[Laundrew]

Sovereign Director, $15,000. used $9,750.

If I had $15,000. i would buy an Audio Research REF 5 anyway...

I believe that Elizabeth makes a great point here. I looked at this under the same light when I purchased my X-05 over the BCD-1. Although the BCD-1 is a great performer, I opted for the Esoteric because I enjoyed its audio performance over the BCD-1. It would be unfair on my part to compare these two CDPs when the X-05 was almost 3 times the price of the BCD-1. As for the Audio Research REF 5, I have heard that it is quite a machine.

Be well…

[Viajero5000]

it does what it does and it does it well,but nothing about it overshines any other preamp in its price area.....

I think this requires a bit of comment.  The BP-26 is based on the “straight wire with gain” philosophy, with a presentation that shares the characteristics of Bryston’s other products (clarity, ‘colorlessness’, cleanliness and macro-dynamics).  I think what you’re trying to express is that a number of people want an active pre-amp to add additional characteristics to the presentation (greater ‘shading’, ‘body’, ‘bloom’, for example, apologies for the vague terms).  However, if you plug your CDP direct to the amp, and then compare how the sound changes with the BP26 in the chain versus others, chances are that the BP26 sounds closer to the directly plugged CDP - it may not necessarily be the most ‘enjoyable’ or 'easy' to listen to on less than perfect recordings, but it proves its “straight wire” design philosophy, which is exactly its point. 

[srb]

However, if you plug your CDP direct to the amp, and then compare how the sound changes with the BP26 in the chain versus others, chances are that the BP26 sounds closer to the directly plugged CDP - it may not necessarily be the most ‘enjoyable’ or 'easy' to listen to on less than perfect recordings, but it proves its “straight wire” design philosophy, which is exactly its point.

If that is truly the case, it would seem that a much less expensive passive "preamp" (a switcher and volume control) would suffice and a separate costly outboard power supply (MPS-2) is superfluous.
 
Steve

[Viajero5000]

If that is truly the case, it would seem that a much less expensive passive "preamp" (a switcher and volume control) would suffice and a separate costly outboard power supply (MPS-2) is superfluous.
 
Steve

Yes, but in a perfectly synergised system... in a less than perfect system, the BP-26 would provide you the benefits of an active pre (eg better dynamic range and contrast) with lower perceived coloration than most othe actives.

[VOLKS]

I think this requires a bit of comment.  The BP-26 is based on the “straight wire with gain” philosophy, with a presentation that shares the characteristics of Bryston’s other products (clarity, ‘colorlessness’, cleanliness and macro-dynamics).  I think what you’re trying to express is that a number of people want an active pre-amp to add additional characteristics to the presentation (greater ‘shading’, ‘body’, ‘bloom’, for example, apologies for the vague terms).  However, if you plug your CDP direct to the amp, and then compare how the sound changes with the BP26 in the chain versus others, chances are that the BP26 sounds closer to the directly plugged CDP - it may not necessarily be the most ‘enjoyable’ or 'easy' to listen to on less than perfect recordings, but it proves its “straight wire” design philosophy, which is exactly its point.

I agree 100% Viajero5000

[skunark]

I've been auditioning a few pre-amps in the 4-8k range and the biggest issue I have with the BP26 is how touchy the volume control is.  At home or at the dealer, the volume knob only needs to do a quarter turn before it too loud and at low volumes it sounds like the music has been hit by the loudness wars.   Maybe it's the unit?  Though, at the right volume, I feel the BP26 is a bargain for at least gear twice it's price assuming the only comparison factor is the sound.

[James Tanner]

I've been auditioning a few pre-amps in the 4-8k range and the biggest issue I have with the BP26 is how touchy the volume control is.  At home or at the dealer, the volume knob only needs to do a quarter turn before it too loud and at low volumes it sounds like the music has been hit by the loudness wars.   Maybe it's the unit?  Though, at the right volume, I feel the BP26 is a bargain for at least gear twice it's price assuming the only comparison factor is the sound.

Hi Shunark,

The BP26 has 12 dB of gain and Balanced XLR output adds another 6 dB and the 1 Volt setting on the power amp can add another 6.  So total gain can be excessive if that's your setup - especially if you have very efficent speakers.  We can reduce the gain in the BP-26 to 6dB if it is an issue or you can use the 2 or 4 volt setting on the amplifier to reduce overall system gain.

james

[werd]

Hi Shunark,

The BP26 has 12 dB of gain and Balanced XLR output adds another 6 dB and the 1 Volt setting on the power amp can add another 6.  So total gain can be excessive if that's your setup - especially if you have very efficent speakers.  We can reduce the gain in the BP-26 to 6dB if it is an issue or you can use the 2 or 4 volt setting on the amplifier to reduce overall system gain.

james

Hi

Your website says the gain is 16 or 22.5db? I always thought the gain was around 23db.
My bp25 sounded like it was.

[James Tanner]

Hi

Your website says the gain is 16 or 22.5db? I always thought the gain was around 23db.
My bp25 sounded like it was.

Hi Lorne,

That's the gain in the 2 versions of the Moving Coil Phono section if added.

james

[Fatcat]

I'm the original owner of a BP-25. It still serves admirably in my stereo set up. I haven't found a reason to change it out yet.
Pre-amp for life indeed!

Best....Carlo.

[BrysTony]

I want to replace my BP-26 with a BP-26+ that has a remote capable of changing the source and a HT pass-through.  Then it will be for life!

Tony

[skunark]

I want to replace my BP-26 with a BP-26+ that has a remote capable of changing the source and a HT pass-through.  Then it will be for life!

Tony

and with RS-232 port.  Maybe 3 balanced inputs as well.  

[skunark]

Hi Skunark,

The BP26 has 12 dB of gain and Balanced XLR output adds another 6 dB and the 1 Volt setting on the power amp can add another 6.  So total gain can be excessive if that's your setup - especially if you have very efficent speakers.  We can reduce the gain in the BP-26 to 6dB if it is an issue or you can use the 2 or 4 volt setting on the amplifier to reduce overall system gain.

james

Both at the dealer and my speakers had a sensitivity of 90db and we tried both the 23db and 28db settings on 7Bs and 4Bs.  The dealer I believed only used unbalanced interconnects where I had access to both.   Even with additional 6, where would the volume knob fall?  1/3 the way?  I would expect normal listening volumes to be closer to a 1/2 turn on the volume knob. 

Jim

[95Dyna]

I think this requires a bit of comment.  The BP-26 is based on the “straight wire with gain” philosophy, with a presentation that shares the characteristics of Bryston’s other products (clarity, ‘colorlessness’, cleanliness and macro-dynamics).  I think what you’re trying to express is that a number of people want an active pre-amp to add additional characteristics to the presentation (greater ‘shading’, ‘body’, ‘bloom’, for example, apologies for the vague terms).  However, if you plug your CDP direct to the amp, and then compare how the sound changes with the BP26 in the chain versus others, chances are that the BP26 sounds closer to the directly plugged CDP - it may not necessarily be the most ‘enjoyable’ or 'easy' to listen to on less than perfect recordings, but it proves its “straight wire” design philosophy, which is exactly its point.

Excellent point Viajero to which I would add if you buy your preamp to cover up low quality recordings with added , "bloom, shading, body" remember that those same charicteristics will be applied to your premium quality recordings thereby shortchanging you on the money you paid for them not to mention your listening enjoyment. So, pick your poison.  Mine is the BP26.