As those who have read my comments know, I'm a big fan of Bryston equipment -- very high value gear. In my HT system, I am currently using a Bryston 4B-ST for the main front speakers (Vandersteen 3A Signatures), and a Bryston 5B-ST for the center speaker and rear surrounds. The 5B-ST is essentially a 3-channel version of the 3B-ST amp, offering 3x120 wpc (though rated at 120 wpc, the actual output is about 150 wpc -- Bryston rates their amps very conservatively). I chose the 5B-ST even though it provides about half the power of the 4B-ST, because my rear surround speakers have an efficiency of 91-92 db, and 150 wpc is plenty for them. If you think you need the same amount of power for the center and rears as the front speakers, then you can get Bryston's new 6B-ST, which is a 3-channel version of the 4B-ST (rated at 250 wpc, but actually provides 290-300 wpc). I think the real issue is how much 2-channel audio listening you will do with your system. I enjoy HT, but about 90% of the time I listen to music, and thus my emphasis is on a high quality audio system first.
Upgrade advise: ATI, Bryston, Aragon,
I have a home theater with a Denon AVR3300, NHT 2.5i, NHT 1.5i, and NHT SW3P. I am going to slowly upgrade. First, I want a new amplifier. I have on order a ATI 1506, which is 150x6, and bridgeable to 450x3. My objective is flexibility and, obviously, quality. I have just learned it will take a awhlie before ATI makes any more 1506's. This has caused me to rethink my purchase. Should I get a 2 channel, such as a Bryston 4B-ST, or Aragon 8008BB, to allow flexibilty in the future, perhaps use in a music only system later? Thoughts?