Bryston Cubed Amps in Bridge Mode

[JFRMusic]

Does anyone have experience running the Bryston 3B3 or 4B3 in bridged pairs?

Advantages or disadvantages over Stereo mode?
Did the 3B3 in bridge mode equal or surpass the 4B3 in Stereo mode?

Thanks

 

[NekoAudio]

The load factor is doubled when running amp in bridged mode. Meaning the speakers need to be easier to drive.

Generally speaking, if you can get an amp that will run in "normal" mode at the power output you want, it's better to do that than to get two lower power amps and run them in bridged mode.

 

[JFRMusic]

Nekoaudio

Yes I agree I like the 4B3 but not the weight. I can handle two 3B3 amps as they are each almost half the weight of the 4B3. My Speakers are 6 ohm Harbeths and relatively easy to drive.

 

[audiobomber]

Nekoaudio

Yes I agree I like the 4B3 but not the weight. I can handle two 3B3 amps as they are each almost half the weight of the 4B3. My Speakers are 6 ohm Harbeths and relatively easy to drive.

They become 3-ohm Harbeths to a bridged amp, and even lower at some frequencies, and an extreme current demand. Also distortion increases when bridged.

If you prefer to use two smaller amps, I suggest vertical biamping instead of bridging. It will sound significantly better.

 

[NekoAudio]

Yes I agree I like the 4B3 but not the weight. I can handle two 3B3 amps as they are each almost half the weight of the 4B3. My Speakers are 6 ohm Harbeths and relatively easy to drive.

The 4B3 box I just received has a ship weight on it of 55 pounds. I don't think the 3B3 is ~25 pounds.

The 3B3 bridged could be fine with the Harbeths. Stereophile measurements of Harbeth speakers tend to show 6 ohms is the minimum and they're relatively easy loads like you say.