Parasound v. Emotiva v. Bryston

[BossCo75]

I'm looking to buy new amplification to power my Thiel CS3.6 speakers in my stereo audio listening room. My expectation is to get the best possible upgrade to the existing B&K EX4420 at <$2500. With this in mind, I've narrowed the candidates down to:
Parasound HALO A21
Bryston 7B-ST
Emotiva XPR-1
Bel Canto REF500M

Any and all thoughts from those with personal experience with these components will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cogito]

I'm looking to buy new amplification to power my Thiel CS3.6 speakers in my stereo audio listening room. My expectation is to get the best possible upgrade to the existing B&K EX4420 at <$2500. With this in mind, I've narrowed the candidates down to:
Parasound HALO A21
Bryston 7B-ST
Emotiva XPR-1
Bel Canto REF500M

Any and all thoughts from those with personal experience with these components will be greatly appreciated.

Rumor is, Emotiva is discontinuing the XPR line of components (Replacing with a new USA made premium line). If you are patient, you'll probably be able to take advantage of some closeout sales in the near future. Not only will you get a pair of extremely well built amps with incredible performance, you'll get to buy them at a MUCH lower price than the other monoblocks you listed. Yes, I'm a fanboi...

 

[edwyun]

Bryston

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Bryston of the three is the ultimate. ParaSound in the middle, Emotiva on the bottom. All 3 can and have been good. Buy Bryston once, never worry about amplifiers again for many years of use. Only McIntosh and older Crown is anywhere near as well supported when it gets old.

 

[Nikko75]

They say in ABX test you will find they are sonically indistinguishable, once each amp is level matched. Each one has distortion below the audible threshold and a frequency response flat from 20-20kHz.

 

[mfm22]

i'm in a similar situation speakers with 86db & 4 ohm .7 mag's

I was down to Parsound A21 & Bryston 4B ST [used or more $ SST ]

Owning a parsound a23 I can say - quality sound & build ...I may need more power of the 21 . Heard the .7 mag's at demo with the 21 & it was smooth

The Bryston is going to be way too much new , used is still $$

Not sure if I would hear enough of a difference to warrant the extra $$

Probably going Parasound .. there are a couple of "B' stock dealers that offer
about a 20% discount

 

[for_p1]

In your price range I would get Bryston 4B SST - depending on age should be between $1500 and $2000. ST series is too old and likely out of warranty now.
For Thiel 3.6 monoblocks would be overkill, and 300w/side is enough. If you decide to upgrade to 3.7 - then pair of 7BSST will be what you need.

 

[stonedeaf]

Bryston

Have only owned older Bryston - their support for even old and out of warranty stuff they've made is outstanding and so is the sound! Not a knock on Parasound or Emotiva -but Bryston is in IMHO a solid step above them.

 

[RichPA]

If I had that choice of amps, I'd go with the Bel Canto. The Bryston ST series are solid amps, but the SST and SST2 series were big improvements, and I found the Bel Canto amps to be better than the Bryston SST. Haven't heard the others.

 

[saea501]

I own 2 Bryston 3BSSTs, a 2BSST and a 2BLP. I've been a fan of the dual mono designs since the SAE power amps.

The Brystons sound fantastic and have balls o plenty when it comes to driving inefficient speakers. So, obviously, I'd recommend the Brystons.

 

[BossCo75]

I sincerely thank you all for your input. I have purchased a pair of Bryston 7B-ST amps. Hope to receive them in time to be installed this weekend. Woohoooo!!

 

[CohibaJoe]

Bryston of the three is the ultimate. ParaSound in the middle, Emotiva on the bottom. All 3 can and have been good. Buy Bryston once, never worry about amplifiers again for many years of use. Only McIntosh and older Crown is anywhere near as well supported when it gets old.

Bryston of the 3.

Emotiva....Not the China 1's :thumbsdn:....Let's see what the USA made sounds like.