Appreciate all the great feedback fellas! If I can somehow demo a Bryston amp on my system I'll give it a serious listen. However, since I want to minimize the buy-sell (lose money) then buy-sell (lose money) process as much as possible on my amp search I'm not all that convinced yet that aside from a world class warranty and exceptional feel and styling (all very important) that I couldn't get comparable sound for less. I'll be leaning toward companies that will give me a demo period versus strait out purchase. I'll check the local audio shops and see if I can't demo a unit and try to report back down the road. Realistically I don't see me picking up an amp until the March/April time frame.
Put it to you this way...I used to own a very expensive Swiss made amp and preamp, the FM Acoustics. I compared the BRYSTON, and let me tell you, I'll be damned if I heard a difference. Actually, I like the BRYSTON better. The FM amp used to overheat and shut down when pushed hard. The BRYSTON 4BSST doesn't do that. The BP6 preamp is more transparent than the FM preamp.
Anyway, I sold the FM amp and preamp, paid my rent for a year, and bought a new (used) car.
My point is, more expensive is not always better, but if you go the cheap route (made in China most likely) you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
So buy BRYSTON with confidence...if you don't like it later on, you can always sell it close to what you paid for it as BRYSTON has good resale value. Or go up in the BRYSTON line!
