[tdb4rdd]

Hello,

Looking for your advise.

I am currently looking for amplifier solution for front L-C-R channels (home theater) that will be driving ZU Definition 2.0 (L & R).

6B SST2 would be overkill for my speakers (perhaps?) and also out of my budget.

So looking for combinations of following

2B SST + Powerpak 120 And 3 channel version of 9B SST so that I can add channels for surround later.

Do you think that the performance in stereo will be the same for these 2 scenarios? One of my criterias is strong performance in stereo.


Should I replace 2B with 3B? Will that make difference for ZU Definition?

Any other ideas?

Many thanks in advance.

Rakesh.

[tdb4rdd]

I did further research on this forum. It looks like 4B is a front-runner for 2-channel application and I am willing to start with best even if it means I skip on central channel for now.

[1oldguy]

I would think your doing the right thing.Movies are much more demanding than music.Having the extra wattage up front  is a good move.....But for the rears you can get away with much less power.

[SoundGame]

It would be good to make a decision as to whether your system will be primarily used for HT or stereo listening.  If it's 50/50 then your setup and budget should be balanced evenly between the two.

You need to decide on a budget and timeline.  In other words, how much do you want to spend immediately and how much down the road.  This allows you to either implement a full solution immediately or complete it in stages.  The latter will typically allow you more room to spend on higher quality / more costly equipment.

In a HT setup, the PRIMARY channel in use is the centre channel (not the L/R).  Many HT setups ignore this and focus most attention on the L/R.  I would say for HT, the best amplification and quality would go into the centre channel and subwoofer.  That said, you need to ensure the performance/tonality of the amplification and speakers is consistent to ensure adequate blending of the sounds that pan between channels.

Your speakers appear to be operable with fairly low power e.g. 60 watts / channel but also allow for an RMS input of up to 500 watts / channel.  I'm not that familiar with them to make a decision but a 4B-SST should provide more than sufficient power to run them; however, if HT is your focus - a centre channel that matches your left and right will call for similar performance and therefore, a 6B-SST would be a prime choice.  For the rear channels a 2B-SST might be sufficient - speaker dependent.  Alternatively, to even out the playing field and ensure consistency across the spectrum a 9B-SST with all five channels powered will perform for your HT and in stereo, though you won't have as much grunt as a 4B-SST for stereo performance - the quality, sonics and tonality are the same across the Bryston stereo amplifiers (for the most part), with power delivery being the main difference.

[SHV]

You need to decide on a budget and timeline.  In other words, how much do you want to spend immediately and how much down the road.  This allows you to either implement a full solution immediately or complete it in stages.  The latter will typically allow you more room to spend on higher quality / more costly equipment.
*******
Perhaps the starting point is based on "personality".  Seems like people are either "keepers" or "swappers"; this seems to apply to AV gear, cars, cameras, watches, etc.  I fall into the keeper category, buy good stuff, keep it and add to it as budget allows.  If your are a keeper then start your system with the 4B and add to it.

I started my Bryston adventure a decade + ago with a 3B and then over time added 6B, 7Bs, SP, BDA, BDP, etc.  I may have reached my "keeper" end point, however, I just counted 20+ pieces of electronic gear, excluding speakers, in my AV area.

Steve

Steve

[tdb4rdd]

Thanks to all of you for great advise.

I agree with all your points specifically like to start with 'quality' and build-up gradually rather than go with entire solution constrained by budget.

I will be looking out for brand new 4B SST2 and then look for 6B (3 channel) later or perhaps the used in mint condition.

Once again, thank you very much.

[ian.ameline]

You really can't go wrong with a 4B, or any bryston product for that matter. They are an amazing company -- they produce the best products of their kind at a reasonable price, and then they stand behind them -- if anything goes wrong, they make it right. It's just that simple.

They're also really nice people.

Cheers,
Ian.

[john1970]

Recently I purchased a 9B SST2 to complement a 4B SST2 to provide 7 channels of Bryston amplification in two amplifiers.  I don't notice a major difference in power between the 9B SST2 and 4B SST2; however, I am also not pushing my system to reference levels.  Normally I listen to music/movies ~ 8 feet from the speakers with 85 dB average with 95 dB peaks.  So if you wish to go 7 channles for HT I can recommend the 9B as an alternative as well.

Lastly, check the efficiency of your speakers.  The ZU Audio Definition MK3 are rated at 101 dB/w/m and the manufactuer recommends 16-64 watts for concert levels in a large room

http://static.zuaudio.com/docs/Def3-SpecsCW.pdf


Best,

John