I'm in the midst of evaluating (long term) a Bryston B135 SST2 integrated in my system to replace tubed separates. One of my first truly hifi experiences was with a B60 many years ago, and that impression hasn't left me, so when I had the chance to pick up the B135, I jumped on it. I currently own Triangle Celius 202 floor standers.
I'm finding that the top end seems a little .. subdued, I suppose, with the B135. The best example is the cymbals on jazz recordings, where the shimmer and decay seems muted compared to the same speakers with the tube amplification. Levels were matched at the seating position using pink noise and a spl meter, so I think any differences due to volume have been minimized. Other components were unchanged (cd as source, cables, etc).
I am surprised since none of the reviews I've read have noted it, nor do the measurements I've seen from the Australian HiFi review show anything other than ruler flat performance for the Bryston (as opposed to the tube amps, which can show some +/- 1.5 dBs along the frequency response, though not at the top end). I'm wondering if it's specific to this speaker/Bryston combination, and I don't have another pair of speakers lying around. Again, no mention in any of the reviews of bad speaker/amplifier combinations.
Of course there are trade-offs with different amplification choices, I'm just wondering if this is one I need to live with if I stick with the Bryston and the current speakers. There's plenty to gain with the Bryston, of course, and this is just one factor. Thanks for any comments!