Bryston: All fact, no brag power amplification for HT systems
Written: Dec 02 '03
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Pros: True, stable musical power, across the audio spectrum. Incredible reliability, backed by 20-year warranty.
Cons: Nothing detracts. Match in quality to rest of your system.
The Bottom Line: The Bryston power amps can serve as the rock solid foundations for a very high quality music/HT system.
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| drdanfee's Full Review: Bryston 4B ST PRO Amplifier 2-Channel |
In this particular case, the fact that Bryston offers a transferable 20-year warranty is a good summary indication of the level of reliability and build quality that you are getting with Bryston electronics. In my case, I am using a combo 3B (back channels) and 5B (front/center channels) to power a basic 5.0 HT system. The preamp is a used B&K Ref 30, which provides the high quality input needed to feed the high quality output from the Brystons.
Yes, the transferable warranty goes with the equipment, even if you buy/sell used units. I doubt that I will have a problem. The Brystons run faintly warm, off of a UP source that pools regular house electrical power, cleans it up on frequency and voltage variations, and feeds the system.
At the front end is the new Pioneer universal format player, the DV-563a, along with the Perpetual Technologies DAC units.
The point I am making is that getting the Brystons forced me to think through the levels of the rest of the system, so that I would have something like a good match among all quality components. The Brystons are feeding five channels, with Definitive Technologies full range speakers on all five channels. Thus, I feel no need for a subwoofer, although I suppose movie explosions would be even more forceful if I had a subwoofer in the system.
As it stands, I can achieve audio bliss without having much more, and the Brystons are the powerful guts of the system. Frequencies are clear and accurate, across the spectrum. The noise floor on these power amps is so low, you don't even think about it, until you realize you have to look at the lighted indicators to make sure the system is turned on.
Even when challenged with the wider dynamic ranges possible via Super Audio CD, and DVD-audio; well the Brystons don't even really break a sweat. It is not just that the power is there, but that it is also such clean power across the frequency spectrum.
Like good friends who listen more than they talk, the Brystons just disappear in favor of the music, or the movie at hand. I play lots of classical, both vocal and instrumental. Chamber music is finally so vivid that I am rediscovering why people listen to it.
My latest demo disc has been the DVD-audio (not the CD version) of the Mahler Sym 8 with Chailly and associated artists. While I don't really care for Chailly, I have to admit that this recording puts all five channels to spectacular use, both a musical and a sonic blockbuster. The Bryston power amps handle the challenge with aplomb, grace, and complete calm. I actually hardly even really turn things up, since I live in an apartment and have to concern myself with what the neighbors think. Nevertheless, you can depend on the Bryston power amps to deliver, cleanly and consistently and musically.
Highly recommended, even as used items.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 600-950
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Epinions.com ID:
drdanfee
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Reviews written: 2
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