[62Truck]

Ha! Practicality never entered my mind, that's what I'm doing wrong.
I am happy to read the 4Bsst2 is breaking in nicely and glad you are enjoying the amp.

Hahaha!   

Joe, that isn't to say you always have to listen to that part of the conversation!  God knows I would love to throw practicality out the window and build a room around my system.....one day.

[tdinut]

Hahaha!   

Joe, that isn't to say you always have to listen to that part of the conversation!  God knows I would love to throw practicality out the window and build a room around my system.....one day.

My fingers and toes are crossed for you. 

[Elizabeth]

One other comment on the difference between a 4B-SST2 and a pair of 28B-SST2 is the Class A crossover to AB.
James mentioned all Bryston amps are set the same (percentage 0f total watts) bias from A to AB.. So the big 28's will be in class A to a larger wattage than a 4. Since they have a larger wattage all around.
(Personally I wonder if this large value in A is one of the reasons the magazines praise the 28s IMO it is the main reason i would want to buy a pair, besides the prestige...)

[tdinut]

One other comment on the difference between a 4B-SST2 and a pair of 28B-SST2 is the Class A crossover to AB.
James mentioned all Bryston amps are set the same bias from A to AB.. So the big 28's will be in class A to a larger wattage than a 4. Since they have a larger wattage all around.
(Personally I wonder if this large value in A is one of the reasons the magazines praise the 28s IMO it is the main reason i would want to buy a pair, besides the prestige...)

I believe more Class A is better and probably gives the big 28's a more tube-like character according to reviews and customer testimonials. I believe the 28BSST2's will go down in history as one (or two  ) of the 10 best amps of all times. Not just my words but friends who own them.
Joe

[62Truck]

One other comment on the difference between a 4B-SST2 and a pair of 28B-SST2 is the Class A crossover to AB.
James mentioned all Bryston amps are set the same bias from A to AB.. So the big 28's will be in class A to a larger wattage than a 4. Since they have a larger wattage all around.
(Personally I wonder if this large value in A is one of the reasons the magazines praise the 28s IMO it is the main reason i would want to buy a pair, besides the prestige...)

Elizabeth, great points!  I have read that the 7B's, while definitely being better than the 4B, may have a smaller gap between themselves and 4B when compared to the performance gap between the 28's and the 7's.  (I hope that makes sense)  And I feel this longer time spent in Class A may be one of the biggest reasons why.

[62Truck]

I believe more Class A is better and probably gives the big 28's a more tube-like character according to reviews and customer testimonials. I believe the 28BSST2's will go down in history as one (or two  ) of the 10 best amps of all times. Not just my words but friends who own them.
Joe

Joe, I agree.  Tube-like might not be what comes to mind to someone who heard Bryston a while back (so I've read), but I can certainly attest to the ease and silky-smooth characteristics the Bryston amp brings.

[tdinut]

Joe, I agree.  Tube-like might not be what comes to mind to someone who heard Bryston a while back (so I've read), but I can certainly attest to the ease and silky-smooth characteristics the Bryston amp brings.

Tube-like can be read with a little caution, but your description seems spot on when I think back to my listening session of the 4bsst2. 

Joe

[62Truck]

Tube-like can be read with a little caution, but your description seems spot on when I think back to my listening session of the 4bsst2. 

Joe

Joe, most definitely.  Just to clarify - I think you are right to say that the newer squared versions have some tube-like characteristics.  But they also are very SS flavored......contradicting ideas here, I know.....I think you're right to just say to read with little caution.   

[larevoj]

I have been wanting to upgrade the amplifier and auditioned a number of brands including Krell Evo 402 but it doesn't quite have Bryston's speed and attack though it sounds warm and smooth. I have limited space and powering only a pair of monitor speakers so I decided to keep the 4BSST2 and add in a tube line stage to have that little tube flavor into the mix.

I cannot be happier with my set up now. The Bryston 4BSST2 amplifier out performed in almost every category in my list of amplifiers and if ever Bryston plan to design and produce a Special Edition of 4BSST2 I will be first in the queue!!   

[tdinut]

I have been wanting to upgrade the amplifier and auditioned a number of brands including Krell Evo 402 but it doesn't quite have Bryston's speed and attack though it sounds warm and smooth. I have limited space and powering only a pair of monitor speakers so I decided to keep the 4BSST2 and add in a tube line stage to have that little tube flavor into the mix.

I cannot be happier with my set up now. The Bryston 4BSST2 amplifier out performed in almost every category in my list of amplifiers and if ever Bryston plan to design and produce a Special Edition of 4BSST2 I will be first in the queue!!   

Hi larevoj,
I think you mentioned it before but can't find what preamp you are using. Audio Research perhaps? What brand and model?
Thanks!
Joe

[tdinut]

larevoj,

Do you have the ARC Ref 5SE preamp?

Joe

[larevoj]

larevoj,

Do you have the ARC Ref 5SE preamp?

Joe

Hi Joe, that is correct.

Cheers!

[62Truck]

Hi Joe, that is correct.

Cheers!

Larevoj, how are you liking the tube in the mix?  Have you compared it to any Bryston pre's?

[larevoj]

Larevoj, how are you liking the tube in the mix?  Have you compared it to any Bryston pre's?

Here are my thoughts...

http://www.audioaficionado.org/sonus-faber/8405-what-power-makes-your-sonus-fabers-sing-6.html#post237297

[drummermitchell]

Larevoj,that's comparison is basically what I heard when I auditioned my 26 with the Ref 5 about a year ago.
I definitely could live when them both which I kept my 26(couldn't afford the 5 then).
I did pick up a Vac pre which I like very much,still have the 26.
Now that I have both SS+tubes I have a few more flavors,besides if either need a repair I have backup.
Been pondering the SP-3 as I have heard the pre in there is really good,perhaps the 26 might go up for sale and I'll
still have a superb SS pre+AVP ,(we'll see ).

[werd]

I think the 4Bsst/2 is an award winning product in general and not in just hifi terms but practicality and service also. Not only does it come with a 20 year warranty but it can used in different applifications. It can be adjusted for pro use or home use. In pro it has stage use for bass guitar amps and P.A.
It can be ordered with adjustable gain. It Comes with balanced in and RCA and its built like a tank.  But the best thing about it is the sound.  For around 4k it's not that expensive compared what you can pay or end up paying for to get all that functionality.

My 14B sounds better but it doesn't have the practicality like the 4b and it's twice the price which makes it out of reach and more dedicated use.

[larevoj]

I wish I had the budget and space to keep both!! 

My system is in a small room and recently I had to change my rack to make space for the BIT16. I definitely has no floor space for any mono amplifier at the moment let alone a spare preamplifier Occasionally I do miss the the BP26...hey, you never can know perhaps when Bryston release a new preamplifier

[spinner]

  How does the 14 really sound better than the 4b.?

[werd]

  How does the 14 really sound better than the 4b.?

Really ? 

[spinner]

 Let's try again. In what ways does the 14B sound (really any better) than a 4B. I'm of course referring to the sst squared models .