[hipp]

I have been enjoying the extraordinary capabilities of the SP3 for many years. The 8 channel Analogue Inputs have allowed me to play multichannel audio with a quality I cannot find when I play through HDMI or other digital inputs.
Is there any thought from the Bryston Team to create a new Multichannel Processor , maintaining the 8 channel analogue section, but adding some of the new codecs, Atmos obviously as an example. Expanding the channel layout accordingly.

This may not be in the Bryston plans, however, yet if it were and if it was within a year or so, it is something I am sure many of your current SP3 owners, at least, would be most interested in.

The SP3 I have is beginning to exhibit a few hiccups, have to reboot sometimes to find the HDMI boards, and may one day require a replacement.

My preference without even having to listen to the few competitive multichannel processors with mutichannel preinputs is certainly a prospective SP5!

Hopeful How

[Alphonse]

I would also like to see an SP5. My only regret with buying a used SP3 a few years ago is that I wish I would have bought one sooner. Sounds great on music and movies in a 3.0 system. My wish list for SP5 would be something modular or multiple versions. I no longer have any analogue sources or use physical discs any more. Just one streaming source now (Apple TV 4K). So, for my needs a stealth digital only 5-7 channel max version with 4 input 1 output HDMI board would work great. That is my two cents worth. Al

[Chewbacca 319]

I think the likelihood of an SP5 is pretty low at this point. You have to understand that compared to stereo amps/pre amps a surround sound processor is a lot more complex to develop ,engineer and overall costs are astronomical. You have to get licensing fees for all the modern codecs and features, develop or license some sort of room correction, custom software, etc.

I could be wrong but I just don't see bryston, or it's parent company having the tooling and resources to make something like this completely in house while being competitive in the segment. The only way I could see bryston bringing an SP5 to market is if they partnered with another brand, very similar to what bryston and storm audio did for the SP4 (essentially rebadging their processor in return helping storm develop power amps using their tech) but we all know how that ended.

When the original SP4 released it was $14,000 USD. Once you get into that price range the limited competition already kinda has everything locked down. Now with inflation a comparable product would be even more.

When you have pre-pros like the anthem AVM70 and AVM90 offering feature sets that 99% of people already won't even fully utilize at a third and half the price retrospectively I don't think there's enough money to be made at the end of the day for the few customers who would buy one.

Don't get me wrong I love my bryston gear, If an SP5 did come out I'd be ecstatic, I just don't see it happening, at least anytime soon.

[hipp]

That is very insightful and I completely agree with you.
I suppose that SP3 owners will generally then have to move away from Bryston if they want to upgrade or change the SP3 they own, and still retain multichannel audio, or even home theatre applications.
Not sure whether those consumer numbers would be significant to Bryston, probably not.
I agree then that they will currently maintain focus on 2 channel products.
Would be nice to read an “official “ response to the SP5 concept though.

[Alphonse]

I am inclined to agree Chewbacca. Maybe wishful thinking. James has mentioned possibly developing new hardware and working with a software company dedicated to the firmware. I was just wondering if a modular approach might work and be cost effective at different option/price points. For example start with a base processor unit, make analogue inputs an optional module, HDMI an optional module, all other digital inputs an optional module, streaming an optional module, then add balanced outputs with variable options (3, 5, 7, ? channels). A stealth version with HDMI and 3 channels of balanced outputs would work for me. Apple TV 4K to Processor via HDMI input, HDMI video pass through to 4K TV, 3 balanced outputs to 3 Bryston PowerPac 300 amps, to 3 LCR speakers of choice. Maybe build on that with other optional modules later. All of these new pre/pros now moving to 12+ channels are a major waste for me. Al

[hipp]

Alphonse, that would be astounding, but I don't think anything will come of this concept.

There are very few Multichannel Processors now available that have the Anologue Preamp 8 channel inputs.

Hopefully my SP3 lives on for a very long time!

[WGH]

The 8 channel Analogue Inputs have allowed me to play multichannel audio with a quality I cannot find when I play through HDMI or other digital inputs.

I heard a dramatic multichannel demo at the 2009 RMAF (although it may have been a year earlier or later). All the electronics, music and sound effects were custom made and as far as I know not available to the public. At the September 27, 2023 Apple Corps and Universal Music Group press event at the Dolby Theater in Manhattan they played a custom hi-res lossless Dolby Atmos multichannel mix of the remixed Beatles "Red" and "Blue" albums, those uncompressed mixes are also not available to the public.

Where do you find analog multichannel audio? How do you play the recordings? Stereophile's Kalman Rubinson had a long running "Music in the Round" column but it was focused on electronics and not music.


There is an abundance of surround music on Blu-ray. Once in a while I try listening to it using my Oppo Blu-ray player HDMI out into an Anthem AVM60 on my 7.1.4 stereo/home theater system, as you found out the results are sort of meh compared to a hi-res stereo recording and a high end DAC. The Anthem is excellent for movies and concerts where 90% of my minds attention is focused on the video and 10% on music. Turn off the video and the sound becomes just average. Just for fun I have tried the Anthem as a stand alone DAC and the sound is still average.

I would guess the Trinnov Altitude32 would have clearer HDMI sound than the Anthem, but at $26,750 it should. The Altitude32 also has 7.1 analog inputs.
https://www.trinnov.com/en/products/altitude32/#Description