$12,000 Question - Best Monoblocks in this Price Range

Forums

4 replies [Last post]

Submitted By: dadams07

member

Location: Iowa

Joined: Feb 22 2012

Posts:

$12,000 Question - Best Monoblocks in this Price Range

Posted: February 22, 2012 - 8:13pm

Thanks in advance for your reply. I am a long time Bryston lover, but do not want to be short-sighted and eliminate other amps without taking some time get some real feedback. First of all, I am finding it difficult to determine what is actually available in this price range. I currently have the following setup :

Anthem d2v

B& W 803 D

bryston 9BSST

Servo15

Rotel CD Playeri

AudioQuest Cables and Power Cords

I am considering the purchase of a pair of 7BSST2 Monoblocks, BP-26 and MS-2 Powersupply. I recognize that the pre-amp and Powersupply will be an extra $4500, but I am struggling with the amplifier decision living in Iowa and having limited options for auditioning gear. I recently went to a friends house and he had an old pair of McIntosh 60 tube amps and I was amazed by the sound. Many critics say that Bryston is lifeless and very neutral which can be good or bad depending on your preference, but I really want to explore all my options. I know that there have been negative reviews of the 7BSST2's from this website and the 28BSST2's got good marks, but are out of my budget.

In any case, please share your thoughts and let me know my options.

Thanks,

Don

Submitted By: tom collins

member

Location: northern kentucky

Joined: Apr 3 2007

Posts:

simaudio

Posted: February 23, 2012 - 8:39am

i have heard bryston and find it not to my taste for the reason you mention. for me, when the dealer puts in a simaudio product, be it an integrated amp (700i, you really should look into it right at $12K) or separates, it always becomes much more musical for me while still keeping dynamics and detailing, just not quite so much. i find this especially so with revealing speakers such as magico and dynaudio that they also sell.

good luck, let us know how it goes.

tom

Submitted By: dadams07

member

Location: Iowa

Joined: Feb 22 2012

Posts:

Thanks for the feedback Tom.

Posted: February 29, 2012 - 6:27pm

Thanks for the feedback Tom. I will see if I can find a dealer that carries Simaudio in the Chicagoland area.

Don

Submitted By: tom collins

member

Location: northern kentucky

Joined: Apr 3 2007

Posts:

simaudio

Posted: March 1, 2012 - 7:26am

if it is no further to go to dayton, oh, you can look up "hansen audio" and listen there. they are very accomodating.

Submitted By: eattoride

member

Location: Here and there

Joined: Sep 7 2009

Posts:

I auditioned Boulder, Bryston

Posted: March 7, 2012 - 3:55pm

I auditioned Boulder, Bryston and Classe. I eventually settled on Classe CA-M300 monoblocks (about $11,000) and an Ayre preamp. This new gear replaced my Simaudio i7. The sound is breathtaking jawdropping georgeous though my Cremonas. I was fortunate enough to audition the amps through a pair of Cremonas at the dealer. Did I mention the sound is hair raising?