[JJF]

Hello,
Has anybody compared a 4BSST  (or any other Bryston amp)  with the Electrocompaniet AW250?  I am trying to choose between them and I cant make my mind up.

[MBACINELLO]

Used to have the AW250, but i bought it used and it kept blowing fuses for some reason, so i sold it and bought the Bryston 7b st monoblocks, im sorry to say that except foe the bass i prefered the Electrocompaniet in every way..., instruments had a greater sense of timber and a more solid tube lke presentation. The brystons by comparison are sterile sounding, but with very solid bass.  my speakers were Proac Response 3's

I remember reading a review of the aw 220, when bridged with an upgraded power chord they came very close to the sound quality of the Nemo monoblocks!!!

Assuming you dont end up with the quality issues i has id say electrocompaniet is the way to go, and the aw220's might indeed sound better than the aw250, unless you really need the power.

[KJ]

JJF,

What type of sound do you prefer?  Also, what downstream components are you using?  I haven't directly compared the two, but it might be easier for others to offer opinions if we know more about your setup and preferences.

The brystons by comparison are sterile sounding.

One of Bryston's better known traits is a non-colored presentation.  The warmth (or lack thereof) will be dependent on the synergy of your entire system.

-KJ

[doug s.]

not familiar w/the bryston gear, but i am fond of the ec stuff.  i used to run a pair of aw60ftt's in a wertically bi-amped configuration.  i sold them to experiment w/tubes, & never looked back.  but, that's cuz i found an older aw75dmb, which matched the one i had perfectly, so i could still have a matching pair of ec amps!     these do subwoofer duty only now, but they're as good as it gets w/solid state, imo.  of course, i haven't heard the latest iteration of digital or chip amps...  and, i confess to not being the world's authority on spendy s/s gear...

doug s.

[JJF]

thanks for the replies.  Great  circle,  EC forum was a dead wood, so to speak (when it existed, it is not active at this moment)

KJ, to answer your question - the front end is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP MKII CD player, pre is the Bent Audio passive, speakers are B&W Matrix 804.

In the meantime I did some digging and discovered that some people do not recommend  pairing the 4BSST  with the Matrix speakers because of the revealing (some call it bright) character of the Bryston.  Matrix speakers are on the bright side (at least according to my wife).

Any suggestions, please ?

Greetings,

JJ

[KJ]

KJ, to answer your question - the front end is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP MKII CD player, pre is the Bent Audio passive, speakers are B&W Matrix 804.

In the meantime I did some digging and discovered that some people do not recommend pairing the 4BSST with the Matrix speakers because of the revealing (some call it bright) character of the Bryston. Matrix speakers are on the bright side (at least according to my wife).

I currently run a 3B-ST w/ Matrix 805s (soon to be replaced) and don't feel it is overly bright.  However, I haven't had much direct comparison in my own room.  I did notice a significant difference in detail and forwardness when changing interconnects.  I'll compare the brightness when my new setup is in place.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Bent.  I would assume that Electrocompaniet's components interact well together.  Whether or not that sound is to your liking is up to you.  Any chance you can demo either?

-KJ

[dan_lo]

I heard the EC 220 with Proacs, and liked it very much. In fact  - I almost bought this configuration, but eventually I took the Bryston/PMC route and I don't regret it .
I think that the difference in the sound is "musical" ( to my ears - actually euphonic colorations ) vs. "correct".
I found the EC to be more refined, but the Brystons more real. If you need excellent bass - then there is no contest.
About your comment - I don't find the Brystons bright at all. Many speakers are bright though.

The most important thing is that since this field is entirely subjective.  Our ears are not DSP cards. They are certainly not linear devices, and they are different from one person to the next.  Add to that the fact that we all have different tastes - and you realize that you'll have to listen for yourself.

[GordonJ]

I haven't compared Bryston to E/C but FWIW, I am using a 3B SST with the Bent NOH, and the combination works very well indeed - superbly detailed, dynamic and neutral.  Just pushes all the music through to the speakers.  Like others have said, a lot depends on personal preferences.

Cheers

Gordon

[JJF]

I guess, the only way to learn is to audition both amps.   I managed to find a 3BSST and an EC AW250 to listen to ,  however at different dealers and in different setups.  No way to find a 4BSST - it is not easy to find the stuff where I live (Madrid, Spain).   Thanks for all the replies, very informative .

[KJ]

JJF,

The 3BSST should provide plenty of power for Matrix 804s and give you an idea of how a 4BSST would sound.  I'd see if the dealers will let you take each unit home to determine how well it interacts with your system.

-KJ