[RonCH]

I have just bought some PMC PB1i speakers, to plug into my Bryston 7B SST amps.  My question is what preamp should I buy?  I have one very important restriction: the pre-amp must have HT bypass functionality.  This means that the BP26 is out of the picture.  What are some good alternatives for around the same price as the BP26?  Basically I'm looking for a software controlled BP26 - any recommendations? 

Should I consider the BP16? How far away is the sound quality of the BP16 from the BP26? 

[James Tanner]

Hi Ron,

The BP16 has the same sound quality (same gain stage) as the BP26 - just does not have balanced in and out. But it is software controlled and has full remote control available.

james

[RonCH]

Thanks very much for your answer. I'm surprised, I thought they where very different amps.  That's really good to know.

Can you hear a difference in side by side tests?

[sberaha]

Hello James,

I'm surprised to read that the BP-16 has the same sound quality as the BP-26, after having read so much about the improvements made in the BP-26 versus the BP-25.  Does the BP-16 have a power supply equivalent to the MPS-2?  I've been on the verge of upgrading from my BP-25 to a BP-26 for some time now, and have received helpful input from you and Brian, but would love the additional remote control functionality of the BP-16 if it could be had with literally the same sound quality as the lauded BP-26.

Thanks in advance,
Stuart

[James Tanner]

Hi Stuart,

Bryston's philosophy from day one has always been to build the best that a given technology would allow.  So there was never a 'better-best' approach.  For example our amplifiers have identical quality design, parts and build - just the size of the power supplies and the output circuit's change relative to the power rating required.  I think the best analogy I can give you is think of it like buying an engine for a car.  It can be a 4 -6 or 8 cylinder but the quality of those engines is identical.  Just depends on how fast you want to go, how much the car weighs, how many seats etc.

So on the preamps we have identical gain stages but the features -- such as number of inputs and balanced ins and outs, remote control etc. are distinctive to each model.  The BP16 is a relatively new design so we implemented some features into it -EX:  full remote control and ability to have both Phono and DAC internal as options, HT Bypass, software driven  etc. not available on the BP25/26 designs. The amplification circuits were identical to our Class A discrete circuits that we have used and refined in all our preamps for many years now.

So from the customer's perspective the choice becomes one of 'application' not 'performance.'

james

[sberaha]

Hi James,

Thanks for the quick response!  I don't want to belabor this point, but I understand that the MPS-2 power supply yields a significant improvement in the sound quality of the BP-26 (or, for that matter, the BP-25).  Therefore, even though the gain stage of the BP-16 is the same as that of the BP-26, I would imagine that the best sound quality is still produced by the BP-26, unless the BP-16's power supply is equivalent to the MPS-2.  (Sorry if I am going around in circles on this -- if the foregoing is not correct, it seems there really isn't much reason to upgrade from the BP-25 to the BP-26, since, as I understand it, the main difference between the two models is the power supply, and some circuit changes to take advantage of the better power supply.) Does this like a fair characterization of the situation?

Best,
Stuart

[James Tanner]

Hi Stuart,

Yes the BP26 power supply will sonically improve the BP25 but with quality products at this level of performance it is evolutionary not revolutionary.  I also think that people use the BP26 differently than the BP16.  Most will utilize the BP26 in the balanced mode and that alone will improve the signal to noise ratio and therefore some will prefer the sound ofthe BP26 to the BP16.

james

[sberaha]

Thanks again, James.

[95Dyna]

Hi Stuart,

Bryston's philosophy from day one has always been to build the best that a given technology would allow.  So there was never a 'better-best' approach.  For example our amplifiers have identical quality design, parts and build - just the size of the power supplies and the output circuit's change relative to the power rating required.  I think the best analogy I can give you is think of it like buying an engine for a car.  It can be a 4 -6 or 8 cylinder but the quality of those engines is identical.  Just depends on how fast you want to go, how much the car weighs, how many seats etc.

So on the preamps we have identical gain stages but the features -- such as number of inputs and balanced ins and outs, remote control etc. are distinctive to each model.  The BP16 is a relatively new design so we implemented some features into it -EX:  full remote control and ability to have both Phono and DAC internal as options, HT Bypass, software driven  etc. not available on the BP25/26 designs. The amplification circuits were identical to our Class A discrete circuits that we have used and refined in all our preamps for many years now.

So from the customer's perspective the choice becomes one of 'application' not 'performance.'

james

Hi James,

I'm confused on the remote issue as it relates to these two preamps.  I just ordered and received a new BP26P and it came witha BR2 remote which is a very nice remote but most of its features control the BCD-1 and BDA-1 with only the volume and mute usable with the BP26.  Why wouldn't a full function remote similar to the one included with the BP16 be included or available as an option with the BP26 so input selections etc. can be made remotely as well?  Also, I thought the BR2 was the oinly remote available from Bryston now and was a $350.00 option on all products except the BCD-1 where it is included.

Bill

[James Tanner]

Hi Bill,

The BP16 comes now with the optional BR2 remote you have. There is now only 'ONE' remote available from Bryston (except the SP2) which is the BR2.  It is just a lot more cost effective to only build 1 remote and that is why we were able to lower the cost from $500 to $350.

The remote is included with the CD Player as we felt that a remote is a 'must have' with a CD Player.

james

[95Dyna]

I have just bought some PMC PB1i speakers, to plug into my Bryston 7B SST amps.  My question is what preamp should I buy?  I have one very important restriction: the pre-amp must have HT bypass functionality.  This means that the BP26 is out of the picture.  What are some good alternatives for around the same price as the BP26?  Basically I'm looking for a software controlled BP26 - any recommendations? 

Should I consider the BP16? How far away is the sound quality of the BP16 from the BP26?

Hi Ron,

If you can't find a Bryston product to fit your home theatre bypass and balanced connection requirements the Cary SLP 03 is a worthy consideration at $3K if you don't mind a couple tubes in the output stage.  Go to the link below for detailed info.

http://www.caryaudio.com/products/classic/SLP03.html

Regards,

Bill