Third-party preamps with Bryston amps?

john1970 · « **on:** 28 Jan 2018, 10:42 pm »

Dear Bryston circle,

Not to ruffle any feathers, but I am curious if anyone is using non-Bryson preamps with their Bryston amplifiers. I am considering going down that road and am curious what other AC members are using. My amplifiers are 7B3 and my transducers are Magico S5s. I would prefer to stay with SS for reliability, but am open to all opinions and advice.

Cheers,

John

drummermitchell · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Jan 2018, 10:45 pm »

Vac sig MKIIa with 28's

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Jan 2018, 11:08 pm »

14B-squared + ARC LS27 (SS output)

tipatina · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 12:09 am »

I've used Adcom (distant past), Van Alstine Tube preamp-no problems with either. I used a BP20 in the past too.
Currently using DeHavilland Ultraverve-works well in my setup
I run 2 zones-4B SST for main speakers (Vandy 3A sigs) and an old 4B for peripherals throughout the house.

TJ-Sully · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 02:37 am »

hi john1970, i'm using a BP20 into my 4BSST2 and love it.
although i've been musing about the PS Audio BHK preamp. It has a tube input stage, and class A (MOSFET) output stage.
Never heard it before, but i bet those Magico's would sing with the BHK.
here's a vid of the man himself..Bascom H King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHl8F9amyY4

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 12:24 pm »

"....one overriding principle has dominated all others when sonic compromise isn’t an option: use of a vacuum tube on the input. The isolation and near-perfect linearity of a well designed vacuum tube input stage cannot be duplicated by solid state means, though many have tried".

“Vacuum tubes are simply more convincing and musically accurate than any other input configuration I have ever tried,” said Bascom.

---------

I tend to agree

It's the combination of Vac and SS that's killer.

James Tanner · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 12:45 pm »

Quote from: CanadianMaestro on 29 Jan 2018, 12:24 pm

"....one overriding principle has dominated all others when sonic compromise isn’t an option: use of a vacuum tube on the input. The isolation and near-perfect linearity of a well designed vacuum tube input stage cannot be duplicated by solid state means, though many have tried".

“Vacuum tubes are simply more convincing and musically accurate than any other input configuration I have ever tried,” said Bascom.

---------

I tend to agree

Disagree

james

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 12:45 pm »

Quote from: TJ-Sully on 29 Jan 2018, 02:37 am

here's a vid of the man himself..Bascom H King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHl8F9amyY4

Good video, thanks for posting.

His workspace looks like my lab!!

Phil A · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 01:50 pm »

In a secondary system, I have 3BST along with an Odyssey Candela preamp

bjski · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 03:49 pm »

Bat 52 SE with 7BSST/2, now Legacy Preamp built for Legacy speakers. Thinking about upgrading to the cubes.

Aschen · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 04:23 pm »

I use a ~ 20 year old ARC LS 15. I have had several tube audio research pres with no reliability issues. I am not so much of a Tube-o-phile as much as a toggle-switch-o-phile. I love the older pres with the clanking switches

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 04:44 pm »

A good tube preamp is like owning a vintage 1978 450SL or '64 Mustang. Sweet.

tie_breaker · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 07:13 pm »

ARC Ref 5SE with 7B3 amps. I agree that the Vac-tube pre and SS amp combo can be great.

bummrush · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Jan 2018, 08:05 pm »

Love my Coda

now25 · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Jan 2018, 06:17 am »

Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Renaissance with 7B3. Really love Tube pre-amp and SS power amp combo.

bjski · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Jan 2018, 05:16 pm »

Also have an Onkyo Preamp for my surround feeding Bryston 9BSST/2

G E · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Jan 2018, 07:15 pm »

Bel Canto Pre 6

Pure analog multichannel amp.

No video switching, no digital processing.

My phono preamp is all tube Hagerman Cornet 2 that I built. Even the rectification is handled by tube. In this case a Bendix 6106 once used in missile guidance systems. Now happily used for peaceful purposes... unless I am playing The Who or Never Mind the Bollocks....

Ron D · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Jan 2018, 01:01 am »

Various tube preamps (Rogue Audio 66 & Mag 99, Sonic Horizons, Hovland HP-100, Lamm LL2 (can't remember if it was a deluxe but was my favorite of all of them) L2-Ref, ARC LS-26 & Ref 3). I am sure I've left a few off that had extended audition times in my rig.

I've also had a Bryston .5B (first preamp mated to a pre-NRB series 3B amp - my first really decent setup), BP-26 and BP-17 all of which did the job but I'm just someone who prefers tubes in the mix. All were married up to various amps of various generations of Bryston amps dating back to the late 80's though I have never owned a cubed version amp but apparently some do mate tube preamps to cubed amps...

There is no silver bullet so enjoy the ride - its your system, your ears & your wallet

skunark · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Jan 2018, 06:27 am »

I did a home auditioned for both the BP26 and the McIntosh C2300 a week apart many years ago and it was a hard decision, but in the end i went with the C2300. I would have been easily happy with the BP26 and i thought it was slightly cleaner over the C2300, but the C2300 had more control over the volume for my setup.

BTW, tube in a preamp last a very long time, so don't think a tube preamp is less reliable...

gberger · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Feb 2018, 03:42 am »

Since I only listen to CDs and twof FM classical music stations, I'ved tried to optimize my system for CDs.

I've had a BP6 for several years, and it drives my 4Bsst2 amp with clarity and precision.

IMO, there's a synergy between Bryston Amps and preamps.

Disclaimer: My CDs are all RedBook 16/44.1 Classical, Buegrass and Country discs