|   Bryston | The big woofer
Oct 6, 2003 12:46 PM | | I've been looking into getting a used Bryston pre-amp / power-amp combo to use with my Paradigm Studio 100's. I'm fairly sure I want to bi-amp the speakers with a pair of Bryston 3B's, or something comparable, and use a .5B preamp. Anyone have experience with any of these? I've heard in various places that they are great products, they seem to be a good value too. Any suggestions on similar products welcome. Thanks for looking.
Pete. |
| re: Bryston | Express
Oct 6, 2003 4:26 PM | | Great amps, but most people might lean towards a different pre-amp as they may be too bright with your Paradigms. I recently dumped a 12 year old 4B and replaced it with new 3BSST. The new amps are just awesome! I went with the 3BSST because Bryston will be introducing an integrated 3B next year and I personally prefer a little brightness for my Studio 100's. So once I get the 2 amps I will bridge them and not have to use my Denon receiver anymore. Of course I'll have to listen to it before I buy. Also Bryston service and warranty is second to NONE!!! So go ahead and buy used, 20 year warranty will give you peace of mind. |
| re: Bryston | RGA
Oct 9, 2003 5:47 PM | | Make sure you have a LOOOOOOONG listen before you do this. I like the Paradigm 100 and I like the Bryston Power amps...I'm not entirely sure I like them together...in fact I don't and here is why.
Firstly I agree with the other poster...the Bryston Preamp is overrated and thin/overly analytical and perhaps even clinical...it disects rather than engages. The power amps are built for unruly speakers with bass drivers that have impedence troubles or just sound flabby. Connecting the Brystons to speakers with these problems can really make em tight and musical...and that is why Bryston makes one of myt favorite power amps.
However, connecting them to speakers that DON'T have those problems makes a tight sound even tighter...and thins out the sound more and sound even more clinical...the result is a highly fatiguing musical experience. Match a tube amp with the Bryston and you may get a real winner...but the Bryston Preamp/poweramp with the 100 is a bit shakey IMO.
The reason I would not buy the Bryston is price. Buying the combo you suggest means you are taking away valuable money from what REALLY counts - the preamp. You can get a very beefy Rotel, Aragon, Adcom etc power amp on the used market for half what a Bryston will cost on the used market. Used price on the Bryston is kept high because of thee warranty...But you could buy 2 or 3 Rotel power amps with similar sound for the price of one Bryston 3 or 4BST.
Getting the used Rotel(and power amps from these guys will last you 30+ years anyway - that's why the warranty is overblown IMO) will allow you lots of money for a VERY HIGH end preamp pehaps from YBA, BAT, Sim Audio, Sugden, and a whole pile of tube gear like Cary, ASL etc.
The 100 is a dead easy speaker to drive 50 watt integrated amps from a "good" amp maker will drive them with ease...unfortunately there are many a Bad 50 watt amp makers...usually from Japan housing big popular names.
Still Bryston makes killer power amps...so if the warranty is a big deal then go for it...the preamp is my concern - it's awfully expensive for what it provides IMO. |
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