Or, the people who love the Bryston are listening a lot louder than the OP at levels that would clip the PA5. The Bryson 3B has three times the power.
Well yes if you need more power, you need more power. The OP indicated he probably didn't. 50 watts for nearfield monitors is not nothing. If I needed more power, I'd rather buy another class D amp with that power for about 1/4th or 1/5th the money of Bryston. Even Bryston's class D amp is about half the money offering slightly more power than the AB amp. I have a class D amp that is nearing 20 years old in daily use that whole time. I can appreciate nicely built amps, but really if they are in a black box and do their job I need never look at it or think about it. If one does wish to spend Bryston or Mac money they are getting an excellent product.
The thing I'm also wondering now that people are talking about topping being not powerful, is it possible I'm clipping the amp without noticing?
Well your choices aren't to buy the Bryston or nothing. There are other more powerful amps. I don't think anyone can claim you will hear a difference unless you use the extra power the Bryston will have. OTOH, take your time, buy one of the Brystons used and if you end up selling it the cost to try it out is not much. You'll know for certain if you think it is worthwhile.
Could go purify or hypex also.
If for whatever reason you do decide to try the Bryston, please be aware that without proper controls in place (level matching, minimal dead time, blind listening), you're likely to hear something that's not physically there.
How are you measuring that 80-85 db. Peak with a fast moving meter, or a slow average? The spec on your speakers was 88 db at 1 meter for 1 watt. If accurate then max power of 50 watts would make peak about 105 db at 1 meter. If you get 200 watts that puts it at 111 db in theory. If you clip something it can get nasty, and a few db can make the difference. If you don't hear it happening, at most it isn't happening very often.
I do not tend to be influenced by price or brands. These are tools for work, and I actually have cheap gear that I use (if it's good, it's good).
People tend to prefer clear, black-and-white discussions -it’s easier to relate to. But as usual, the truth lies somewhere in between.
You will be getting an excellent amp if you buy it. If this is bothering you, and you can afford it at worst you get peace of mind with a nifty very well built amp.
Everyone is effected. If you are human, you cannot avoid it. I know it seems wrong, but it is so.
I see what you are saying, but I have bought tons of gear for my studio because because every studio "needed" this and that, and in the end, I have sold almost all of it.
That's an admirable attitude, but it alone sadly does not make one immune to bias and placebo. These things happen unconsciously.
Interesting, seems like a bigger amp could give me "peace of mind" especially when I'm monitoring louder.
I do have proper listening control, ABX blind testing methods, measuring microphones to create tests, I always level match when comparing 2 files (kids level match).
