[Osadu]

Considering 7B-SST2 or 28B-SST2 for B&W 802D?  Is the 28B an overkill?  Will I lose sonic finese (compared to 28B)  if I go for 7B?

[Laundrew]

Both the 7B SST² and the 28B SST² are excellent amplifiers.

As for the 28B SST² being “overkill,” personally - I think not. The 28B SST² is a most sophisticated, 1000 plus-watt-amplifier. It has all the delicacies and subtle nuances of a gentle April rain and at the same instant, a serene ferociousness that lurks just under the surface.

Be well…

[WBimmer]

Considering 7B-SST2 or 28B-SST2 for B&W 802D?  Is the 28B an overkill?  Will I lose sonic finese (compared to 28B)  if I go for 7B?

I have to agree with Laundrew, that they're definately not overkill.  I currently own the 14B-SST2, which is essentially a pair of 7B's in one chassis and I've compared the 14B to the 28B's and if the funds allow, then the 28B's are the clear winner in my mind.

My advice - buy the 28B's.

Wayne.

[95Dyna]

I currently own the 14B-SST2, which is essentially a pair of 7B's in one chassis

Wayne.

Except for the not so minor detail that the 7B SST2's have double the power supply capcitance of the 14B.

[werd]

Except for the not so minor detail that the 7B SST2's have double the power supply capcitance of the 14B.

I think that difference has been narrowed with this latest transformer upgrade that the 14B underwent. These transformers recover caps instantly as opposed to periodically in the older models.

Hehe i own a 14b so i guess i gotta be defensive....

[95Dyna]

I think that difference has been narrowed with this latest transformer upgrade that the 14B underwent. These transformers recover caps instantly as opposed to periodically in the older models.

Hehe i own a 14b so i guess i gotta be defensive....

Not according to James:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=78244.0

[werd]

His answer isnt clear...

[95Dyna]

His answer isnt clear...

I thought the same thing at first then upon further thought the word "it" requires and antecedent.  Looking back over the fullvolume post the only word that makes sense as an antecedent is "advantage".  Thus my interpretation that the 7B capacitance advantage "still applies".  I guess it would be best to ask James for a clarification.  The correct differentiation would be valuable to a potential Bryston customer who is trying to decide between the two.

[James Tanner]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the confusion - yes the 2 advantages still apply. Recognize the extra power supply capacitance is only applicable as the load gets more difficult (very low impedances) so given the vast majority of speakers out here I think you would have a difficult time picking out a 7B from a 14B under blind listening tests assuming the same length of speaker cable.

James

PS - one advantage of the 14B over the 7B is the 14B looks a lot sexier in my opinion

[95Dyna]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the confusion - yes the 2 advantages still apply. Recognize the extra power supply capacitance is only applicable as the load gets more difficult (very low impedances) so given the vast majority of speakers out here I think you would have a difficult time picking out a 7B from a 14B under blind listening tests assuming the same length of speaker cable.

James

PS - one advantage of the 14B over the 7B is the 14B looks a lot hornier in my opinion

Yeah, with the 14 you can always tell someone it's a 28B and hope they don't look too close at the LED's or go looking for the other one.   Thanks for the clarification, James and I am breathing a sigh of relief.  One of a couple reasons I went with the 7's was the nasty impedence drop below 1 ohm that my speaks present in the 25-30 Hz range.  I thought the extra capacitance would be a margin for error.  They're doing a great job never getting above luke warm under the heaviest of bass infested loads with the green LED steady as she goes.

[werd]

Thanx for that response James

I wrote this before your reply but here it goes anyways

There is no doubt that having more cap volume is better, but the Torus transformers narrow the advantage by more efficient cap regen. I am sure there are conditions where having more cap is good, like high spl and transients. But normally the power regen bumps up the performance. It just narrows the difference.

Right now i have my pre sitting right over my 14B with a .5mtr xlr. I know using xlr's reduce cable length fatigue of all sorts but i cant helping thinking that shorter in xlr is better too. I also use a 1mtr power lead to the wall which wouldnt have been possible with 7B's for me. I wouldve need 3mtr lengths.

[Fullvolume]

I love the size of the 14B........it would nice to have the 7B in the 14B housing