the 2bsst will sound better. (I'm assuming we're dealing with the sst series).

Good luck!

_andy_ · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 02:04 pm »

Quote from: sikoniko

I don't think the 9b can be sold as anything smaller than a 3 channel.

....i wasn't just pulling that out of thin air. It's also explicitly stated at the Bryston website.
2,3,4,5 ch versions....2,3,4 ch versions could be upgraded to 5ch versions at any time thereafter. Resale would be equally strong regardless of the config.