So, yet another day and yet another idea how to power my theater... Isn't it great to have choices?

I spent a bit of time evaluating the Bryston amps today at my dealer.

There was a beefy 14B SST2 and a 7B powering the Sonus Faber Elipsa and Cremona M center in his theater with another 14B I believe powering the Auditor Elipsa surrounds.

As I sat there and listened, I came to the realization that I will be perfectly happy with that combination. I really liked what I heard, very good synergy between the warmish SF Elipsa and the Bryston brutes driving them. Gone was the sterility, leanness and grainish voicing of the older Bryston amps, replaced by very tightly focused, dynamic sound that was neither sterile nor cold but just right in terms of tonal balance, plenty of dynamic slam and excitement without grain or harshness. The Bryston amps had all the grip on the Elipsa speakers they would need, they ran barely warm to the touch and both vocals and instruments sounded just about perfect for my taste.

Considering the other options I had in mind, there was some concerns with the amount of heat Krell amps put out, the sweeter but slightly lacking in power Ayre MX-Rs, less bottom end grip and slam from 501s and I wasn't really going to use Lamm in my theater. That's not to mention the reasonable pricing of Bryston products. For about the price of a pair of MX-Rs, I was able to outfit the 6 of the channels of my theater with very impressive power.

As my eyes kept looking down at the 14B and 7B sitting on floor, their elegant design really started to appeal to me, from their silver faceplates with beefy handles to the black chassis flanked by heatsinks. They just looked "right" for the job.

Thinking about the 20 year warranty and their bulletproof appearance and reputation of being reliable and robust, it didn't take me long to realize this is a very sweet setup. I also thought about the Elipsa and matching Elipsa surrounds as well as the matching center and thought to my self, what more can you ask for and why should I spend more for a theater? I've always liked the Elipsa, their elegant appearance and very musical and forgiving nature and the Bryston amps compliment them in a big way. So be it!

Having thought over the arsenal of amps, I went with the 600w 14B, 600w 7B and 300w 4B x2. I think it will be perfect.




MX-Rs

Congrats Serge!!!

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PMC EB1i(2), OB1i(2), CB6i JL Audio F113. McIntosh MDA1000, MC501(2), MS750, MX150, MVP881BR, MC207.
PS Audio PPP(2). Wireworld Cables and Interconnects. Symposium Acoustics Rollerblock jr, Svette+ shelves.

Very nice combo indeed! congratz and welcome as a new Bryston owner

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Michael

Main System:Mcintosh MC601's Amplifer,Mcintosh C50 Preamp,KEF Reference 207/2's Speakers,Music Hall MMF 9.1 TT ,Grant Fidelity Reference Tube CD-1000 Player Impression II,Acoustic Zen Absolute Shotgun Cables,Krell K.I.D Dock,Jungson MRCA-1 Gold Coated Copper Reference Interconnects (Golden Dragon),Torus CS15 Power Conditioners/Surge Protector.SolidTech "Rack of Silence"Reference 4 Audio Stand.


Bedroom System:Shuguang I-25 integrated tube amp,Kef IQ 10`s,Sony CDP 225.

Congratulations! One more step closer to completion!

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Kevin

Serge...congrats. But I am confused :confused-28:. Are you saying you are going to pair up the new Bryston gear with Sonus Faber Elipsas and surrounds? I am confused because I thought you said you ordered Wilson Sophia 3s for the HT. Anyway, I am sure I misunderstood something but congrats on the Bryston gear.

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Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

I can see how it can get confusing. I am confused myself....

Actually, the SF/Bryston will be the theater setup and Wilson Sophia 3 for 2 channel room with yet to be determined supporting gear.

Yes, it's all finally starting to fall into place.

David is going to be ecstatic...

Graphite or Maple?

Congrats Serge, your restraint here will leave you more room to do what you want in the 2 Channel room!

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Shindo/DeVore Super 8's

One good thing about music: When it hits you, you feel no pain.

Bob Marley

Got it . Congrats Serge

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Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

Maple. It will look better in my mostly brown color theater.