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Question for David - Frank Harvey (or Bryston owners)

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jaxwired

Well-known member
Feb 7, 2009
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This question is for David of Frank Harvey HiFi OR anybody that is familiar with Bryston gear and would like to comment. I appreciate any and all input, even igglebert who will likely scold me for even thinking about new equipment...

I've got a chance to try out a Bryston 2b sst2 in my system. Bear in mind I'm happy with the NAD and don't plan on changing (famous last words), but why not try it out and see what I'm missing? My question is, should I beg borrow or steal a bryston BP6 pre-amp or should I just use my NAD C165 pre (which I personally have a high opinion of anyway). Will I be giving the Bryston a fair shake without the accompanying Bryston pre?

Also, do you think the 2b sst2 has enough grunt for my hard to drive Dyn Contours?
 
ScottH:...Uh oh...

?!!
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Hi Jaxwired

Sorry for the delay in replying, was sorting something out most of the day yesterday.....

The Bryston will certainly drive and control your 1.4's much better than the NAD will. I've used a 3b before driving KEF Reference 4.2's, which were a real pain to control and get the best of, and I was surprised that the 3b actually managed the job admirably. The 1.4's will be a bit of an easier load than the 4.2's, so shouldn't be too much of a problem for the 2b.

Even without the matching Bryston pre, you will still get a decent benefit from the 2b. Obviously this will leave you open to upgrading the pre at a later date. If you try it with the Bryston pre together, prepare to be dusting off the credit card....
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No I missed the meaning of scott's reply as well David!

Quick answers and maybe a question or two:

1. Yes the 2B will have plenty of grunt to drive your Contours with ease, I also expect greater control and punch than your existing amp.

2.The BP26 is a highly accomplished pre and obviously works well with Bryston power amps. Not saying its the best for the money but very good indeed. Again I would expect better results than with your existing pre but its not necessary to demo both at this stage - you should hear enough of a margin based on the improved current and drive from the 2B to help you make up your mind - you can always look at an upgrade to your pre at a later date.

Looks like you've got an all NAD set up at present - would I be correct in assuming that you're now dipping your toe into a cycle of upgrades that will see most of this replaced? The best advice I can give you is to start with the end in mind, or else you may make some costly errors along the way as you discover what you really want! Good luck
 
David and Crimson, thank you both for the reply. I've managed to get a BP6 pre on loan as well. This is the entry level Bryston preamp, but my understanding is that it's very similar to the BP26 without the external power supply.

Regarding replacing all the NAD gear, I wouldn't see a need to replace the CDP and DAC.

I think this will be more about learning than shopping (again famous last words lol). This is a chance to hear a very well respected brand. At the very least I want to know how it compares to what I have.

But, if I'm blown away, then....well...
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FrankHarveyHiFi:Do let us know how you get on
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You bet. Should have the gear for the weekend. I will try and post a pic and some comments once all the wiring is sorted out.

And the wife is out of town this weekend so plenty of play time...
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Thanks again.
 
Happy listening, look forward to your review.

I'd be surprised if you weren't reaching for your cheque book within a short space of listening, with your speakers quivering in the corner fearing they are next!
 
Jax - looking forward to your feedback.

David - regarding the Brystons - im extremely tempted to have an audtion of these amps at some point at the back end of the year. Have you had any experience regarding Musical Fidelity KWPre/750 Power? I would love to know what the main differences were. Im happy with my sound - but then again Ive never heard Bryston gear. Sometimes you dont know, what you dont know

My mission for this year - is to experience and hear all high end gear to get ready for a nice spending spree in 2011 if needed - or spend more money on a HT amplifier - or both (work permitting)
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Hi Vinny

I can't say I've heard the ones you own, so I can't comment directly on those. I have heard many other MF amplifiers though (up to about 2004), and they're not exactly my cup of tea. I find them a little too warm and woolly, with so much going on at the frequency extremes that everything in the middle sounds recessed, overpowered. I find that Bryston does what the MF's do, but in a more controlled, balanced manner, bringing far more detail out of the mix. When I compared the Quad 909 power amp to an equivalent MF, the Quad made the MF sound like an amp using a loudness button.

But that's my opinion. If I felt the MF's were better than the Brystons, I'd own them, not Bryston.
 
Thanks David - id have to agree with you. Ive owned them all from the MF A3.2 all the way up to the KW series. And I was never happy, hence the constant upgrade. Strangely some of the older equipment sounded better imo than some of the newer equipment I traded them for. I did find the KW series finally got things right and had the control I was looking for without sounding too warm and wolly. You are absolutely right imo, about all the MF gear I used prior to that. its funny how each series I owned, was different in its own right. (not drastically however)

Infact when I sold my KW CD player (SACD and DM25 versions) and got a temporary A5 CD player (upgraded model) - it was only with me for a week as I couldnt take the horror I was listening too.

Not any time in the near future - most likely next year. But are customers allowed to bring their setup to your store to do comparisons? Id love to bring my whole MF gear down and compare it to many items I have seen you store.

Thx for your input - im really intrigued by Bryston. I wish they could make gorgeous looking equipment however
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I heard up to the A3 and A5 amplification, which had a big soundstage and effortless power, but that was all the positives I could attribute to them. If you go back to the mid 90's, the P170.2 power amp was an amazing bit of kit, along with the P270 and A370. Some people love it, but that shows how different we all are.

Customers are more than wecome to bring along their own products, an A/B dem is always the best way forward.

Bryston is amazingly well built, but they don't go for fancy cases with blingy bits that cost money - it's all about what's inside. And the fact you get a 20 year warranty makes their (not cheap) prices seem like a bargain.
 
Excellent News. Im sure it will be interesting when the time comes.

The A5 - which won many awards was a puzzling affair. I am a huge MF fan, but the A5 didnt inspire anything. I even spoke to me dealer and made the change from the A5 to the pre/power version. Again, it seemed lifeless. I found myself just turning up the volume to get some life into the music.

Anyway - thanks again.
 
The Bryston BP6 entry level pre-amp arrived first. I don't have the amp yet. So I removed my NAD C165 Pre and hooked the Bryston BP6 up in place of the NAD. So the Bryston preamp is now between my Benchmark DAC and my NAD C275 amp. When I first took it out of the box I was unimpressed. It weighs far less than my very nicely built NAD. But then I hooked it up and wow, this preamp really sounds good. I'm surprised that the difference is so noticable... Don't get me wrong, I really like the NAD too, but this is a different sound... Main course tomorrow...
 
Nice Jaxwired - keep us updated
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What were the main differences when you changed the pre. You mentioned a different sound? - Can you shed more light on this?

I am a Bryston virgin - curiosity is getting the better of me......thats how it normally works........right........
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Hi Vinny,

I didn't expect a big change, and everyone defines "big" differently, but I would say the change is very noticable. The Bryston pre has made everything more detailed and clean sounding. If you had told me this was possible before I tried this Bryston pre, I would have laughed in your face given how fantastic the NAD pre already sounded. I'm hearing micro detail now that I didn't notice before. I mean I was playing Kings of Covenience last night which admittedly is a very clean clear sounding recording, but I was hearing the sound of the guys lips pull apart as he opened his mouth to sing the next line. Like a little smacking noise. Sounds ridiculous, but that's the level of micro detail I'm hearing.

I think the Bryston is a really good match for the Dynaudio Contours because the Dyns are bass rich and laid back. Given the detail I'm getting from just the preamp, I suspect that it could be too forward sounding if paired with the wrong speakers, but that's really too much to judge just from the preamp. The amp arrives tonight. I'll post a pic and some comments this weekend.

I will say that it's no great shakes to look at. I do have the black version. The silver version is more high end looking. To me this Bryston gear really has a feel of a smaller high end company that hand assembles the equipment. I don't know anything about the company, but I would bet it's a small operation. I think the best HiFi probably comes from smaller companies like this. The remote is comical. It's a solid aluminum heavy affair and looks like something from 1975 when remotes were first introduced. But it's built like a tank. I'd prefer a modern plastic remote.
 
jaxwired:The Bryston BP6 entry level pre-amp arrived first. I don't have the amp yet. So I removed my NAD C165 Pre and hooked the Bryston BP6 up in place of the NAD. So the Bryston preamp is now between my Benchmark DAC and my NAD C275 amp. When I first took it out of the box I was unimpressed. It weighs far less than my very nicely built NAD. But then I hooked it up and wow, this preamp really sounds good. I'm surprised that the difference is so noticable... Don't get me wrong, I really like the NAD too, but this is a different sound... Main course tomorrow...

And what a main course it will be.....the chef's speciality
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Vinny7: I am a Bryston virgin - curiosity is getting the better of me......thats how it normally works........right........
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I'd keep that virginity as long as you can - it'll cost ya when you lose it!!
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What a treat you're in for - Bryston's pre is good but their power amps are the real stars. The 2B should take that extra detail and effortlessly provide you with a large and realistic soundstage, with extra weight and separation to the instruments.

You do realise this is going to be expensive don't you?!
 
Hi,

I asked in another thread about compatibility between different brands of pre and power amps.

Looking into the future, as an alternative to a pair of Mono X's for my system, I was thinking of a 2B SST power amp. Cost is much the same.

Anyone have any thoughts on compatibility sonically with a Cyrus pre? (would have 8XPd modded to Pre XPd I think as a cheaper alternative than buying new).

Thanks
 
FrankHarveyHiFi:
ScottH:...Uh oh...

?!!
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No disrespect intended, merely pointing out the fact that upgraditis is an expensive affair (a great one at that too)

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It's all good Scott. I'm the first to admit I'm a nut. Can't help it, I love music and I love shiny audio gear...soooo pretty...drool....
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I think you'll notice that I tend not to bad mouth gear I've switched out. It's because I really liked it. So why do I switch? To answer that I need intensive pyscho-therapy... I guess it's the not knowing that bugs me. Yes I love what I have, but I haven't heard everything yet...
 
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