Amp advice for Sound Lab M-2's


Looking for opinions for a amp to use with my Sound Lab M-2 speakers. I am down to considering the Bryston 7b – SST, Parasound JC – 1, and the new Sanders Sound ESL amp. The former owner of the M-2’s used a Pass X-350, but I found that it sounded dry, and very thin. No warmth at all. Lots of older Krells out there, great bottom ends, but again often very cool sounding. I’m not that familiar with the Levinson’s, another option, maybe. The Sound Labs do need a good honest 300 watts > 8 ohms, and 600 watts > 4 ohms. Most amps don’t have the combination of voltage and current ratings to handle the speakers. I am leaning towards the Brystons. Overall they seem to be an amp that is easy to live with, while maybe not the best over all, they do a lot right. Ideas and experiences appreciated. By the way, the listening room is 23x21, with a ceiling that is 9 feet on one long wall, and slopes up to 16 feet on the other long wall. 15 feet of the highest long wall is open right in the middle of the wall. So the room can really suck up speaker output. Thanks.
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Showing 1 response by rgd

If considering used Bryston amps make sure they are the latest production incorporating the "swedish choke" mod which has become current production specs. Get the serial numbers and email Bryston to ensure you are getting the latest version. I had my 14B-SST upgraded and it tamed the top end a bit (at least to my ears) and made it a better amp over-all. You can have the amps upgraded I believe at a cost of $250 each but it will entail freight both ways, wait times, etc.