Power Amp ~ $2k

falconcry72
falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
edited June 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
Well this is purely hypothetical, as I don't have this kind of coin to spend on an amp right now, but I think this is about the range I'll have to be in to outperform the HCA-2200mkii I'm currently using. I'm hoping to save up the money over the next year or so, and I'd like to get the research done ahead of time, so that by the time I have the cash I can jump on a good deal when I see it.:cool:

My only requirements are that it be solid state, high current, and at least a couple hundred watts so it can drive any speaker I end up with down the road. I change out power amps less than any other component, so I'd like something that will play nice with lots of other gear and last a long time.


Here's my shortlist so far, in no particular order:

- Bryston 4BSST

- Belles 350a Reference

- Mark Levinson No. 431 (or other?:confused:)

- Classe CA400, CA 2200 (or other?:confused:)


Thoughts? Comparisons?

Other suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.:smile:
2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
Post edited by falconcry72 on
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited August 2011
    Aragon 8008bb. I own one and it is very very nice. You will have to get a used one though as it hasn't been made for quite a few years. It is easily within your budget though.:smile:

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited August 2011
    BAT VK500SE goes well with the BAT VK3i lol
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    headrott wrote: »
    Aragon 8008bb. I own one and it is very very nice. You will have to get a used one though as it hasn't been made for quite a few years. It is easily within your budget though.:smile:

    Greg

    Thanks for the suggestion; I'll check it out.:smile:

    I had not even considered buying anything new since I've had such good experiences (most of the time:rolleyes:) with getting used gear. At one point my rig cost me less than 20% of the collective MSRP's, and sounded damn good.:biggrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    BAT VK500SE goes well with the BAT VK3i lol

    haha I guess I need to check out BAT. They look pretty sweet!:smile:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    Bryston bryston bryston!
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Bryston bryston bryston!

    Yea, they are my new infatuation.:redface:

    I've read a lot about them, but I hadn't heard anything of theirs until a couple weeks ago at my local dealer. He had a new Bryston 4BSST^2 power amp, a Bryston pre (not sure of the model), and a Bryston BCD-1.

    I listened to that system drive a pair a Polk LsiM-703's that he had just got in as well as some Cantons, Focals, and Monitor Audio Golds and Platinums.

    It was love at first listen.:biggrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Yea, they are my new infatuation.:redface:

    I've read a lot about them, but I hadn't heard anything of theirs until a couple weeks ago at my local dealer. He had a new Bryston 4BSST^2 power amp, a Bryston pre (not sure of the model), and a Bryston BCD-1.

    I listened to that system drive a pair a Polk LsiM-703's that he had just got in as well as some Cantons, Focals, and Monitor Audio Golds and Platinums.

    It was love at first listen.:biggrin:

    Many of the multi-million dollar recording facilities that I've had the privilege of recording at had Bryston amps powering their studio monitors. I've been waiting for a 4B-ST to show up locally for a few years.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Many of the multi-million dollar recording facilities that I've had the privilege of recording at had Bryston amps powering their studio monitors. I've been waiting for a 4B-ST to show up locally for a few years.

    That's cool, man.:smile:

    What do you play/record?

    I used to play more than I do now. Mainly guitar, a little bass, a little drums, etc.

    I just today tried playing my guitar through my Maggies, and it sounded frickin' awesome! Just like a expected it would.:cool:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited August 2011
    Yea, it was pretty fun stuff back in the day.

    I play the drums, a little keyboard, a little guitar & bass myself. I'm as rusty as they come these days!
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited August 2011
    My Cary CAD-200 trounced the Parasound. If you're patient on Audiogon, you can probably get it for around $1500, plenty leftover to get some balanced IC's if you haven't already.

    Check my review and other comments:

    Wes's Cary CAD-200 Review

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2011
    Bryston. Not fond of the Classe rigs I've heard, and good luck if you have an issue with any ML product.

    I'd also suggest checking out Wyred 4 Sound.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited August 2011
    Sunfire 600~2. Kinda hard to find, but a cool-running powerhouse that is worth at least 3 times the price of admission & will drive any speaker on the planet.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited August 2011
    Bryston. I've been rocking them for about 6 years and haven't looked back. You need a laid back pre or speakers, but with that in place, you'll never need another amp.

    As a bonus, if you're someone that flips a lot of gear, they hold their value remarkable well. Used prices on my 4bsst and 9bsst are nearly unchanged since I bought them. Granted, the rise in the Canadian dollar contributed a little, plus inflation, but find another amp you can say that about.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited August 2011
    One should always consider a Pass Labs amp. They can be had in the $2K range if you're looking used. I'd choose them over any mentioned so far....................















    .......................bet you didn't see that coming :biggrin::smile:

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dcmartinpc
    dcmartinpc Posts: 844
    edited August 2011
    Bryston is the only amp on my list if I ever replace my upgraded Parasound HCA-3500! Either a pair of 7B SST2 Monoblocks or 14B SST2. The 4B SST amp is killer too!!!

    And you can't beat their 20 year transferrable warranty!!!!

    Don
    Living Room: Adcom GFP-750 (Upgraded), Squeezebox Touch, Oppo BDP-83, Pioneer DV-79AVi, Parasound HCA-3500 (Upgraded), SDA SRS 2 P/B (Gimpod, Sonicaps, & Mills)

    Theater: Denon 4311ci, Oppo BDP-93, Parasound HCA-2205+HCA-2200II, Polk LSi9, LSiC, LSiFX, LSi7, Custom 18" TC Sounds sub with 2 18" PR, Sharp XV-Z12000, Pioneer Kuro KRP-500M (isf Enabled)

    Bedroom: HK AVR354, Pioneer DV-47a, Parasound HCA-1500a, Polk LSi9
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited August 2011
    The Cary Wes mentions is extremely linear, and the midrange is the most natural I've heard. Vocals are as organic/real as they come--very, very nice amplifier.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    It's good to see so many nods for Bryston. That's the direction I was leaning already, mainly because I think I will continue to use Magnepans for a while, and Magnepan always demos their speakers on Brsyton gear. The transferable 20 year warranty don't hurt neither!:tongue:

    I will check out the other brands mentioned here as well. I should have plenty of time to research, as I've got some medical bills to pay off before I start buying new gear.:smile:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,965
    edited August 2011
    Your going to get recommendations all over the place on such a question. Of your choices, I'd pick the Belles. Power doesn't necessarily equate to sound quality and your missing the boat if you just look at power specs. The Belles is the more musical of the amps you listed imho. In that price range, you have the world as your oyster on the used market, but I suggest at least a tubed pre if your going to do a SS amp.

    Cary, Classe, Bat, McCormick dna 500, all good. I use a Butler hybrid, no tubes to roll, quiet as a mouse, powerfull, and most of all, musical.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2011
    Nobdy likes their baby called ugly.......

    Enjoy your search its fun in itself. I give you dollars to doughnuts whichever you pick will not be your last....as you tip into the four figure pieces there is only one way to travel...you go down to move up.

    RT1
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited August 2011
    If I were going to buy a solid state amp for the long haul, I would buy some version of a Bryston 4B (if recent but used, it would need to be one where the warranty could transfer - I think they've modified their policy in recent years).
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited August 2011
    Big Dawg wrote: »
    If I were going to buy a solid state amp for the long haul, I would buy some version of a Bryston 4B (if recent but used, it would need to be one where the warranty could transfer - I think they've modified their policy in recent years).

    Date code prior to Feb 2006 automatically transfers to whoever owns it for 20 years. After Feb 2006, you need the original bill of sale from an authorized seller, but do NOT have to be the original buyer (just need the receipt).
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2011
    unc2701 wrote: »
    Date code prior to Feb 2006 automatically transfers to whoever owns it for 20 years. After Feb 2006, you need the original bill of sale from an authorized seller, but do NOT have to be the original buyer (just need the receipt).

    Great piece of info. Thanks.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited August 2011
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1319909094&/Sunfire-Signature-600-2-
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2011
    Whatya gonna power with it? An 'important' consideration....that elusive synergy problem. I had a chance to hear a pair of Carver Amazings on Carver mono-blocks recently and when it came to 'orchestral' sound, look out! But on rock and reggae, OK but I've heard better. Sometimes this hobby drives me mad. I've also heard some Cary and some Conrad Johnson, and again, depending on the speakers, etc. in the mix, very good to mediocre--at least to my ears.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited February 2012
    Resurecting this thread I started over the summer. I still haven't found my right power amp, but now I'm looking more in the 1k-1.5k range.

    I ran a Krell KAV-250a briefly to tide me over. I liked it a lot, but it has found a new home, so I need to continue the search.

    Is the Bryston 4B-ST a big step down from the 4B-SST??? They're like a grand cheaper...

    I'm also checking out Classe, Belles, the Krell KSA's, BAT, and Pass Labs.


    Suggestions?
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2012
    Closeout special at $1499 new. I have two (mono mode) and they are rock solid, and fantastic sounding, for the last 3 1/2 years. The only problem is only silver is left. Keep in mind they run at class A before going to class B, so they get hotter than Hades. I had to get my central air fixed for summertime use.

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA840W
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited February 2012
    After reading this thread, I should get my ears on a setup with a Bryston amp. Especially since Bryston is located right across the street from where i work.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited February 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Resurecting this thread I started over the summer. I still haven't found my right power amp, but now I'm looking more in the 1k-1.5k range.

    I ran a Krell KAV-250a briefly to tide me over. I liked it a lot, but it has found a new home, so I need to continue the search.

    Is the Bryston 4B-ST a big step down from the 4B-SST??? They're like a grand cheaper...

    I'm also checking out Classe, Belles, the Krell KSA's, BAT, and Pass Labs.


    Suggestions?

    What was it about the Krell that made you move on? I have heard one of Krell's KSA amps and I wasn't really that impressed. It had a good amount of power and clarity, but it seemed "sterile" to me. Maybe if you throw some tubes at it, it will make a difference. It's kind of buying an expensive amp and moderating it with some tone through another component. Not really worth it (IMO).

    I would look into Pass Labs (which you have listed in your post). Try one of those first.

    Greg
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2012
    All great choices, you couldn't go wrong with any of them. A little inside information...the recording studios at SONY Music also use Bryston amps.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2012
    Have you looked at the Parasound Halo A21.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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