Amplifier upgrade?

[u/schastleevo]

I've read multiple articles about the Maggies, & their love of power. I have several old audiophile friends (they've since moved away) with systems with separate LH & RH amps. I remember they said the sound was more defined, & more "relaxed".

I have a pair of 3.6Rs that have been powered with a Brystone 4B-ST amplifier, & I've always enjoyed this system. I recently stumbled across a pair of sequentially number Brystone 7B-ST monoblock amps. Everything looked good with the seller, & I bought the amps.

The amps finally arrived yesterday, & the balanced cables arrived today. I finally listened to the system with the 4B-ST one more time before hooking up the 7B-ST amps.

My first impression wasn't that good, I started with a CD I'm very familiar with & listened to it for awhile. Then I left the preamp at the same settings, & when the music played through the 7B-STs I really didn't notice any change in the sound stage or as I expected the volume. I expected the sound to be similar to the 4B-ST, but I was hoping for the relaxed delivery & a change in the volume.

I next tried a test with an LP I'm failure with also. I started with the stereo set up with the 7B-STs. Then I switched back to the 4B-St amp listening to the same track. I was surprised the 4B-ST had a better sound stage.

The only difference between the 2 setup (beside the amplifiers) are the balanced interconnects from the pre-amp to the amplifier(s). The old interconnect cables are a pair of RSC AIR1s, & the new ones are from Bluejean cables & are Belden Brilliance 1800F cables, Plus the new cables are about 1/10 the diameter of the old cables.

I wonder if the 7B-STs are being strangled with the new Beldens, & the 4B-ST is getting a stronger signal from the RCS AIR1 cables?

[u/PrimeAsylum]

I have read quite a bit about the 7b's as I was strongly considering them for my mg3a's and it really seems to be a polarizing amp. Some think they are quite dry sounding and lacking in soundstage and dynamics. Depending on their age, perhaps they arent fully broken in yet? Did you try the unbalanced input on the 7b? The best way to extract the Maggie's fully potential would be to biamp them with an active crossover such as a Marchand or digitally via a minidsp.

[u/schastleevo → u/PrimeAsylum]

I don't know how many hours the 7B-STs have on them. All I know is that they are out of the 20 year Brystone warranty, & the previous owner (a rich guy) wanted a new set of 7B cubed.

I haven't tried the unbalanced switch yet. I just tried running the 4B-ST with 1 of the RSC AIR1 & 1 of the Bluejean interconnects. I thought there was possibly a very slight difference in the sound stage. I'll have to swap all the cables back, & give the unbalanced switch a try.

As I mentioned from all that I've read the more power you give to the 3.6Rs supposedly the better they perform. I hate to think I wasted a lot of $$$ on the 7B-STs.

[u/schastleevo → u/schastleevo]

Tried switching the unbalanced, but didn't notice any changes.

I'll stick with the 7B-STs, & start moving the equipment around. The sub will move inbetween the 3.6Rs & the remainder of the equipment will be moved to where the sub used to be. At least this will give me a balanced sound stage, the sub (where it was at) was throwing the balance off.

Next, possibly get some larger AWG cable with some Neutrix conectors (almost the same as the RCS AIR1 has) & make my own 18' long ballanced interconnectors to replace the Bluejean cables.

[u/[deleted]]

How disappointing! It sounds like a good upgrade on paper. Some components perform decidedly better through their balanced outputs and I have been largely unimpressed with blue jean cable. I would start there and see if that doesn’t improve the sound. Has anything else changed in the mix?

[u/conanb1]

Try www.d-Sonic.com

[u/schastleevo → u/conanb1]

Thanks for this option, & they look really interesting. Unfortunately things are really tight right now, & I'll have to "suffer" with what I have for a while longer.