An observation for those considering the BP-19. I've had mine for over a year, accompanied by what is essentially a full Bryston system of phono preamp, BDA3, BDP3, T10 speakers used in active mode, a BAX1, (2) 4B3 and (2) 7B3. I use the system almost every day.
When I first received the BP19, I wondered if it was fairly good but perhaps not comparable to the best I've heard. Over the past year I've set out to optimize the listening experience with the system, some related to what the speakers stand on, but much more time (and cost) on cable choices. This has been an interesting journey, as my local "listening panel" can attest (only consists of two people, don't read too much into it).
I'm primarily interested in how the experience of the audio system (and room, you can never forget the room, it's the last part of the reproduction chain) reminds of the experience of hearing live music, particularly acoustic instruments in a good performance space).
Here's what I've been reminded of. There are many, many audio cables sold today that, to varying degrees, "push" or emphasize the upper mids and lower highs, giving an impression of enhanced detail, snap and better clarity. In a system that is voiced on the warm side, or in a situation where room bass emphasis masks mid-range detail, this can be OK. Bryston, on the other hand, has historically gone to great lengths to avoid "voicing", and targeting neutrality. This means the ancilliary components, cables among them, MUST also be chosen with natural musicality in mind, and through careful selection. This doesn't mean spending megabucks, I've had success with moderately priced options, and I'm still working on it, replacing some good choices with alternates, to see if I can do better.
Here's the punch line. The BP-19 has been a constant throughout, and along with the rest of the system, it has seemed to just get better and better as the accessory choices have improved. My goal has remained good representation of detail, including spatial information, but always presented in a musically natural way. For example, I used to wonder if the BP-19 was somewhat limited in its' ability to reveal recorded depth. No more. The BP-19, along with the rest of the system, has stepped up with each improvement or change to cables, including USB connections. (On occasion the system has "stepped back" with certain cables, another expression of neutrality.) The main components you choose are important, but equally so is system setup in all senses. Not just speaker position.
No need to take my word for it. Read Christiaan Punter's review of the BI-200 in HFA, he pretty much nailed it, I think.
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/amplifier-reviews/integrated-amplifier-reviews/bryston-bi-200-integrated-amplifier/Brian
