That's not that uncommon of a position. Most amps do sound different when bridged and you'll likely end up with a trade off. In some cases the trade off will be a benefit and in some cases not so much. If you don't have the power to properly drive a pair of speakers and bridging gets you the power you need then the trade might be beneficial.

There really isn't a universal opinion and it can be very system specific as to whether or not it nets a positive.

Quite a topic!

I'll go with:

Bridging will bring you 3 dB more volume at the expense of the amp having a harder time handling any variations in speaker impedence.

Elk, Ergonaut, BJH, et al...is that about right?

Depends on whether the channels are bridged in parallel or in series. One will gain you more voltage while the other will allow higher amperage and, if I remember correctly ... Most direct coupled amplifiers will only allow paralleled connections which increases the voltage but makes the amp less stable into low impedance loads. A transformer coupled amplifier should have the ability to bridge either way though most transformer coupled amplifiers are not high amperage devices in the first place and so they get paralleled outputs to gain the additional 3dB input sensitivity.

Checkout an AVA phase inverter http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/bridge/Ultra_Bridge.htm Ultra series. By using this method of bridging you lower the drain on the power supply, increase available output power. I run 2 phae inverters making for 4 amps in bi amp mode....it triples the output of the amps, due to the phase difference of drain on power section of amps....something about 1400W+ out of each amp that brings the music ALIVE. Once you go the AVA Ultra Phae inverter way, simple bridgeing of teh amp, with a built in switch that many amps have, is not the way to go.

Brystons are wonderful amps! Congrats.

You won't need to bridge it unless you need the power. In my experience most amps sound better "unbridged", but Brystons work great either way so use what you find works best.

http://sound.westhost.com/bridging.htm

http://sound.westhost.com/project14.htm

http://sound.westhost.com/project20.htm

Hi Stereoman. :O)

In our lounge at home,I run a NAD C370 Bridged with a NAD C270 and bi-wire my speakers. I tried my two amps bi-amped, then Bridged and bi-wired and found that the sound quality
seeemed to improve with them brideged. I have repeated it many times with several different pairs of speakers in several rooms and myself and my wife prefers the sound of them bridged.

However, if you are able to try a pair unbridged, try listening that way and maybe bi-amp your speakers.

Quote:
Quite a topic!

I'll go with:

Bridging will bring you 3 dB more volume at the expense of the amp having a harder time handling any variations in speaker impedence.

Elk, Ergonaut, BJH, et al...is that about right?

Bridging will provide twice the voltage to the load, which will double the power (+3db) provided to the load (speaker).
In an ideal world of course. The internal resistance of the amplifier will be doubled thus reducing the damping factor and cuasing a not quite doubling of power.
A 3db increase in power will not produce a perceived two times increase in volume.

Quote:
Depends on whether the channels are bridged in parallel or in series. One will gain you more voltage while the other will allow higher amperage and, if I remember correctly ... Most direct coupled amplifiers will only allow paralleled connections which increases the voltage but makes the amp less stable into low impedance loads. A transformer coupled amplifier should have the ability to bridge either way though most transformer coupled amplifiers are not high amperage devices in the first place and so they get paralleled outputs to gain the additional 3dB input sensitivity.

Power output is based on amplifier voltage provided to a load. As long as the amplifier can supply the required current.
Bridging an amplifier is done by driving one side of the amplifier in opposite phase relative to the other thus doubling the output voltage. One side goes positive and the other side goes negative. I guess that this would be a series configuration based on your description.
As far as I know there are no parallel bridged amps.
Many amplifiers do use multiple parallel output drivers in their design, but that is not considered bridging.

In the case of the bridged amplifier described in Elliot's article, I would consider the description to be that of a series connection for bridging. "The loudspeaker is connected between the amplifier's '+' outputs only, and neither side of the speaker can be earthed or connected to any other amplifier output ... "

In the case of my Mac tube amplifiers, the mono switch on the front panel does the phase inversion while the outputs are connected from right channel (16 Ohm) "+" tap to left channel (16 Ohm) "+" tap and right "C" tap to left "C" tap. The speakers are driven off one side of the output taps. I would consider that a paralled connection.

Quote:
In the case of the bridged amplifier described in Elliot's article, I would consider the description to be that of a series connection for bridging. "The loudspeaker is connected between the amplifier's '+' outputs only, and neither side of the speaker can be earthed or connected to any other amplifier output ... "

Correct

Quote:

In the case of my Mac tube amplifiers, the mono switch on the front panel does the phase inversion while the outputs are connected from right channel (16 Ohm) "+" tap to left channel (16 Ohm) "+" tap and right "C" tap to left "C" tap. The speakers are driven off one side of the output taps. I would consider that a paralled connection.

Based on your wiring description it does sound like a parallel connection but I don't see why one do this. Also if paralleling outputs you would not want to invert one of the channels. I'll look into this.

3X teh power, using teh AVA phase inverters, sicne you are taking load off teh power supplies section. And other electrical items running mono using phase inverter is the way to sonic bliss. Output is taken off the two + posts, output voltage is doubled capacity indeed.

Quote:
3X teh power, using teh AVA phase inverters, sicne you are taking load off teh power supplies section. And other electrical items running mono using phase inverter is the way to sonic bliss. Output is taken off the two + posts, output voltage is doubled capacity indeed.

Of course, I should have known!
How did you learn to express yourself the way you do?
It must be true, it's a fine line between genius and insanity. Insanity is a lot more fun but doesn't pay as well, right?

It pays....plus it keeps me sane, by being insane. It's kinda weird, but it works.

Read this http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/bridge/Ultra_Bridge.htm the power or MORE!! Plus it gives you a balanced out if you are thinking balanced is better sound than unbalanced....I use it for power and making my amp monofied...1400+ RMS watts times 4. Watts, there is no substitute, and these are mighty fine good FAST 800V/uS 0.01% < watts, it's super AVA watts, priced for mortals, and sounds like a million. they never run out of steam, there is no such thing as too much power....it controls and makes the speakers sing