Stereo amplifier for a pair of passive subwoofers.

I use to use a Bryston 4b with a PAradigm X-30 for my NHT SW3P and found it to be superior to the companion NHT SA-3 amp. I didn't think either crossover was that good, but the Bryston as a sub amp exhibited great control and depth while helping the SW3P produce good tone.

Both Bryston and Parasound have been well know to do well in the bass department. You'll not go wrong with either. It's all a matter of finding the good deal for you probabaly.

Especially if you're buying used, remember, Brystons come new with a 20 year TRANSFERRABLE warranty! A big plus for used buyers; and they are extremely acommodating about service/upgrades with no charge for under-warranty products.

the bryston would go to the top of the list based on the warranty; agree

Well, everyone agreed on the Bryston units and I know these are tremendous amplifiers. Their 20 years warranty is incredible, although they last longer than that !!! The problem is, every unit ( except from EBay) seems to be around $700 or more. In which case, I would buy a SVS or Hsu subwoofer to pair my existing speakers ( Madisound Geminies- Dynaudio clones).

My mistake was not to mention my initial thinking. My stereo speakers consist of a pair enclosures where the highs/mids are on the top box and the bass driver is in the lower box. Since I could use them as passive woofers, I thought I could buy an under $400 amplifier and use it as a sub-amplifier. This way I could use my top boxes ( which extend to around 50Hz) as small and use the bass boxes to reproduce the lower frequencies.

My room has around 5,500sqf and a single subwoofer seems to be short for the space. With the towers using both drivers, I could fill the room better. An used amplifier looks like my economic alternative or buying a big sub from SVS, Hsu or Velodyne...which cost way more and shipping will set me another $150+ for one and double for two ( the avarage cost of a used amplifier).

I still love the idea of a Bryston but, unless I find one good deal, is out of my range...$$$

Gracias all :)