It seems I am not able to post thread on Audiogon. This one, being recent, I too have been looking for a power amplifier and was thinking of a Byrston, SST 4B, or a Classe CA 201, or never model. I am not going to the details of my system, but I shall point out, my main stereo is quite old now.
I do like some of the SACD multi-channel; however, I totally disagree with the idea, with audio, placing speakers behind the listener. No live music has players behind the audience. Now is not the best stereo, when the sound does not seem to be coming from the two front speakers? Then why would anyone need a centre channel, same with the LFE, if you have good bass, you do not need a bass channel.
My main speakers will remain flat, down to 25HZ, and that is good enough for me.
The 5.1/7,1 is a format for Video, not audio. What should be found on a multi-channel would be surround speaker for a depth enhancing ambient effect, useful in large rooms. I have all I need for stereo, the mid-range and high frequency uses tubes, the bass uses SS mono built, not mono selected amplifiers.
I am considering using Apogee Duette speakers, or Infinity Renascence 80, with I have now on my HT, while that Apogee may sound better, I uses two channels on an old Reference B&K 7500 and worry about losing it as front speakers, while the surround sound will be lighter, less full and ambient, the Ren. 80 could be used with a single stereo amplifier that doubles; or puts out 400 watts into four ohms. I think the Bryston is great for the money, same with many Classe and I used all balanced XLR components, including my SACD player, which has form digital to differential balanced outputs. The B&K< a great amplifier, does not have a balanced topology.
