[georgev]

I would like to upgrade my existing Acurus A250 & 200x3 amps.  I have a Bryston SP1.7 preamp/processor and would like help from forum members on which amps they recommend.  My budget is $3,000 to 4,000 CAD for a 2-channel amp and I was thinking of purchasing a Bryston 3B SST.  I will purchase a multi-channel amp next year to complete the 7.1 system, possible a 9B SST.  Please let me know what amps you found that work great with the SP1.7.  Thanks in advance.

[Phil A]

Any of the Bryston SST amps work very well with the 1.7.  More important - what speakers are you using and how big is your room and what are your listening preferences like (movies, music type, loud, medium, etc.)?

[georgev]

Phil A,

Thanks for the quick response.  Currently, I am using Klipsch RF-7's for front, RC-7 as the center and RF-82's for the rear and RSW-15 as the sub.  My room is approx. 23 x 13 feet.  I'm using Cardas speaker cable to connect all the speakers, which works very well with the horns on the Klipsch.  My preference is 80% 2-channel music and 15% multi-channel listening.  Very rarely do I watch movies.  I listen to mostly 70's to modern rock / alternative music (i.e. U2, Pink Floyd, Modest Mouse, etc.) at a medium listening level.

[Phil A]

According to their website:

"Specifications
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
32Hz-20kHz ±3dB 
POWER HANDLING:
250 w max continuous (1000 w peak) 
SENSITIVITY:
102dB @ 2.83 volts/1 meter 
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE:
8 ohms 
"

So they're extremely efficient and not a difficut load.  The 3BSST is more than enough. 

[georgev]

Sorry, my mistake I did not make my original question clear enough.  I would like to hear from members who have tried different brands of amps with Bryston Preamps?  Are there better synergies, more open or airy, etc?  Or do Bryston Preamps sound best with Bryston Amps.  Thanks.

[ec]

I owned the Acurus A250 and the A200 * 5 which I used with the SP 1.7.  I then I moved to the various SST amps (3B, 4B and 6B).  I believe the SST amps are more detailed in the midrange if I recall.  Also the SST amps provide balanced inputs, 12V triggers and bridging on the stereo models.  Your current amps are fine for your speakers.  The Bryston amps may be slight overkill.  If you plan to upgrade your speakers in the near future, then I would go for the Bryston amps.  If you are going to lay out some coin, I'd look at room treatments first.

[Levi]

I have tried several amps with the SP1.7.  I like the sound of the Classe CAV-180 in 2ch. 
. 
It is warm sounding which is highly addictive.  I think I like this amp in two channel better than in 5ch mode.  If you are watching movies a lot, I would get Bryston SST amp.  I am into 5.1ch movie watching at the time the only reason it was replaced by 9BSST amp.  Now, I have BAT-VK500 for 2ch listening which is integrated to...well just check my profile. 

Cheers.