[James Tanner]

Hi James

Silly nitpicking point (sorry). If you look at the top left of the cover photo it says July 2021. Still haven’t got my copy yet, so am going to have to phone the subscription dept.

Looks like a truly great review of this fantastic Pre/DAC/streamer. Pity they had to comment on its looks but I love it. Operating the BR-20 is still a bit of a PITA with my latest discovery being the balance control not working from remote (it does on main unit)!

Hi Clive

Ya that was my error - I assumed it was the June issue and it turned out to be the July.

I agree the looks are fine and what has to be emphasized is the performance is a function of circuit layout so 'form follows function'. Getting distortion and noise down to the levels we have requires very specific positioning of all components in the proper place.

Yes we noticed the balance control and new software will remedy that.

best
james

[Clive197]

Hi James
Thanks for the quick reply. When is the new software due?
Clive

[James Tanner]

Hi James
Thanks for the quick reply. When is the new software due?
Clive

We are just final testing it now so it should be in the next few weeks.

james

[Clive197]

Just received my copy of HiFi News July 2021. WOW, what a review of the BR-20, those distortion figures are numbers to behold. My question is simple, is this the very best Pre Amp?

[James Tanner]

Just received my copy of HiFi News July 2021. WOW, what a review of the BR-20, those distortion figures are numbers to behold. My question is simple, is this the very best Pre Amp?

Hi Clive - you mean the very best from Bryston or the very best in the industry?

I think it comes down to how many people feel measurements count and does that translate to musical accuracy.

james

[Clive197]

James
To clarify. I meant that I think that the BR-20 is the best I’ve ever heard. Yes the figures are truly great and you’re right it’s about how it sounds. I used to manage a HiFi store before retirement and have considerable experience with other manufacturers available here in the UK.

[James Tanner]

HI Clive

Yes I have always maintained there is a difference between "Production" and "Reproduction".

The purpose of our products are to 'Reproduce" the input only.

james

[lsolimine]

Hi and good morning, James.  Congratulations on all that is going on at Bryston and good luck with the Azione arrangement.  Will the new version of the software add the Home Theater Bypass capability?  Thank you and take care.

Lou

[James Tanner]

Hi and good morning, James.  Congratulations on all that is going on at Bryston and good luck with the Azione arrangement.  Will the new version of the software add the Home Theater Bypass capability?  Thank you and take care.

Lou

Hi Lou

Yes that is in the works.

james

[James Tanner]

Hi James,

“Here's something I'm really happy to see at Bryston -- a product that
not only represents quality and great performance, but a product that  pushes the envelope on performance.

Since those Cubed upgrades brought the distortion and noise down, and now this level of performance out of a combo preamp-DAC, it really puts Bryston in a top position.

James, the team decided a ‘Reviewers Choice’ was warranted, which we give to products that represent Exceptional  Value and/or State-of-the-Art performance. Probably both are valid here.”

https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/174

Doug,
Soundstage

[Clive197]

Hi James, tried the headphone output today for the 1st time. Sounded wonderful through my OPPO PM-1’s UNTIL I altered the volume and the speakers came back on song. Not ideal!!!

[James Tanner]

Hi James, tried the headphone output today for the 1st time. Sounded wonderful through my OPPO PM-1’s UNTIL I altered the volume and the speakers came back on song. Not ideal!!!

Hi Clive - yes thanks we are looking at that.

Email Adam as he may have a fix for that- atanner@bryston.com

james

[James Tanner]

Hi Clive - can you send me your email please.

james

jamestanner@bryston.com

[jbuzas]

How is Roon Ready progressing with the BR-20?  Any idea on when it will be certified?

[arloparanhos]

Received my BR-20 a week ago (#64).
Exceeded expectations.  Sound is AMAZING.  Worth the wait.  LOVE the double balanced ins and double balanced outs.  I expect the press accolades to keep pouring in.




Arlo

[James Tanner]

Thanks Arlo - what speakers?

james

[Chewbacca]

Thanks Arlo - what speakers?

james

Sonus Faber Stradivari. Heard them once with over $100k driving them. Wow... I was blown away.

[BSC]

It's been stated but as a happy owner of the BDA-3 Dac -an integrated version of this would really tempt me, as it is the UK price and a power amp to match puts it out of bounds.....

[James Tanner]

Conclusion:

After we have been able to play extensively with the Bryston BR-20 and listened to many hours of music with it, it is high time to make a judgment.

In terms of price, this BR-20 is definitely competitively positioned. The modular preamplifier is extremely complete and can be configured even more complete in the order process.

The BR-20 plays at a significantly higher level than our current configuration which consists of separate Bryston components and that is actually quite special.

We can only conclude that Bryston has launched a very nice preamplifier with this BR-20.

Maybe this is Bryston's best preamplifier ever. Brian Russell can be satisfied.


Dutch Link
https://hifi.nl/artikel/30137/Review-Bryston-BR-20-voorversterker.html

For those folks that want the full review in an English translation please email me
jamestanner@bryston.com

[James Tanner]

Hi Folks

Some shots from my IPAD using APPLE MUSIC on my BR-20.