Announcing The Bryston BR-20 Preamp/DAC/Streamer

Stefan_DR3 · « **Reply #320 on:** 18 Nov 2021, 03:14 am »

Quote from: Simm on 18 Nov 2021, 12:57 am

For a Preamp of this quality a Moving Coil cartridge provision would be better appriclated then MM. There might not be room for such an addition, but it is a feature one would expect. Maybe another preamp?

BP26MC with outboard power supply.

You can either have onboard power supply or step-up transformers, not both in one chassis. Bryston does not use active gain stages for MC inputs. I use the TF-2 with my preamp and it sounds excellent.

James Tanner · « **Reply #321 on:** 18 Nov 2021, 10:38 am »

Dear James,

please check third Polish review of BR-20, this time in High Fidelity web magazine - very famous and appreciated by audiophiles.

http://highfidelity.pl/@main-4107&lang=

Short summary:
"BRYSTON BR-20 IS AN EXCELLENT, truly exceptionally successful line preamplifier. Its sound is deep timbre, perfectly balanced, velvety natural, fantastically resolving. I am convinced that many fans of tube technology would be wrong in their comparisons and would point to the BR-20 as a very good tube product. And at the same time, it is a device faithful to the letter of the recording.

And this is how I treat this device - as a great line preamplifier, with which we get a free (as I see it) file player, DAC and an excellent - I must add - a headphone amplifier.

If this is what the combination of studio and audiophile experience should look like, then I'm for, and I'm really excited about it "

Best regards

Robert Fijałkowski
MJ AUDIO LAB

James Tanner · « **Reply #322 on:** 19 Nov 2021, 10:07 pm »

Hi Folks,

Coming soon - review on the BR-20 from Secrets Of Home Theater

James Tanner · « **Reply #323 on:** 20 Nov 2021, 01:46 am »

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Happy Customers !!!

1. I bought a pair of Model T Passive speakers to replace my 22-year-old B&W Matrix 803 S2 six months ago. The 803 S2 had been put away in my bedroom ever since then and I didn't do an A/B test for the both pairs of speakers at the time. I used to try to find many speakers to replace the 803 in the past 20 years, but I failed all the time. Until I heard a pair of Model T, I decided to give it a try. I grew to like the Model T with every day's listening, the sound quality has really been to my liking. But, there is always a sound in my head: How much better can it be than the good old 803 S2?
Today I hooked up the 803 again and finally did the A/B test and I was so surprised that the two speakers are totally different world! The model T is much much better in every way! I knew the Model T is good(or it would not be with me for 6 months) but now I know how good it really is! Looks like it's time to say goodbye to my good old B&W Matrix 803.

2. OMG the streamer player in this BR-20 is very addictive!!!…I normally am playing vinyl at this point on a Friday night with my ProJect Signature 10 with my Focal Sopra2’s but my fat ass is glued to the chair with the BR-20 & the beloved Bryston Mini-T’s upstairs in the living room (nuthin mini about them by the way)…TGIF…Happy Bryston Listening Everyone !!!

James Tanner · « **Reply #324 on:** 29 Nov 2021, 12:38 pm »

MEMO: To All Concerned
SUBJECT: BR-20 Best Product Award

Dear James

I'm very happy I can inform you that Bryston BR-20 Preamp/DAC/Streamer won

High Fidelity 2021 BEST PRODUCT !!

Please find attached prize logo.

Official announcement will take place on 1st of December.

Congratulations!

Kindest regards
Robert Fijałkowski
MJ AUDIO LAB

emcallaway · « **Reply #325 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 01:11 am »

Not sure of the official status of Roon certification, but I can report I'm currently controlling my BR-20 via Roon. In Manic Moose, choose "Roon Bridge" as the playback method (which i think is a relatively new feature). In Roon, go to Settings>Audio and enable the BR-20 (which shows initially as BDA3), and voila! Roon controlling the BR-20. it seems that pause and skip on the remote are disabled when being controlled by Roon, but volume works fine. This was a breakthrough to me, and I hope it is useful for you.

spartana · « **Reply #326 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 03:40 am »

Hi,
Not using Roon (yet) but would the BR 20 work by streaming via Bubble UPnP / MinimServer?
Thanks,
Holger

r.strefford · « **Reply #327 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 12:18 pm »

Hi James,

Congratulations on the award for the BR-20.

Now that Roon seems to be working there is just one more feature that is missing that is preventing me upgrading from my BP-173 / BDA-3.14 combo to a BR-20 and that is HT Bypass support.

As volume of the BR-20 is digitally controlled is this something you will be adding in a future firmware update? Just curious as to if/when that feature would be added?

I’m sure I’m not the only one for who HT Bypass is a critical feature in a combined stereo / surround setup.

Eagerly awaiting your reply,

Rob

Mariusz Uszynski · « **Reply #328 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 12:32 pm »

Hi James
Congratulations Team Bryston on winning the award for BR-20, well done!!!!!

James Tanner · « **Reply #329 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 01:26 pm »

Quote from: r.strefford on 30 Nov 2021, 12:18 pm

Hi James,

Congratulations on the award for the BR-20.

Now that Roon seems to be working there is just one more feature that is missing that is preventing me upgrading from my BP-173 / BDA-3.14 combo to a BR-20 and that is HT Bypass support.

As volume of the BR-20 is digitally controlled is this something you will be adding in a future firmware update? Just curious as to if/when that feature would be added?

I’m sure I’m not the only one for who HT Bypass is a critical feature in a combined stereo / surround setup.

Eagerly awaiting your reply,

Rob

Hi Rob

We have prototype software with passthrough but not happy with the way it works yet - will be some time I think.

james

r.strefford · « **Reply #330 on:** 30 Nov 2021, 02:14 pm »

Ok James,

I’ll keep squirrelling away funds for a BR-20. Thanks for the info.

Rob

Dawgneck · « **Reply #331 on:** 1 Dec 2021, 03:11 am »

Hello, James.

3 questions:

1. Is the HDMI module able to receive music (dsd, etc) from DACs with I2S ports?
2. Does the HDMI module pass-through Dolby Vision and/or Dolby Atmos?
3. When will we be able to download the manual?

Thank you in advance.

r.strefford · « **Reply #332 on:** 1 Dec 2021, 06:19 am »

You can get the manual here:

http://support.bryston.com/downloads/BR-20/Manual/

HDMI board (HSR-41T) supports Dolby vision pass through but you would need to set audio outputs on your hdmi devices to PCM stereo in order to get audio to pass through the BR-20. DSD support is listed, but I2s is not. HDMI board spec sheet is via link below. According to Bryston eARC is not supported in current firmware but will be supported with a future firmware update.

https://0395410.netsolhost.com/mds/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/HSR-T-Series-Rev-1c.pdf

James Tanner · « **Reply #333 on:** 1 Dec 2021, 11:28 am »

Hi Folks

Yes the BR-20 is really designed for the stereo listener so I would not recommend it for an interface for a power surround listened.

james

Dawgneck · « **Reply #334 on:** 1 Dec 2021, 04:18 pm »

Quote from: r.strefford on 1 Dec 2021, 06:19 am

You can get the manual here:

http://support.bryston.com/downloads/BR-20/Manual/

HDMI board (HSR-41T) supports Dolby vision pass through but you would need to set audio outputs on your hdmi devices to PCM stereo in order to get audio to pass through the BR-20. DSD support is listed, but I2s is not. HDMI board spec sheet is via link below. According to Bryston eARC is not supported in current firmware but will be supported with a future firmware update.

https://0395410.netsolhost.com/mds/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/HSR-T-Series-Rev-1c.pdf

Thank you very much, R.Strefford

spartana · « **Reply #335 on:** 4 Dec 2021, 07:36 pm »

Hi, I ordered a BR20 now without HDMI board. Can someone tell me how the backside of the device will look like without the HDMI board? Just open slots or any kind of cover?
Thanks,
Holger

James Tanner · « **Reply #336 on:** 4 Dec 2021, 08:00 pm »

Quote from: spartana on 4 Dec 2021, 07:36 pm

Hi, I ordered a BR20 now without HDMI board. Can someone tell me how the backside of the device will look like without the HDMI board? Just open slots or any kind of cover?
Thanks,
Holger

The openings are covered with an internal metal plate.

james

GlassMirror · « **Reply #337 on:** 5 Dec 2021, 03:49 am »

I know one person that has two Bryston amps, 4B series I think it was. Unbelievable sound. I'm sure anything they manufacture is of the same extreme quality. I unfortunately am not in this $$ category, but given the opportunity, will most assuredly enjoy the sound and awe at the workmanship.

James Tanner · « **Reply #338 on:** 5 Dec 2021, 01:20 pm »

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BR-20 Customer Response

December 2021

Dear James,

I'm reaching out to you to commend you and your team for producing a wonderful product ie. The Bryston BR-20 preamplifier.

I've finally received my unit after a long waiting time of 10 months, but it was worthwhile. My unit comes with the HDMI add-on.

I wish to share my opinions on the BR-20 and compare it with BP-26 and BP-173.

Upon power-up, I hear the BR-20 has greater clarity, depth, width and height in sound stage. The mid-to-high is smooth and the bass makes a big impression for going deeper with much body - not tight and lean per se.

All these observations were noted in the first 2 hours of playtime. I kept wondering if the unit was given some run-in time in the factory. Finally, the relatively lightweight (5.5kg) simply out-punched its predecessors that weighed more.

There are many pre amps in the market that are massive in size and weight but the BR-20 proves that it's impeccable engineering and design that matter most for optimal sound quality.

Stay safe and all the best. Thank you.

Best regards,
Clarence,
Singapore

rcarlbe · « **Reply #339 on:** 9 Dec 2021, 09:31 pm »

James, I received my BR-20 yesterday--very exiting! I love it. My question has to do with upsampling. At a very basic level I understand its advantages. I do not understand its disadvantages. Do I read the manual correctly that upsampling is not possible via USB input? I assume this was by choice given many DACs do this. My specific question is would you recommend upsamping with upstream software (Roon or HQ Player etc) or leave the incoming USB sampling rate alone? Thanks!