[robinje]

Hello.  This is my first post on this forum...   

I own no Bryston products (shame on me), but I am considering a BCD-1 and possibly a Bryston preamp, most likely a BP-6 or BP-26.  I run an external dedicated tube headphone amp from the tape outs on my existing preamp.  Does anyone here know if the tape out jacks are buffered in the Bryston preamps, or is it an electrically unaltered path from the source input jacks to the tape out jacks? 

Thanks!

[James Tanner]

Hi Robin,

Yes both the BP26 and the BP6 are buffered at the Tape Out.

james

[Viajero5000]

are there any reviews available at all for the bp6? curious to know how it stacks up against its well-reviewed big brother.

[robinje]

are there any reviews available at all for the bp6? curious to know how it stacks up against its well-reviewed big brother.

I'd like to know this, too.  The BP-6 is far less expensive, but doesn't have XLR ins/outs, no phase switching, no external power supply, and less inputs.  Otherwise, I think I read that the gain circuits are the same.  I don't need the balanced connections because I use shielded cables and all my components are close together (i.e. no long cable runs).  Phase switching isn't something I want or need.  I am curious, however, on the impact of the external power supply on the sound quality of the BP-26 versus the internal power supply of the BP-6.  If the sound quality is pretty much identical between these units, I see no reason to spend the extra $$$ for all the additional functionality of the BP-26 for my needs. 

[James Tanner]

Hi,

Yes the BP6 is a scaled down version of the BP26 and has exactly the same gain stages as the BP26.

The BP26 with the external power supply has a bit better noise floor but if the you do not need the features of BP26 then the BP6 is very close in performance. The BP26 has a bit more control in the bottom end and a slightly more expansive and delineated soundstage.

james

[vegasdave]

James, as an owner of the BP-6, thank you for your words.

The BP6 is really a great preamp! I'm very content with mine.

[robinje]

Hi,

Yes the BP6 is a scaled down version of the BP26 and has exactly the same gain stages as the BP26.

The BP26 with the external power supply has a bit better noise floor but if the you do not need the features of BP26 then the BP6 is very close in performance. The BP26 has a bit more control in the bottom end and a slightly more expansive and delineated soundstage.

james

Thanks, James!  If I understand correctly, the BCD-1 CD player remote control can also control the volume on the BP6.  That would save on having to purchase the BP6 remote control separately if I also buy the BCD-1.  Is this correct? 

With the preamp tape outputs being buffered, does that mean that the various incoming source signals get converted to a low impedance signal that would then go out through the tape output jacks to my external headphone amp?  I want to feed my headphone amp with as pristine a signal as possible, and I am curious as to what effects the presence of the buffer would have versus hooking up sources directly to the headphone amp (i.e. with no preamp in the signal chain).  Could you please explain what the buffer does and what effect it may have on sound quality?  Sorry, but I'm not really up to speed on buffers and what they do.   

[James Tanner]

Hi,

Yes the BP6 is a scaled down version of the BP26 and has exactly the same gain stages as the BP26.

The BP26 with the external power supply has a bit better noise floor but if the you do not need the features of BP26 then the BP6 is very close in performance. The BP26 has a bit more control in the bottom end and a slightly more expansive and delineated soundstage.

james

Thanks, James!  If I understand correctly, the BCD-1 CD player remote control can also control the volume on the BP6.  That would save on having to purchase the BP6 remote control separately if I also buy the BCD-1.  Is this correct? 

With the preamp tape outputs being buffered, does that mean that the various incoming source signals get converted to a low impedance signal that would then go out through the tape output jacks to my external headphone amp?  I want to feed my headphone amp with as pristine a signal as possible, and I am curious as to what effects the presence of the buffer would have versus hooking up sources directly to the headphone amp (i.e. with no preamp in the signal chain).  Could you please explain what the buffer does and what effect it may have on sound quality?  Sorry, but I'm not really up to speed on buffers and what they do.   

Hi Robin,

Correct-- the CD Player remote will operate the BP6. 
I will get a more technical answer for you on your buffer question.

james

[James Tanner]

Hi,

Yes the BP6 is a scaled down version of the BP26 and has exactly the same gain stages as the BP26.

The BP26 with the external power supply has a bit better noise floor but if the you do not need the features of BP26 then the BP6 is very close in performance. The BP26 has a bit more control in the bottom end and a slightly more expansive and delineated soundstage.

james

Thanks, James!  If I understand correctly, the BCD-1 CD player remote control can also control the volume on the BP6.  That would save on having to purchase the BP6 remote control separately if I also buy the BCD-1.  Is this correct? 

With the preamp tape outputs being buffered, does that mean that the various incoming source signals get converted to a low impedance signal that would then go out through the tape output jacks to my external headphone amp?  I want to feed my headphone amp with as pristine a signal as possible, and I am curious as to what effects the presence of the buffer would have versus hooking up sources directly to the headphone amp (i.e. with no preamp in the signal chain).  Could you please explain what the buffer does and what effect it may have on sound quality?  Sorry, but I'm not really up to speed on buffers and what they do.   

Hi Robin,

Correct-- the CD Player remote will operate the BP6. 
I will get a more technical answer for you on your buffer question.

james

Hi James;

The buffers in the BP-6 or BP-26 preamps are there to reduce distortion.  They do this by preamplifiying the signal before the (low impedance) volume control, and reducing the amount of amplification necessary in the line drive stage. 

They will have no audible effect on the Tape Out signal, but if the customer wishes a preamp with an unbuffered Tape Out, this modification can be done.

cwr