[Juju-Xipho]

Dear Forum Members,

This is my first post here on Audio Circle.  I moved to the US earlier this year and desperately needing some advice on the way to proceed based upon my budget constraints.  Before for I moved here, I owned a much loved HiFi set-up consisting of a CD transport, Dac, Preamp, 2 monoblocks, processor, and power supplies all made by Cyrus Audio; A Mac Mini, 2 power conditioners, Kef Reference 205/2 speakers and Atlas cables.  Unfortunately for me, the difference in voltage from across the pond resulted in me having to sell all of my electronics for an absolute pittance; infact i got 25% of what I paid for them new .  The good news is that my much loved Kef's and cables made it over , however they are not much use without having the electronics to drive them.

Before moving here, I had had the pleasure of auditioning the Bryston 7B SST in my system on loan from a friend and they sounded great.  My local HiFi dealer here in NC does not take in trade-in items or have much Bryston on demo in the shop, but based on my last postive experience of demoing the 7B SSTs I decided that Bryston was the way to go.  I have never dabbled in the used market before, but needs must and recently I purchased a SP2 and looking to add some power to get my 2 channel set-up going once again.  The question is (after a long intro), what would you recommend for the power end of things considering my budget (I have $3000 left).  I have seen a couple of 7B ST's sold for less than $2500, a 4B SST2 for similar money,4B SST and ST for considerably less and 7B SST's for less than $3000.  Which in your opinion is the best way forward.  My speakers are very easy to drive, but I do value full transparency and clarity at low volume levels.

Any help in the right direction would be appreciated.

[SHV]

Among those options, a used 4BSST2 or 4BSST.  Allegedly, there was a significant upgrade from the ST series to the SST and less so from the SST to the SST2.

Steve

[Juju-Xipho]

My reference point are the 7B SST's, so how does the 4B SST or squared version compare to these?  I apologise if this seems a lame and uneducated question, but without having any demo facilities within a 200+ miles radius, I am running a little blind.  I have been without my hifi since February when I first arrived here and considering the limited supply of Used Bryston amps on the second hand market, I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible should one come up for sale.  Are there also any other reliable places to buy used bryston products from, as it appears in the US that dealers don't advertise used stuff on there websites?

[DaveNote]

I have owned the 4Bs of different varieties. And I have owned the 7BST, SST, and now the SST2. For me the most dramatic improvement has been the jump to the 7BSST2. It has managed, to my ears, to take the 7B series to a new level.

I hate using the word "musical" as it doesn't seem to say much. But the comparison I would make is kind of like the lingo used with headphones. The Sennheiser HD800 is very accurate and analytical. It digs out a lot of information from a recording. Great for audio pros, but accused by some reviewers, and me, as being too cold, too analytical. Respected but not much fun to listen to. I've had fun listening to all my Bryston amps, but some reviewers I recall criticized them for lacking something. I didn't really understand that until I got the 7BSST2. It, for me, is a whole other kind of Bryston amp.

I'm sorry that this is not very clear, but if I had a choice between the 7BSST and the squared version, I'd jump at the squared.

Dave

[Juju-Xipho]

If I hadn't lost so much on selling my previous hifi, I would have bought the 7B SST2 new.  From my $20'000 investments, I only managed to get the equivalent of $5000 even though it was all less that 2 years old (I made a series of upgrades over a 12 month period).  I have to make compromises somewhere considering my budget constraints, but don't want to make the wrong decision.

[BrysTony]

Have you been checking the audio resale websites such as Audiogon.com for used equipment.  There is a 4BSST² at $3250 that appears to be a good deal (It is not mine and I don't know anything about it).  Keep in mind that all the prices you see are negotiable and you should ask about the original sales receipt from an authorized dealer to assure that you get the transferable 20 year warranty.

Tony

[bjski]

I second Dave's recommendation. If you could afford the 7SST/2 go for it. The improvement is noticeable over the 4BSST/2. That said, the 4BSST/2 is a fine amp. I would spend the extra money for the improvement and get the squared series . Same outstanding bass along with smoother highs and a longer warrenty.
The 4BST is a fine amp also 4BSST (I owned 5).....go with what you can afford.....just my 2 cents.

[Juju-Xipho]

Thank you all for the feedback, looks like i have to continue to wait for the right amp to pop up onto the used market at the right price.

If anyone hears or sees anything suitable, please let me know.

Regards,
Scott

[sfraser]

Also try canuckaudiomart.com. It's Canadian, but because Bryston is local to Canada, there seems to be a lot of Bryston product available. There should be little or know issues with shipping and duty for bryston product between US/CA.

[Phil A]

Welcome.  Sometimes you can get lucky here or on Craigslist and find something that's right.  Buying used right makes lots of sense.  For example, I bought a used 3BST for the bedroom system from an ad here.  I may be moving in 18 months and not sure if it is something I'm going to take.  It's an easy and quick sale and probably not tons of downside between what I paid and what I'd get.