2.5 SST2 c series or 3B SST C series

[Forte 4A]

Next month I'll be looking for a new 2 stereo amp for my 5 yr old Aerial 6's. So the 2.5B and the 3B are on my list. Is there much of a difference between these 2 amps as the power ratings are fairly similar. Currently I'm running a pair of modified Threshold T-50s for the Aerials.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by Forte 4A

Next month I'll be looking for a new 2 stereo amp for my 5 yr old Aerial 6's. So the 2.5B and the 3B are on my list. Is there much of a difference between these 2 amps as the power ratings are fairly similar. Currently I'm running a pair of modified Threshold T-50s for the Aerials.

HI

The 2.5B has 2 output devices per channel whereas the 3B has 4 output devices per channel.

The more difficult the speaker load the more the 3B will be better.

james

[Grit]

I'm a fan of Aerial Acoustics. I've had 7b's and currently have 7t's.

The B line of aerials was pretty difficult to drive. I ran my 7b's for a long time with a Rotel amplifier. My opinion (and that's ALL this is worth) was that the Aerial's always felt like I was trying to force or push the music out. That problem/conception went away when I got a more capable amplifier (not more watts per channel).

So, this is a bit of a slippery slope. I'd really aim for the 3B in this case. The price of the 3B though isn't too far off the price of a 4B, so (if budget allows), I'd probably just target the 4b and figure it'll still be excellent even if you upgrade your Aerial's down the road one day.

Regardless though, I'm confident you'll be very pleased with the results.

[Grit]

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

HI

The 2.5B has 2 output devices per channel whereas the 3B has 4 output devices per channel.

The more difficult the speaker load the more the 3B will be better.

james

James,

That got me to thinking and researching. How many output devices per channel are in the 4B-SST2, 6B-SST2, and 9B-SST2? I looked but couldn't find the info anywhere.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by Grit

James,

That got me to thinking and researching. How many output devices per channel are in the 4B-SST2, 6B-SST2, and 9B-SST2? I looked but couldn't find the info anywhere.

4B and 6B have 8 per channel - the 9B 4 per channel.

james

[Grit]

Thanks James!

[Forte 4A]

Originally Posted by Grit

I'm a fan of Aerial Acoustics. I've had 7b's and currently have 7t's.

The B line of aerials was pretty difficult to drive. I ran my 7b's for a long time with a Rotel amplifier. My opinion (and that's ALL this is worth) was that the Aerial's always felt like I was trying to force or push the music out. That problem/conception went away when I got a more capable amplifier (not more watts per channel).

So, this is a bit of a slippery slope. I'd really aim for the 3B in this case. The price of the 3B though isn't too far off the price of a 4B, so (if budget allows), I'd probably just target the 4b and figure it'll still be excellent even if you upgrade your Aerial's down the road one day.

Regardless though, I'm confident you'll be very pleased with the results.

Of all the older Aerials the 6 is really the easiest to run. My room is not that big so power wise the 3B should be a good fit. I would love a 4B but that is a budget buster for me.

[Grit]

Yes they are, and really nice too. Yeah, if the 4B is a budget-buster, stick with the 3B. Sonically, they should all sound nearly the same. If you don't need the power, you won't be missing anything.

[Forte 4A]

After doing a hone demo for five days and looking at my budget I went w/the 2.5 SST2 C series amp. I matches extremely well w/my Audio Research SP-16 and my Aerial 6B's. What I loved was the clarity and improved detail of the top end. My Linn sounds like I did a major upgrade on my TT. John at Audio Video Therapy called in the order today and he said it should take 3-4 weeks to make it across the border. Now the tough part the wait. Any serious break in time for these amps??

[gbaby]

Originally Posted by Forte 4A

After doing a hone demo for five days and looking at my budget I went w/the 2.5 SST2 C series amp. I matches extremely well w/my Audio Research SP-16 and my Aerial 6B's. What I loved was the clarity and improved detail of the top end. My Linn sounds like I did a major upgrade on my TT. John at Audio Video Therapy called in the order today and he said it should take 3-4 weeks to make it across the border. Now the tough part the wait. Any serious break in time for these amps??

I, too, am thinking about buying the 2.5. Please report an honest assessment of its sonic quality when you have a chance to evaluate it.