7BSST2 "The Red Headed Step Sister"

Markd51 · « **on:** 15 Jul 2015, 08:44 pm »

Not to start any battles, but I notice other Bryston Amps receive accolades, glowing reviews, comments galore about exemplary performance, but little in way written, commented, or reviewed in recent times about the Monos?

Ever since "Mikey's" wonderful review, has the 7B Monos become the red headed step sister of the lot, not worthy of praise, compliment, satisfaction?

Are there technical reasons for such, something deep inside such gear that has somehow negated such praise, and love?

Hopefully James, and you 7B folks will chime in to answer me wrong as such, and to disprove the naysayers.

James Tanner · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jul 2015, 09:14 pm »

Quote from: Markd51 on 15 Jul 2015, 08:44 pm

Not to start any battles, but I notice other Bryston Amps receive accolades, glowing reviews, comments galore about exemplary performance, but little in way written, commented, or reviewed in recent times about the Monos?

Ever since "Mikey's" wonderful review, has the 7B Monos become the red headed step sister of the lot, not worthy of praise, compliment, satisfaction?

Are there technical reasons for such, something deep inside such gear that has somehow negated such praise, and love?

Hopefully James, and you 7B folks will chime in to answer me wrong as such, and to disprove the naysayers.

I use 7B's in 2 of my 3 systems at home and at all our audio shows (and look at the accolades we get there!) - it is a terrific amplifier.

james

BrysTony · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jul 2015, 11:19 pm »

I have had my 7BSST²s for almost 5 years now and I have absolutely no urge to replace them. They are perfect as far as I am concerned and I highly recommend them.

Tony

drummermitchell · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Jul 2015, 11:27 pm »

I'm totally satisfied with my 7B-sst(center)and 7 sst-2 for surrounds,28's for da fronts.
Even my 4's were excellent.
Mikey do not read this or you will have nightmares

.

Markd51 · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 12:35 am »

Here's a pic of mine, fresh from the boxes!

This was march 2015.

Markd51 · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 12:45 am »

I did finally complete getting all my black vinyl dust covers from Digital Deck Covers, that all components in the rack have custom fitted covers so all stays dust free-clean.

I'll try getting off my lazy butt soon, and post some pics. Both covered and uncovered. System's looking and sounding great.

Very happy with the covers, were worth the cost IMO. They should have the sizes as well in their database for the 7BSST2's. Was easy, simply supply exact dimensions, they allot slight additional size, want open back flaps like I chose, no problem, and they have a assortment of materials. I chose the black vinyl thinking they would be the easiest to care for.

I'll try to post a few new pics soon folks.

Rod_S · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 01:00 pm »

James makes a good point. It's typically the monos he brings to shows and each show seems to make a very good impression on the people who hear the systems. Granted their is a caveat there as it's often exclusively Bryston gear in the setup so the amps aren't seen powering other manufacturers speakers as much.

I know I certainly look forward to when three 7's eventually make their way into my setup.

James Tanner · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 01:09 pm »

Quote from: Rod_S on 16 Jul 2015, 01:00 pm

James makes a good point. It's typically the monos he brings to shows and each show seems to make a very good impression on the people who hear the systems. Granted their is a caveat there as it's often exclusively Bryston gear in the setup so the amps aren't seen powering other manufacturers speakers as much.

I know I certainly look forward to when three 7's eventually make their way into my setup.

Hi Rod

Yes I really feel my mantra says it all - "the demo is everything". The point I am making is that at all these shows we take part in we typically get best sound at show or other accolades regarding value vs performance and using a complete Bryston system makes the point in spades I think.

The recent show in Munich proves my point. We used a complete Bryston system with 7B's and Mini T's and up against all the mega buck systems present at the show we got terrific feedback of the sound in our room - almost to disbelief!

In Vancouver at the recent May show we used 7B's and Middle T's and got "Best Sound at Show".

When you get right down to it the system either delivers or it does not. Forget the hyperbole ... if the system moves you emotionally the rest is just rhetoric.

james

Rod_S · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 01:19 pm »

Great post.

Markd51 · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 03:34 pm »

Sure some bea-utiful setups there James! Sure would like hearing those speakers, maybe one day?

I know you touched on the subject when we once spoke by phone, and as well, I have read many of your posts that Bryston as a company had wished to have all bases covered so to speak, from source components right to the speakers, and as well the cabling too.

That all in the system come together in a synergistic manner, that all components compliment one another, and not work against one another.

Truly one of the most important reasons that there can be variability within many audiophile's systems.
Thank you for posting James, and also for the great pics.
Mark

Markd51 · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 06:23 pm »

As promised, here's a few pics of the new Digital Deck Covers on my system in the Black Vinyl. The custom embossed Vinyl Cover on the VPI HW-19 Table was made-bought at an earlier time, and from another person.

Markd51 · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 06:39 pm »

And here's some pics with the covers off, a mix of vintage, semi-vintage, and new.

The VPI HW-19 has some custom Mods, a 1" thick Black Acrylic Plinth attached to the Steel Sub Chassis, SAMA, and VPI SDS on the lowest center shelf to control speed- and condition AC. AQ PT-9 Arm with ZYX Airy 3X SB zn Cartridge, Custom Machined Arm Base, and Platter Clamp, and it all rests upon an SRA Iso Base V3.0. Two CAL Digital Transports-DACS, Sutherland PhD Battery Powered Phono Stage beneath the VPI Table.

The Table, VPI SAMA, and SRA Iso Base was also extensively "Herbie-ized" with many sweet goodies from Herbie's Labs.

Two TEAC R2R Decks, 3340S, and 2340R. McIntosh MX-130 AV Pre/Tuner used only in 2-channel.

And of course the fresh Bryston 7bSST2 Monos on either side of the Mac Pre.

Note, the JBL 4430 Studio Monitors are now wearing the correct Factory JBL Blue Grillcloth. (Got rid of the custom silver grillcloth that was on there when I bought them 5 years ago.)
One day might think about some covers for them as well, I currently use custom fit plastic bags, which I have an entire box of, and serve their purpose for now.

All Cabling is a combo of Audioquest (Tonearm), Wireworld (Pre to Amps), and Straightwire.(Phono Stage to_Pre, and both Digital Front Ends)
Mark

James Tanner · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 06:47 pm »

Nice setup Mark -

james

Markd51 · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 07:03 pm »

Thank you James!

If some were maybe wondering what is to the left of my audio system, and covered under some white sheets, it's this, my Slingerland Barrett Deems Drumset. Yes, this set was one of Barrett's own sets, back in the 50's he was Louis Armstrong's Drummer.

This is a rare Endorser Set in the "Jazz Standard" White Marine Pearl as Barrett probably endorsed Slingerland for a good 30 or more years. He was also Gene Krupa's best friend, thus the GK-BD Insignia on the Bass Drum Reso Head, which he had made, not I. He was one of Gene's Paul Bearers in 1974 when Gene had passed away, and in 1980, the year this set was made, Barrett had Slingerland build this set when Barrett was playing lots of Krupa-Goodman tunes at the Elbo Room in Chicago.

I bought the set in 2001. It is like new.

Markd51 · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 07:09 pm »

BTW, the Bryston 7B Monos control the JBL 4430 Monitors with an Iron Fist! Took awhile for some break in for them to come around, but not a peep of buzz, hum, white noise, nada to be heard with ears to the bass drivers, or horn,

Turn the volume up to some pretty hefty DBs, and these speakers surely do rock! But detailed purity comes forth at lower levels just as well, just good all around, jazz, rock, classic, etc. The vinyl front end is extremely dead black CD like quiet, and very dynamic. and pure.

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 07:14 pm »

Nice set up! Love the reels and the table!! Sweet!

Markd51 · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Jul 2015, 09:08 pm »

Thank you! I had help with the Turntable, with the aid of a local master machinist. When I began to transform this VPI Jr Table which I bought new from Jim Davis-MusicDirect back in 1996, I was going to pick up the phone and call McMaster-Carr, and order a solid 1" sheet of Aluminum of the required size for the Inner Plinth.

Then have it machined, surface polished, or the surface machine turned, then off to Albuquerque to an Anodizer Plant and have it done in black. I instead went with the acrylic.

The machinist said he actually would've preferred working with Aluminum instead, cause as you machine the acrylic, it has the nasty propensity to stick to every machine in the shop, due to static electricity, and he said was murder to clean up.

Machinist said he got the spindle-pivot spec to within -+ .003" I believe him, the man is fanatical-exacting with his work.

mrhyfy · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jul 2015, 12:24 am »

Should we assume that Markd51 has a problem with "redheads"???

Markd51 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jul 2015, 01:19 am »

No Sir! LOL Christina was the main reason I watched every episode of Mad Men!

akapur · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jul 2015, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 16 Jul 2015, 01:09 pm

Hi Rod

Yes I really feel my mantra says it all - "the demo is everything". The point I am making is that at all these shows we take part in we typically get best sound at show or other accolades regarding value vs performance and using a complete Bryston system makes the point in spades I think.

The recent show in Munich proves my point. We used a complete Bryston system with 7B's and Mini T's and up against all the mega buck systems present at the show we got terrific feedback of the sound in our room - almost to disbelief!

When you get right down to it the system either delivers or it does not. Forget the hyperbole ... if the system moves you emotionally the rest is just rhetoric.

james

Hi James,

Quick question for you regarding the picture of the Mini T's from Munich...do you happen to know the manufacturer of the equipment rack they used? I am looking for something similar...

Thanks much!
Ari