Best multi channel amp and processor good for 2 channel listening.

The Bryston Cubed "B3" series is a very fast amp.  Don't get me wrong, It is very high resolution and an excellent performer, but it will sound bright and lean on the bass/midbass if you pair it with a very fast preamp/processor, such as the Anthem.  The Bryston SP3 processor has their fully discrete Class A analog stages and it is very warm and full - I have tested this processor.  It was just too warm/full/slow for my system, but it may work great with the ultra-fast 9B3 amp.  The SP4 processor is just overkill and I don't think you are looking for a 16 channel Dolby Atmos solution.   The new SP4 processor is basically the Storm Audio processor with a "Bryston" faceplate and software.  I don't know if they even have the "Bryston" discrete Class A analog stages developed for this yet.  I think I read that Bryston would upgrade them for free if you bough the processor now.  Timing could be in the next 6 months or so.  Oh, another thing, the new SP4 internal DAC will do everything at 48khz, so the hi-res audio such as 24/96 or 24/192 will automatically be down-converted to 24/48.    This is not a problem with the previous SP3 processor (which is still available as a current product).  The digital architecture between SP3 and SP4 are completely different.

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Other processors that would mate well with the 9B3 amp are Marantz AV8805.  This is a very excellent processor.  It has a very large power supply and it also has a lot of bass/midbass power and slam/excitement.  It is voiced warm, so the high frequencies are slightly rolled off, but it would be an excellent pairing with the 9B3 amp, especially since you are looking for a "warm' type signature.  Another possibility is a McIntosh processor (such as MX122 or MX160).  The SP3 does not have the "rolled off highs" that the Marantz does, but it is a slower responding sound then the Maratnz, so it might still be a good mate with 9B3 amp.  Be aware that the Marantz and/or McIntosh processors will likely also be limited to 48Khz on the internal DAC/DSP, even though you are sending higher sampling rates to the device.

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Just for comparison, the Krell S1000 and S-1500 combination is NOT a warm sounding system.  The Krell devices are very high resolution and fast responding.  They will come across somewhat bright/thin sounding at time, especially since the power supply in their processors are undersized (in my testing and opinion).

Hi auxinput,

WOW, thanks a bunch for all this info., I sure can use it.  

Actually, I heard the Anthem AVM 60 a bit this pass weekend with some B&W’s in a HT setup and found it to be a bit bright. I don’t recall which model since I was not really there for that at the time.  I also heard a McIntosh MC452 since he did not have the 8207 in his showroom.  This amp was paired with Sonus Faber Olympica's which was my second choice for speakers, but left a bit disappointed since I found them to be lifeless, monotone, too laid back with the 452. I still love those Verity’s my God the sound, I have no words.  

On the bright side I have the opportunity to audition the Bryston gear at home which is helpful, but I was informed the 9B3 that will replace the 9bsst2 will not be available till April sometime.  I just added the SP3 to my short list,  I heard the SP3 will still be available along with the SP4.

Auxinput, what do you think about the Arcam AV860? MZK recommended it via this thread but did not find much on it. Does anyone have info. on this processor? 

Thanks again...

@maguiar

All modern B&W speakers are bright (their 10000Hz peaks are well known and documented), so it was the speakers not the processor.

Bryston and Benchmark make excellent 2ch amps, being “fast” has nothing to do with sound quality being bright or warm, they are both neutral (John Atkinson of Stereophile had to call up for help in order to accurately measure the Benchmark, as his test equipment couldn’t keep up).  
  
Still excellent, but cheaper, are the ATI amps utilizing Hypex. ATI is a very well respected American amplifier company, they are not as popular though, but they are so good that other brands actually have ATI design the amps for them, like the Monolith amps (which are excellent for the relatively cheap price) is designed by ATI.

auxinput,

As I mentioned in this thread I am technically chalenged, when you mention fast, will this imply this amp can run quite a bit hot as well? I really would like to stay away from something that would run really hot. Also, what do you mean by 48khz for dac and high resolution at 24/96 etc.?

mzk,

I can audition Marantz and research the Benchmark and Ati.