Used Bryston opportunity

projectaspen · « **on:** 9 Aug 2016, 09:10 pm »

Hi all,

I can get a Bryston 4BSST at a good price, but it seems that the top plate screws are all very rusty.

The seller (a store) says that it's fully working with no noises, but I will use it in a monitoring setup and I'm worried about distortion.

If I get it, my plan is to remove the screws (which are very tight from what I gathered), remove rust, paint them and screw them again.

What I'm worried about is possible rust on the inside. I probably won't be able to see the inside until I buy the amp, I doubt the seller even has the tools to remove the screws (Robertson no2?)

So should I worry about possible internal damage and distortion or should I go for it? About 40% discount from regular used price.

Armaegis · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Aug 2016, 10:57 pm »

I think it's unlikely that you will find much rust inside unless you live in a very humid climate. Can you bring your own speakers to test them out?

unincognito · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Aug 2016, 12:34 am »

You may wish to follow up with Mike Pickett at Bryston but I believe the finish on the screws from that generation were prone to rusting and since before I started working at Bryston have used screws with a different finish that do not rust.

Cheers
Chris

techguy0192 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Aug 2016, 12:57 am »

Quote from: projectaspen on 9 Aug 2016, 09:10 pm

About 40% discount from regular used price.

Wow...what are you waiting for?! That's a great deal. There is probably nothing wrong other than a few screws that need a new coat of paint. I'd buy it in a heart beat.

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Aug 2016, 12:51 pm »

Go for it! I used to own a 4B2. Best-value amp on the market at full retail.

I imagine 4B is not far off in SQ.

amblin · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Aug 2016, 08:39 pm »

You may want to ask the seller to open it up and check the inside for excessive oxidation or damage/ repairs before you pull the trigger.

Heavy rust on screws usually indicate that it's not been used for a long time and a rather poor , humid storage condition. Electronics HATE both things. Or worst , possible fluid damage.

Bryston gears usually maintain rather stable price in used market, especially their power amps, so if the seller is asking unusual, very low price, something might be fishy here.

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Aug 2016, 09:50 pm »

Quote from: amblin on 10 Aug 2016, 08:39 pm

You may want to ask the seller to open it up and check the inside for excessive oxidation or damage/ repairs before you pull the trigger.

Heavy rust on screws usually indicate that it's not been used for a long time and a rather poor , humid storage condition. Electronics HATE both things. Or worst , possible fluid damage.

Bryston gears usually maintain rather stable price in used market, especially their power amps, so if the seller is asking unusual, very low price, something might be fishy here.

Valid points about the usage time.

A 40% reduction is not unusual depending on what warranty remains. I just sold my mint B100 for $1700 CAD, p 15 yrs warranty left.

projectaspen · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 03:25 am »

I had decided to pass on it, but your comments have cheered me up towards buying it...

The amp is in Rio de Janeiro, I'm from Brazil, so it was on a humid setting probably. Can't test it as I'm in Sao Paulo. Also, it hasn't been used for a long time, and I would be buying it from a retailer, actually distributor of some high end brands (not Bryston though). I could remove the screws and paint them, but I'm worried the humid climate might have gone inside the amp and messed some things. I had problems buying used already (plenty).

The seller claims it is fine, but who knows, it's actually dirty cheap, the last I saw locally went for about 80% higher (this one is for about 1250 U$, last I saw was 2100 U$).. Seller claims he got it as a trade in and just want to see some cash on what he got it for.

BTW, there is no warranty on this and the rust is real, I mean, it's actual red all over most of the top screws.

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 12:20 pm »

Good thing the reseller was at least forthright about the "peripheral details" of his amp. Trade-ins, if that's the case here, are usually good at getting my intracranial spidey-senses tingling.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 12:41 pm »

Some questions to ask the seller:
When this amp was made(year) (serial nº)?
Its first owner?
It was used in pro-audio or home audio?
It already was opened?
It already was been repaired?
Why the low price?

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 03:07 pm »

^ I think he's already made his decision to pass on it.

amblin · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 05:57 pm »

If you want to buy your gears 2nd hand , a good idea would be to look for something from the Japanese market (100/110v)

From my experience almost all their stuff were in spotless condition, even for things over 30-40 years old.

projectaspen · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: CanadianMaestro on 11 Aug 2016, 03:07 pm

^ I think he's already made his decision to pass on it.

I might go for it...

Sell a Parasound for a little less and keep the Bryston...

Here is a photo of one of the rusty screws. Most of the top cover are like this

amblin · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 07:07 pm »

Better than I thought, it's a weird screw type but should be easily available.

Ask the seller to open it up so you can visually inspect the innards.

Armaegis · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 08:04 pm »

That's really not so bad as far as rust is concerned.

Quote from: amblin on 11 Aug 2016, 07:07 pm

it's a weird screw type but should be easily available.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Robertson

Very popular in Canada. I grew up calling them simply wood screws. It's very handy being able to hold the screw on the bit without needing an extra hand.

projectaspen · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 08:28 pm »

I thought the rust was bad, like even the chassis might be a little rusted on the borders of the screws... But I'll try to remove all of it and make it look good.

Decided to go for the amp, will try to squeeze the price a little. Can't see inside photos, dealer said he doesn't have the Robertson tip and I understood since it's hard to find it over here... Luckily I found a local retailer that carries it so might not be a problem.

Well, let's see how it goes, if anyone has a final word of caution, feel free to shoot

Grit · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 09:32 pm »

Quote from: projectaspen on 11 Aug 2016, 06:23 pm

I might go for it...

Sell a Parasound for a little less and keep the Bryston...

Here is a photo of one of the rusty screws. Most of the top cover are like this

It looks like the rust is isolated to the screws alone, so I'd not worry about it myself.

amblin · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Aug 2016, 11:44 pm »

Quote from: Armaegis on 11 Aug 2016, 08:04 pm

That's really not so bad as far as rust is concerned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screw_drives#Robertson

Very popular in Canada. I grew up calling them simply wood screws. It's very handy being able to hold the screw on the bit without needing an extra hand.

Ahh, so they're actually called wood screws? Now I finally understand why there's always a square tip on the wood saw of many multi tools...

jtinto · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Aug 2016, 01:31 am »

Actually a Canadian invention, called the Robertson screw.

Armaegis · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Aug 2016, 02:37 am »

Quote from: amblin on 11 Aug 2016, 11:44 pm

Ahh, so they're actually called wood screws? Now I finally understand why there's always a square tip on the wood saw of many multi tools...

I don't think they're officially called that, but they're commonly used for that here. The Robertson head allows you to load a screw quite securely onto the screwdriver; you can even hold it a couple degrees down from horizontally and not have it fall out.