[andrewdoan1955]

I ordered the 4 B SST after couple times of audition with the AR SP 16 and Cary 303 CDP with Paradigm ref 40.3. In general, I love the sound of the combo SP16 and  4 B SST but I forget to do some research on the stability of the 4 B SST. There are fews threads testified that Bryston 4 B SST cannot handle below 4 ohm load. Some posters testified at 90 db listenning with 6 ohm/ 86 db speakers, the 4 B SST clipping like crazy. There must be a few 4 B SST owner out there, what is your take on that clipping issue? I am planning to buy the Maggie which is 4 ohm/ 86 db...Am I heading into disaster of disappoinment?

[Audiopro]

Have you got a link to these Audiogon articles?
 I've never known a Bryston to be unstable under any circumstances. If a 4BSST can't drive your Maggies then not too much will.

[Phil A]

I don't know where those threads are but I really doubt it.  I have Thiel 7.2s (86db, 4 ohms and they may even dip a hair below 3 ohms or around there) and at one point many moons ago had a 4BST in a large room (16x19 with 19ft. ceiling that opens into others spaces) and I think once the LED might have been red for a tenth of a second on a demanding home theater soundtrack.  I switched equipment before Bryston got into HT and sold that amp and after I got the SP1.7 I picked up a 6BSST (which has the same output per channel as the 4 BSST) and used it on the 3 front channels and had no problems at all.  Now my 14BSST (15 amp version as unfortunately I was not about to rip up stuff to run 12 ga. wire to the single receptacle on its own circuit breaker and the 20 amp would have been better) has a tendency due to the impedence of shutting off particularly on one channel if driven hard for a bit of time (and it has plenty of space around it) so I built a custom amp stand with fans.

[john1970]

Andrew,

I doubt if you will have any problems.  I use a Bryston 4B SST to drive a pair of VMPS RM40s with 3.5 ohm minimum impedance with 90 dB/1w/1m efficiency and I do not have any problems.  Most Bryston dealers will allow you to perform an in-house demo if you are concerned.  The best advice I can give is to test the amp with the speaker that you are going to purchase.

Best,

John

[andrewdoan1955]

Thanks guys. I don't have a specific thread but there are few Audiogon posters under member reviews/  heading under Bryston claimed that Bryston would clip with Aerial 8 and Vandersteen 5 .... What bothers me is I used to own SL3 and Arieus I from ML and I run them with Parasound HCA1500a ( 125w/ 8ohm) or Rotel 135 w amp...I never experience clipping or shut down even though these ML can dip below 2 ohm. Anyway, my order of 4 B SSt is on the way and I wish if I know then about low load unstability of Bryston, I could a wait a little longer to get the KAV2250 ( 250w into 8 ohm and 500w/4 ohm and 1000w/2 ohm). I thought the dual momo design of the 4 B SST would get me a little closer to the Krell KAV2250 but according to these posters that ain't so. Thanks again, Good night.

[Scotty]

Be advised that your maggies depending on the model you chose may be less than 86dB efficient. I was able to clip my modified Hafler 220 into MG3's when attempting to playback the Telarc recording of the Grand Canyon Suite and exceed
105dB at the listening position. As more power is fed into the maggies they tend to compress the signal and it doesn't sound like they get any louder past a certain point even though you are putting in more power.
Scotty