Bryston 28BSST-2 or 7BSST-2 with Conrad-Johnson ET5/GAT preamps ? ...

tdinut · « **on:** 29 Nov 2011, 09:41 pm »

Hi,

Just wondering how well these amps and pre-amps go together? The output impedance of the conrad johnson preamps is 100 ohms for the ET5 and under 100 for the GAT. Would there be any issues I should be concerned about? Thanks for the guidance and help.

Joe

rayooo · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 09:57 pm »

no problem whatsoever!

I have driven several SS amps with ET-5, that newer FET output stage on the CJ's works fine with virtually anything you can throw at it. 50k input impedance on the Bryston's, no sweat. ET-5 is by far the best sounding preamp I've ever owned.

tdinut · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 10:18 pm »

Quote from: rayooo on 29 Nov 2011, 09:57 pm

no problem whatsoever!

I have driven several SS amps with ET-5, that newer FET output stage on the CJ's works fine with virtually anything you can throw at it. 50k input impedance on the Bryston's, no sweat. ET-5 is by far the best sounding preamp I've ever owned.

I have to agree, yet the GAT still calls my name. Maybe the amps first then the GAT if necessary. Thanks for the input

Anyone using CJ pre-amps with Bryston?

rayooo · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Nov 2011, 11:02 pm »

oh yea, even though I'm thrilled with the ET-5, It would just be fantastic to own a flagship GAT!!!

if you have not yet, have a look over at Audioaficionado, good groups of Bryston and CJ folks there.

VOLKS · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 01:10 am »

Hi Joe.............i have a buddy that has the Bryston 14BSST2 paired with a CJ ET3 Preamp and it produces some of the sweetest passages in the music i have ever heard.......i would imagine the 28's or 7's would be just as good..He also uses the Bryston BCD-1 CD player......all in all a beautiful sounding combo.

tdinut · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 01:45 am »

Hi Michael,

I am torn between upgrading to the GAT or Getting the Brystons. What a choice!

Joe

JfTM · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 01:56 am »

Quote from: tdinut on 30 Nov 2011, 01:45 am

Hi Michael,

I am torn between upgrading to the GAT or Getting the Brystons. What a choice!

Joe

I build on a sonic style; what sound do you like? The most variation (IMO) is in speakers. I'd choose there first. Then fill to meet their needs

My experience with Bryston is that their gear adds as little as possible to the sound. Don't look to Bryston to sweeten the mids, boost the lows, or any such like.

VOLKS · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:00 am »

Quote from: tdinut on 30 Nov 2011, 01:45 am

Hi Michael,

I am torn between upgrading to the GAT or Getting the Brystons. What a choice!

Joe

Wow............. either way you will have an amazing system indeed!!.....

tdinut · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:17 am »

Quote from: JfTM on 30 Nov 2011, 01:56 am

I build on a sonic style; what sound do you like? The most variation (IMO) is in speakers. I'd choose there first. Then fill to meet their needs

My experience with Bryston is that their gear adds as little as possible to the sound. Don't look to Bryston to sweeten the mids, boost the lows, or any such like.

Hi JfTM,

I have Nola Micros like my avatar and Klipsch Cornwall III's. I like a sweeter/warmer sound and hope the Conrad Johnson sound comes through Brystons. I can't get to hear any Brystons locally but people who's ears I trust, love the Brystons with a tube preamp and I am hoping for the same.

Joe

werd · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:30 am »

Hi

You might want to consider the gain on your pre amps also. I see the Cj's at 25db which is higher. It will be loud thats for sure. If you want loud looks good but if you want it more casual laid back you will probably be switching the bryston amps to 2v lower gain setting.

tdinut · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 02:34 am »

Quote from: werd on 30 Nov 2011, 02:30 am

Hi

You might want to consider the gain on your pre amps also. I see the Cj's at 25db which is higher. It will be loud thats for sure. If you want loud looks good but if you want it more casual laid back you will probably be switching the bryston amps to 2v lower gain setting.

That should not be a problem, correct?

werd · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 03:06 am »

Quote from: tdinut on 30 Nov 2011, 02:34 am

That should not be a problem, correct?

np at all

OgOgilby · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 04:19 am »

Joe,

I'm going to have a CJ preamp and Bryston amp setup, but not quite the ones you are asking about. I have the CJ Premier 18LS (solid state, 22db gain) and today I put in an order for a 14B-SST2. I'm looking forward to hearing how the combo works.

Werd,

Does the Bryston amp gain switch work with the single ended connections that CJ's use? I thought I read somewhere that the gain switch was only for the amps balanced inputs.

-Greg

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 04:38 am »

Quote from: OgOgilby on 30 Nov 2011, 04:19 am

Joe,

Does the Bryston amp gain switch work with the single ended connections that CJ's use? I thought I read somewhere that the gain switch was only for the amps balanced inputs.

-Greg

Hi : My previous and current preamps were/are Manleys, both with only single-ended outs and the gain switches on my Bryston 7BSST2 work just fine in that configuration. No worries!

D.D.

tdinut · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 05:34 am »

Quote from: OgOgilby on 30 Nov 2011, 04:19 am

Joe,

I'm going to have a CJ preamp and Bryston amp setup, but not quite the ones you are asking about. I have the CJ Premier 18LS (solid state, 22db gain) and today I put in an order for a 14B-SST2. I'm looking forward to hearing how the combo works.

-Greg

Hi Greg,

Great! Please keep us posted on how the combo sounds. I am sure the amps will need some break in even though they are stressed at the factory. I am really interested in your findings with that combo. How long until everything comes together?

Joe

tdinut · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 05:41 am »

Quote from: Diamond Dog on 30 Nov 2011, 04:38 am

Hi : My previous and current preamps were/are Manleys, both with only single-ended outs and the gain switches on my Bryston 7BSST2 work just fine in that configuration. No worries!

D.D.

Hi D.D.,

Cool! I have a pair of Manley Neo 250's (purchased on a whim) that I don't want to press into service because of the heat, 20 output tubes and 4(?) input tubes. My bedroom is my listening room, so the Manley 250's would be too much, that's one reason I want the Brystons. Another reason is all the buzz that's going around about these babies.

Joe

OgOgilby · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 09:45 am »

Quote from: Diamond Dog on 30 Nov 2011, 04:38 am

Hi : My previous and current preamps were/are Manleys, both with only single-ended outs and the gain switches on my Bryston 7BSST2 work just fine in that configuration. No worries!

D.D.

Thanks D.D., that's great to know!

-Greg

OgOgilby · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 10:03 am »

Quote from: tdinut on 30 Nov 2011, 05:34 am

Hi Greg,

Great! Please keep us posted on how the combo sounds. I am sure the amps will need some break in even though they are stressed at the factory. I am really interested in your findings with that combo. How long until everything comes together?

Joe

Hi Joe,

I'll post my findings once the amp has settled into my system.

As far as to when things will come together - the amp is shipping Thursday (Dec 1st), so I'm not sure. I'd love it if the amp arrived before the weekend, but it is looking like next week.

-Greg

tdinut · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Nov 2011, 09:20 pm »

Quote from: OgOgilby on 30 Nov 2011, 10:03 am

Hi Joe,

I'll post my findings once the amp has settled into my system.

As far as to when things will come together - the amp is shipping Thursday (Dec 1st), so I'm not sure. I'd love it if the amp arrived before the weekend, but it is looking like next week.

-Greg

Excellent Greg!

Congrats on the purchase. The waiting is the hardest part. I am excited for you.

Joe

larevoj · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Dec 2011, 04:48 am »

Guys, I have read about CJ many times and really love what I read but just no opportunities to have a listen especially if you manage to compare CJ with equivalent ARC. Both CJ and ARC works well with Bryston amplifiers and IMHO both excels sonically but differs in character catering to different customer base.

Please keep us posted!