I've had my Bryston 7B ST THX amps since March 1997. Great performers for the price.

So far, I haven't upgraded, as I felt it would cost just too much $$$ for the performance benefit.

But as discussed in another thread, there's a summer Enterprise special.
Theatermax - Craig Shumer's, one of if not the best Theta dealer (volumewise and taking care of his customers) has advertised at Audiogon Enterprises at half price, while they last. My understanding is that Theta wants to sell even more of the Enterprise monoblocks, and they felt that offering this special this summer would get the amps in the hands of some of us here at AVS on the web, that we'd luv them, and that we'd review them here like we do everything else. Makes sense.
Problem is this special ain't gonna last forever - could be over shortly.

My system is what I call "multi-channel balanced" - equal amps, electronics, cables, etc in each vector. Speakers on a circle at 2,4,8 and 10 o'clock. Michael Green Pressure Zone Controllers adjustable re absorption and reflection to control, not overly dampen the sound. The way I subjectively like my system is same amp in each vector.

Say I bought the Enterprises or a comparable monoblock, five of them, at retail less a reasonable discount. Heck, thats 25 grand less a reasonable discount.
Even if I managed to get 20-25% off, thats like 18 to 20 grand, less say 6 to 7 grand from sale of my Brystons. 10 grand new money at least. Too much for me right now.

But with the half off special, I think I can swing it.

I've heard the Enterprises a few times, always sounded very nice. But I've never demod them in my system. Objectively, I would think they would be much better than the Brystons (which are darn good) in my system. I've always been impressed by show systems with the Dreadnaught 1 and 2 and the top line Citadel. As the Enterprise falls in between the Dreadnaught and Citadel having features from both, it should be a top flight performer especially given this summer special.

I'm interested in what Theta amp owners, Dreadnaught 1 and 2, Enterprise, and Citadel have to say about how they like their amps, as I will consider this as part of my evaluation process.

I just hope that if I decide to get them, that their still available at half price.
Not that they're not worth full price. But that ain't in my budget, with one kid in College, one kid about to go to College, and my wife's multiplicity in pets.

Thanks. :)

Yea, your problems all stem from the multiplicity of your wife's pets. Why don't you tell all here that wonderful story about your wife's err kitty kat, your err favorite pet? :)

BTw. Your system sounds fine the way it is. You have absolutely no need to improve it. NONE!

You need to replace that god awful Dwin. For half the money you would spend on new amps you could have a world class rojector to match your world class sound. I am not kidding kiddies. SB's existing sound is second to none. No HT I have heard is even close. His wife is right up there too. Very nice.

BTw. Your system sounds fine the way it is. You have absolutely no need to improve it. NONE!

You need to replace that god awful Dwin. For half the money you would spend on new amps you could have a world class rojector to match your world class sound. I am not kidding kiddies. SB'sexisting sound is second to none. No HT I have heard is even close. His wife is right up there too. Very nice.

There goes Mark again. He was over a few years ago after CES.

My HT sounded even better with a few tweaks here and there, before I upgraded to the Aerial 9s from the 10Ts. Notwithstanding how much you luv my audio,
with this Enterprise deal that's where I'm considering spending my $$$.

There goes Mark again. He was over a few years ago after CES.

My HT sounded even better with a few tweaks here and there, before I upgraded to the Aerial 9s from the 10Ts. Notwithstanding how much you luv my audio,
with this Enterprise deal that's where I'm considering spending my $$$.

Bag the Dwin Steve, it Sux!!!:)

Hi Steve,

I've been looking at that special as well. I own the DN1 configured as 3X200 4X100. I'm running B&W's for the fronts and Triads for rears. Processor is a CB3 w/extreme's +six shooter. I love the amp sounds great and has lots of power to run my stuff. I've owned the DN 1 for several years and have wanted to jump up to the Mono's for sometime. I too am looking to hear from other owners that currently or have some experience with the Enterpise. One of the main features of the DN1 that I love is the ablility to switch off power to the rears if your just listening to 2 channel which I do as I've intergraded my TT into my HT. Works for me anyway.

Bag the Dwin Steve, it Sux!!!:)
Well Steve, I might as well pile on with the rest of your buddies :D. I know you don't want to hear this and we are screwing up your holiday but what the hell :D . Get rid of the Dwin. The rest of your system really outperforms it by a HUGE margin. I have no experience with the Entorprises but I think those Brystons are great. How about a used G90? What's Art doing with his?

Well Steve, I might as well pile on with the rest of your buddies :D. I know you don't want to hear this and we are screwing up your holiday but what the hell :D . Get rid of the Dwin. The rest of your system really outperforms it by a HUGE margin. I have no experience with the Entorprises but I think those Brystons are great. How about a used G90? What's Art doing with his?

You guys make me laugh. My Dwin has a better picture than the JVC D-ILA that both you and Mark Burnstein have.

Please lets get back on topic - Theta amps. Thanks.

Hi Steve,

I've been looking at that special as well. I own the DN1 configured as 3X200 4X100. I'm running B&W's for the fronts and Triads for rears. Processor is a CB3 w/extreme's +six shooter. I love the amp sounds great and has lots of power to run my stuff. I've owned the DN 1 for several years and have wanted to jump up to the Mono's for sometime. I too am looking to hear from other owners that currently or have some experience with the Enterpise. One of the main features of the DN1 that I love is the ablility to switch off power to the rears if your just listening to 2 channel which I do as I've intergraded my TT into my HT. Works for me anyway.

Sorry - DN1???? Abbreviation for which company???

Theta Dreadnaught 1

Theta Dreadnaught 1

I guess abbreviating a great name like the Dreadnaught just doesn't work for me. HA!

Audioholics gave a multi-channel Thiel (speaker) Theta (CB2, Compli, David2, five Enterprise amps) best of show for CES 2004.

http://www.audioholics.com/news/trade-show-coverage/2004-consumer-electronics-show-ces/best-of-show-multi-channel-performance

OK. I get it. You watch in your Ht with your eyes closed. Until MP fixes that relic, you might as well anyway. Happy 4th, my friend. You're the best.

No, I think he should upgrade. I think there are some nice Bose systems on sale at Wal-Mart.



Oooh. Probably shouldn't have said that! :-)

OK. I get it. You watch in your Ht with your eyes closed. Until MP fixes that relic, you might as well anyway. Happy 4th, my friend. You're the best.

Yea, my favorite movie is "Legally Blind" - oh, did I mean "Legally Blond" - oh, did I mean "Legally Not Making Enough $$ to Buy a Decent 9" CRT projector"?


Folks, please, back to the Theta amps subject. Thanks.

More seriously, how do you folks think the Theta Enterprise amps will sound in comparison to my trusty 'ol Bryston 7b-ST THX amps????? Tryin' to decide if the upgrade is worthwhile for me.

Well, I audition Enterprise in my system for three weeks. To my ears it did not sound powefull enough in bass. Also bass was not as tight or defined as on my ARC HD220 amp.
My system is: Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, ARC HD220, ARC REF3, ARC REF CD7 and Esoteric X-01 D2(currently on try). So, my experience is limited to 2ch stereo...
Your Bryston 7s are excellent amps in bass department so, think twice about Enterprise. For example Bryston 14B-SST sounded much more powerfull in bass then Enterprise.
Also, highs sounded little bit tillted up in comparison with both ARC HD220 and Bryston 14B-SST, while midrange was nice and with good voices articulation. Instrument body(violin for example) did not have the body as on either ARC or Bryston amp.
I even did not wanted to put it in my second system since I did not like it too much overall...

BUT, I heard that new Citadel 1.5 is much, much better amp(although at bigger price) .
Best advice try to audition Enterprise in your system, even stereo pair could show you what they are capable for. Since you are using active subs with your Aerial Model 9's maybe there won't be that bass power isssue that I heard in my system...

You guys make me laugh. My Dwin has a better picture than the JVC D-ILA that both you and Mark Burnstein have.

Please lets get back on topic - Theta amps. Thanks.

can't get back on track Steve, the Dwin must go! HaHaHah:):)_-) Get a G90 then or buy my NEC XG135!!!

Steve,

Go for the Citadels with the 1.5 upgrade. The Enterprise is good. But I believe you expect greatness. So you should go with Citadels. Especially if your dealer "takes care of their repeat customers". Remember RS-232 is an option. And can be black or silver. Retail on the Enterprise is 1/2 of the Citadel.

Actually I would recommend your dealer lets you demo a pair of Citadel 1.5s and a pair of Enterprise amps. But I guarantee you will pick the Citadels.

You'll have the extra cash by not having to replace your projector. I have a manufacturer rep that once supported DWIN; mention that he never thought he'd see anything match it's performance until he saw a properly calibrated JVC RS-1. He no longer reps video products and I trust his input. He's never led me down the wrong path.

Best of luck and let us know what you pick.

can't get back on track Steve, the Dwin must go! HaHaHah:):)_-) Get a G90 then or buy my NEC XG135!!!
Hey I'm certainly no videophile but I would chose the JVC RS1 over the Dwin inspite of my complaints about the oversaturation on the JVC . When you get yours up in a few weeks let me know what you think. I tried to send Steve some pics to give him the hint ;) but they did not come out correctly. Have to read the owner's manual of my new digital camera and figure out how to take low light photos. Steve luvs that Dwin but it is the weak link in his set-up. I have never heard the Enterprises. He likes the picture on his Sony SXRD television, same one I have, and the RS1 beats that. I have a lot of experience with the Bryston 7BST as I have had them in my home. Another friend has them as well.Those amps are still competitive with anything in the 10K price range. The Enterprises may be an upgrade but I'd be shocked if it's very much and it may not be at all. I would go with a big wide 2:35 aspect acoustically transparent screen and a new projector if it were my money. L&M Custom Hiome Electronics in Tempe,has a demo Screen Research for sale ;).

The projector ain't the issue of this thread.

And even a properly calibrated RS1 has the colors off. After living with a color filtered CRT, I can't go back to the wrong colors. SORRY. And I betch that Mark Haflich will agree on this one, that the RS1 just ain't got the right color. TOO BAD! Yea, I like my SXRD down our basement - but it ain't in the class of my color filtered CRT, especially once Gannon recalibrated it a year ago.

Yea, I'd luv to have the Citadel 1.5s. But I can work the bucks for the Enterprises - not for the Citadels the numbers don't add up unless my kids decide not to go to college and work instead.

The projector ain't the issue of this thread.

And even a properly calibrated RS1 has the colors off. After living with a color filtered CRT, I can't go back to the wrong colors. SORRY. And I betch that Mark Haflich will agree on this one, that the RS1 just ain't got the right color. TOO BAD! Yea, I like my SXRD down our basement - but it ain't in the class of my color filtered CRT, especially once Gannon recalibrated it a year ago.

Yea, I'd luv to have the Citadel 1.5s. But I can work the bucks for the Enterprises - not for the Citadels the numbers don't add up unless my kids decide not to go to college and work instead.
Then no College for the kids, work instead selling used Dwin!!! Get citadels and JVC!!

The projector ain't the issue of this thread.

And even a properly calibrated RS1 has the colors off. After living with a color filtered CRT, I can't go back to the wrong colors. SORRY. And I betch that Mark Haflich will agree on this one, that the RS1 just ain't got the right color. TOO BAD! Yea, I like my SXRD down our basement - but it ain't in the class of my color filtered CRT, especially once Gannon recalibrated it a year ago.


That's what the Lumagen Radiance XD is for. To modify the color to make it as close to perfect as possible plus other added features that go along with a video processor. Problem solved.

sign me up when it is out of beta!!

sign me up when it is out of beta!!

Everything is pretty much beta... it's VERY RARE to have a finished product with zero bugs. So why not enjoy something now, knowing its going to get better unlike the Sony SXRD issues. The only difference is- a company is being honest upfront vs. fixing it later like all the Blu-ray and HD DVD players.

true, but I have to get the RS-1 ceiling mounted and the panamorph lens/sled mounted first! A couple of months in the hands of RS- 1 owners would give my installer and me the advantage of user experience of that combo!

I'm setting up that exact solution now. Using the Panamorph UH380 lens, M380 transport, and the P380-2 mounting plate to the JVC-RS1 ceiling mounted with Cheif hardware - 95" or 7.5' tall ceiling. Throws and distances look good. You can't go wrong with the solution now - make sure you have easy access to the RS-232 port on the Lumagen for firmware updates. Some suggest leaving a cable attached for the time being. You could be enjoying everything now.

Back on track to Steve's question. Steve if I remember correctly you are listening to both music and movies correct? Steve you are fast approaching the area where upgrades will cost $$$$$ to see good improvement. I'm concerned you might be making more of a lateral move than a jump up. If music is on your mind you could enter the world of dCS. They don't look as pretty as the Theta products but that would be a definate step up aka the dCS Scarlatti. I don't know a reseller for dCS but I've heard it's a phenominal piece of equipment.

With only one exception, I agree with the above post by KRESO. Had a pair of these amps a few years ago,and was totally unimpressed. They look cool, but that is about it . I had owned for a few years the DREADNAUGHT (THETA AMP), and while I didn't have it in the dedicated music room system (two channel only), always liked it. THE ENTERPRISE has a very lean, cool presentation, with weak bass, and some what dry, sterile highs.

CHEERS, TC

Well, I audition Enterprise in my system for three weeks. To my ears it did not sound powefull enough in bass. Also bass was not as tight or defined as on my ARC HD220 amp.
My system is: Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, ARC HD220, ARC REF3, ARC REF CD7 and Esoteric X-01 D2(currently on try). So, my experience is limited to 2ch stereo...
Your Bryston 7s are excellent amps in bass department so, think twice about Enterprise. For example Bryston 14B-SST sounded much more powerfull in bass then Enterprise.
Also, highs sounded little bit tillted up in comparison with both ARC HD220 and Bryston 14B-SST, while midrange was nice and with good voices articulation. Instrument body(violin for example) did not have the body as on either ARC or Bryston amp.
I even did not wanted to put it in my second system since I did not like it too much overall...

BUT, I heard that new Citadel 1.5 is much, much better amp(although at bigger price) .
Best advice try to audition Enterprise in your system, even stereo pair could show you what they are capable for. Since you are using active subs with your Aerial Model 9's maybe there won't be that bass power isssue that I heard in my system...

Many factors can account for what you're reporting.

I have found that using Symposium Rollerblocks under my amps gives a signficant sonic improvement, including getting bass and treble just right.

That's what the Lumagen Radiance XD is for. To modify the color to make it as close to perfect as possible plus other added features that go along with a video processor. Problem solved.

Shut, you make a legitimate point. Though the color filtered lens for my Dwin were a lot cheaper!!!@@@

Everything is pretty much beta... it's VERY RARE to have a finished product with zero bugs. So why not enjoy something now, knowing its going to get better unlike the Sony SXRD issues. The only difference is- a company is being honest upfront vs. fixing it later like all the Blu-ray and HD DVD players.

Lumagen is phenomenal. Regular firmware updates over the web for three years plus with my Lumagen VisonPro HDP. And it worked great to start. I wouldn't hold up buying one on the basis that its beta at all.

true, but I have to get the RS-1 ceiling mounted and the panamorph lens/sled mounted first! A couple of months in the hands of RS- 1 owners would give my installer and me the advantage of user experience of that combo!

Don't be so cheap. Next year in Vegas, get a $300 room instead of a $1,000 one. Use the savings now to buy the Radiance.

Don't be so cheap. Next year in Vegas, get a $300 room instead of a $1,000 one. Use the savings now to buy the Radiance.

hahah! Citadels or nothin' 4 ewe Steve!!

hahah! Citadels or nothin' 4 ewe Steve!!

OK. Mark, instead of using that money for the Radiance, contribute to my Citadel slush fund. HA!

501c fund??

Back to the subject at hand. I see that the Enterprise has as an option Reich high pressure binding posts, also available as an option fo the Citadel, Theta's flagship monoblock.
Any folks have the Reich posts? How do they sound vs the standard posts? Are they as easy to connect speaker cable to as standard five way binding posts?

Steve,
Just a little anecdote. A few years ago I had a Dreadnaught 1 driving a pair of Dunlavy Vs. For fun, I took my Bryston 7Bs, which were driving my subs, and put them onto the Dunlavy duty. To my surprise, the Brystons were superior. I didn't realize it until I tried the Brystons, that the soundstage would collapse on orchestral climaxes when the Dunlavy's were driven by the Dreadnaught. Also bass impact was superior with the Brystons. I suspect that the power supply in the Theta amplifier was not adequate for the job.
Hopefully, this has improved with Theta's newer amps, but I'm not sure.

Regarding the Power Supply on the original Dreadnaught... all channels are driven from the same power supply. The Dreadnaught II I believe has 2 seperate transformers which is why it's rated at 225 Watts and not 200 Watts per channel.

Bottom line... if you want your cake and eat it too, then the Citadel is the only Theta brand power amp for you Steve.

Regarding the Power Supply on the original Dreadnaught... all channels are driven from the same power supply. The Dreadnaught II I believe has 2 seperate transformers which is why it's rated at 225 Watts and not 200 Watts per channel.

Bottom line... if you want your cake and eat it too, then the Citadel is the only Theta brand power amp for you Steve.

Jim,
Steve no longer eats cake as he is on a healthy diet! So Steve, if you want to have your salad and eat it too, then the Citadel is the only Theta brand power amp for you Steve.

Steve,
Just a little anecdote. A few years ago I had a Dreadnaught 1 driving a pair of Dunlavy Vs. For fun, I took my Bryston 7Bs, which were driving my subs, and put them onto the Dunlavy duty. To my surprise, the Brystons were superior. I didn't realize it until I tried the Brystons, that the soundstage would collapse on orchestral climaxes when the Dunlavy's were driven by the Dreadnaught. Also bass impact was superior with the Brystons. I suspect that the power supply in the Theta amplifier was not adequate for the job.
Hopefully, this has improved with Theta's newer amps, but I'm not sure.

Are you talking about the Bryston 7Bs. I would certainly expect that the Bryston 7Bs as mono blocks would have superior bass to the Dreadnaught 1 or 2 given that they are multi-channel amps. I wouldn't necessarily expect this of the Enterprise. Has anyone compared bass say on the Bryston multi-channel amps vs the Dreadnaught 1 or 2?

Jim,
Steve no longer eats cake as he is on a healthy diet! So Steve, if you want to have your salad and eat it too, then the Citadel is the only Theta brand power amp for you Steve.

Very true - weight loss approaching 30 pounds. Goal is within the next 3-5 months to have lost one of my mono block amps weight from my body.

Very true - weight loss approaching 30 pounds. Goal is within the next 3-5 months to have lost one of my mono block amps weight from my body.
weigh two go Steve:)

Back to the subject at hand. I see that the Enterprise has as an option Reich high pressure binding posts, also available as an option fo the Citadel, Theta's flagship monoblock.
Any folks have the Reich posts? How do they sound vs the standard posts? Are they as easy to connect speaker cable to as standard five way binding posts?
Steve the Reich binding posts have more surface area contact than a standard binding post. They are very easy to use as a single Allen driver provided by Theta locks down both + & - legs simultaneously. We have a bi wired pair of them for our Vandersteen 5A's and they sound excellent.

Steve the Reich binding posts have more surface area contact than a standard binding post. They are very easy to use as a single Allen driver provided by Theta locks down both + & - legs simultaneously. We have a bi wired pair of them for our Vandersteen 5A's and they sound excellent.

I did a bit of checking re the Reich binding posts. The seem to be very well and sturdily constructed!!! But I saw the each Reich post has a set of positive and negative, with each one having its own hex nut to tighten. Its the standard
Cardas binding post that has like a circle that turns to tighten both positive and negative at the same time?

What guage and connectors (1/4" spades, or I under you can use
Cardas "paddle" connectors which basically are a spade but with no space and solid copper, etc. in a paddle shape. Are you biwiring?

seems no one has really given you a straight answer to your question steve. after 2 pages, i would conclude that none here have done a meaningful comparison to your question. check out other audiogon or audioasylum for any reviews for these amps or the next best thing would be to try them at home.

I did a bit of checking re the Reich binding posts. The seem to be very well and sturdily constructed!!! But I saw the each Reich post has a set of positive and negative, with each one having its own hex nut to tighten. Its the standard
Cardas binding post that has like a circle that turns to tighten both positive and negative at the same time?

What guage and connectors (1/4" spades, or I under you can use
Cardas "paddle" connectors which basically are a spade but with no space and solid copper, etc. in a paddle shape. Are you biwiring?
Steve, you're right the Reich post has two Allen screws per channel. It's a much more solid post than the Cardas. I have the Cardas on a Dread II for center and rear. The Reich is a solid billit of aluminum about 1" x 3" which binds the spade lugs with one bolt per leg solidly locking each of the + & - legs. We have 2 of these mounted on each amp for bi-wiring using two completly separate speaker cables. They are far more substantial than the Cardas posts with more contact area, more pressure, and I believe better sounding. They are also much easier to connect and stay tighter once locked down.

I've had several forum members message me, seems they are also seriously considering the Enterprise amps as well!!!@@@

I always thought Steve had a TOP NOTCH system until the day he bought the entry level monoblocs from Theta. :p ;) :D

really, I'm disappointed in Steve. Now Jeff thebland has better Video AND Audio. :)

really, I'm disappointed in Steve. Now Jeff thebland has better Video AND Audio. :)

Mark is ribbing, by saying something positive when he means the negative.
Mark doesn't have any idea what he's talkin' about. He hasn't been to my theater for five years. And he hasn't been to Bland's. And Jeff/the Bland's theater isn't part of this discussion. I'm glad Jeff enjoys his theater and leave it at that.

Back to the Enterprise tidbits.

I always thought Steve had a TOP NOTCH system until the day he bought the entry level monoblocs from Theta. :p ;) :D

Again, please PM me and I'll give you my address for my Citadel and Theta Generation VIII DAC slush fund. Its scary how much better my system could get if only I could afford it.

Steve, u know i'm just using up bandwidth. Don't worry your sound and video are OK:)!

Steve, u know i'm just using up bandwidth. Don't worry your sound and video are OK:)!

Mark Burnstein will have the BEST SOUNDING home theater once he gets it done!!! When will that be, heck if I know? Mark, if you wanna brag, please start your own thread. :D :eek: :)

Hi Steve,
No plan on bragging, except my system will be the best one, NOT in USE for quite awhile:):).
I heard you got some new monoblocks.

Hi Steve,
No plan on bragging, except my system will be the best one, NOT in USE for quite awhile:):).
I heard you got some new monoblocks.


Mark, if ya wanna brag, you should have more kids. One son ain't enough!!!!!

Steve - if you want to keep the thread on your amp inquiry then ignore the projector comments...

I have a Dreadnaught I and have thought about the Enterprise deal as well. I suspected the comments from those who have demo'd them. I put my Dreadnaught next to my McIntosh MC-352 (when I had it) for a side-by-side comparison with two-channel a while back. And while voices and piano were spectacular sounding, things like upright bass and anything else with bottom end - even ambient bottom end like you'd find in a large hall - was sadly lacking. It was a bittersweet experience.

I still have the Dreadnaught and I am not sure I'll replace it because I don't know what multi-channel amps out there can compete with it. I should revisit that two channel comparison with my current Krell FPB-300C just to verify.

I believe the lack of bottom end has to do with the "zero feedback" design philosophy. I am no expert on these matters, but this was how it was explained to me some time ago.

**edit** - Having said the above, with amplifiers, system synergy is as important as with anything else. There are plenty of people getting incredible sound from amps with less than 10Watts. Not me though. The speakers I used for my Dreadnaught evaluation above where Legacy Focus 20/20s. They may be efficient, but they need tons of current. They are rated at 4 ohms, but have dips below 2 ohms which make them very demanding on amplifiers in other ways.

As I understand it, Brystons too would not have been a good fit for me at that time. When I spoke to their tech guys, they didn't seem too enthused with low impedance demands on their amps. So perhaps your findings would be different from mine regarding the Thetas. I doubt it because of the zero-feedback mentioned above, but perhaps.

Still – the Enterprises are damn attractive!

Steve - if you want to keep the thread on your amp inquiry then ignore the projector comments...

I have a Dreadnaught I and have thought about the Enterprise deal as well. I suspected the comments from those who have demo'd them. I put my Dreadnaught next to my McIntosh MC-352 (when I had it) for a side-by-side comparison with two-channel a while back. And while voices and piano were spectacular sounding, things like upright bass and anything else with bottom end - even ambient bottom end like you'd find in a large hall - was sadly lacking. It was a bittersweet experience.

I still have the Dreadnaught and I am not sure I'll replace it because I don't know what multi-channel amps out there can compete with it. I should revisit that two channel comparison with my current Krell FPB-300C just to verify.

I believe the lack of bottom end has to do with the "zero feedback" design philosophy. I am no expert on these matters, but this was how it was explained to me some time ago.

**edit** - Having said the above, with amplifiers, system synergy is as important as with anything else. There are plenty of people getting incredible sound from amps with less than 10Watts. Not me though. The speakers I used for my Dreadnaught evaluation above where Legacy Focus 20/20s. They may be efficient, but they need tons of current. They are rated at 4 ohms, but have dips below 2 ohms which make them very demanding on amplifiers in other ways.

As I understand it, Brystons too would not have been a good fit for me at that time. When I spoke to their tech guys, they didn't seem too enthused with low impedance demands on their amps. So perhaps your findings would be different from mine regarding the Thetas. I doubt it because of the zero-feedback mentioned above, but perhaps.

Still – the Enterprises are damn attractive!

Dave, can't comment on your system and findings, only mine. But as discussed in the companion thread re my having the Enterprises, in my system bass ain't lacking a bit compared to my former Bryston amps - the bass is more real, live and full. I love the Enerprises on the bass in my system with Aerial 9s and Granite Audio cabling and power cords. Thats in my system!!!

Oops - sorry. I haven't been here for a while and missed your other thread.

OK - now I have different speakers from when I had the Dreadnaught connected to my mains. I used to have Legacy Focus 20/20s and now have Legacy Whispers. The Dreadnaught on the Whispers sounds really sweet. No lack of bottom end like I observed with the Focus 20/20s. I listen to Ray Brown’s Super Bass II SACD from start to finish last night. I had no desire to stop them from performing right in front of me. The banter between Ray, Christian McBride, John Clayton, and the audience, and their precise location and depth was uncanny.

There’s something to be said for synergy…