[GrooveControl]

Great move James.  You needed this amp in your lineup. Really glad you are bringing pre-out/main-in back. Good stuff!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1264922879004957&set=a.549646560532596
 

[Riverdalium]

any specs?

[GrooveControl]

My wish list...

- bring back tape monitor too
- drive the headphone jack via the power amp section
- provide both in and out 12v trigger jacks

...ahhh, perfecto maestro.

[FullRangeMan]

Nice release 

[R. Daneel]

Class-D or class-A/B?

[GrooveControl]

I was told at AudioFest that the amplifier stage is class D. I think it is about 100w per channel, but not sure about this.  Memory ain’t what it used to be.

[jobiwon]

Class-D or class-A/B?

Says in the press release "Proprietary Class D module..."

[R. Daneel]

Hi fellas!

I don't want to create negative publicity but whenever I read "class D", my heart sinks. I am certain they measure well but I have not yet heard one that sounds anywhere near as good as class A/B. I assumed it would be class D because James Tanner has hinted something about a smaller integrated amp based on class D and besides, Bryston has always based their integrated amps on their power amps (B60 was based on 2B-LP, B100 was based on 2B, B135 was based on 2.5B and so on). Since there isn't a single class A/B amp in the 100-Watt range, I assumed it must be class D.

Also, I kind of have reservations about statemenst like the amp being based on a "moduule". It immediately suggests OEM and therefore mass production, something that can be purchased by any manufacturer - and this is precisely the case with most class D amps. Marketing is a powerful tool that can make or break a product.

I also wonder whether Bryston will be offering the 20-year guarantee for the class D -based amps. Does anyone know?

Cheers - Antun

[veloceleste]

I also wonder whether Bryston will be offering the 20-year guarantee for the class D -based amps. Does anyone know?

Cheers - Antun

Bryston FB says 5 year guarantee for now. Refer to the above Bryston FB page link for a few more details.

[GrooveControl]

...whenever I read "class D", my heart sinks...

It shouldn't.  I own a few TPA3255 based amps, and all I can say is WOW!  It's amazing what $200 will get you these days.   I own several Bryston pieces, I love them,  and have been a big fan for over 40 years. I'm an audio junky, not a golden eared audiophile.  I've switched between the B60 and my Marantz 2245 built in '72 and not noticed a difference. I can say the same for the digital amps.   Now maybe in a controlled A/B test I'd notice, but not after disconnecting one and connecting another.  Too much time in between and differences if any are hard to pic out.  I love my Bryston gear for many reasons, but I don't honk the "sound quality" horn.  They are accurate, period, but so are many other amps and technology classes. 

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Hi fellas!

I don't want to create negative publicity but whenever I read "class D", my heart sinks. I am certain they measure well but I have not yet heard one that sounds anywhere near as good as class A/B. I assumed it would be class D because James Tanner has hinted something about a smaller integrated amp based on class D and besides, Bryston has always based their integrated amps on their power amps (B60 was based on 2B-LP, B100 was based on 2B, B135 was based on 2.5B and so on). Since there isn't a single class A/B amp in the 100-Watt range, I assumed it must be class D.

Also, I kind of have reservations about statements like the amp being based on a "module". It immediately suggests OEM and therefore mass production, something that can be purchased by any manufacturer - and this is precisely the case with most class D amps. Marketing is a powerful tool that can make or break a product.

I also wonder whether Bryston will be offering the 20-year guarantee for the class D -based amps. Does anyone know?

Cheers - Antun

You say that you don’t want to create negative publicity, but then you trash Bryston for introducing an “inferior” class D amp? Then you give your opinion about them based on your opinion? And trashing anything that uses a “module”? You apparently haven’t ever heard anything with a Purifi module.
Bryston doesn’t put out crap.

[Altitude Fidelity]

Bryston class D amps are based on their in-house modules, not OEM off the shelf modules.

[jobiwon]

Bryston class D amps are based on their in-house modules, not OEM off the shelf modules.

Right.  Thats what so interesting about it.  Would love to here it. 

[R. Daneel]

Bryston FB says 5 year guarantee for now. Refer to the above Bryston FB page link for a few more details.

Hi!

I'll have a look at the FB page, thanks!

I figured the guarantee would be "only" 5 years. Sign of the times, I suppose.

Cheers - Antun

[R. Daneel]

It shouldn't.  I own a few TPA3255 based amps, and all I can say is WOW!  It's amazing what $200 will get you these days.   I own several Bryston pieces, I love them,  and have been a big fan for over 40 years. I'm an audio junky, not a golden eared audiophile.  I've switched between the B60 and my Marantz 2245 built in '72 and not noticed a difference. I can say the same for the digital amps.   Now maybe in a controlled A/B test I'd notice, but not after disconnecting one and connecting another.  Too much time in between and differences if any are hard to pic out.  I love my Bryston gear for many reasons, but I don't honk the "sound quality" horn.  They are accurate, period, but so are many other amps and technology classes.

Hi!

That's fair and of course, there's nothing wrong with your approach to enjoying music. The thing that troubles me, well, two things actually, are:
1. Longevity - will Bryston be able to service these amps in the future if they're based on "a chip" which likely they do not manufacture (hence the 5-year rather than the usual 20-year guarantee)? You say you have been a Bryston fan for 40 years. You are likely a lucky owner of one of their old amps and it's still running fine. This would not be the case if those amps were class D, I assure you.
2. Bryston built a reputation on using discrete compoment circuits, avoiding the more common (and cheaper) approach of using integrated circuits (ICs). Class D is heavily dependednt on ICs or to use a broader term, on silocon. Given that they most certainly do not manufacture those IC themselves, this seems out of character for them.

Cheers - Antun

[R. Daneel]

You say that you don’t want to create negative publicity, but then you trash Bryston for introducing an “inferior” class D amp? Then you give your opinion about them based on your opinion? And trashing anything that uses a “module”? You apparently haven’t ever heard anything with a Purifi module.
Bryston doesn’t put out crap.

Well then, perhaps you will tell us what circuit drives the Purifi topology.

See, when I post my "opinion", as you have eloquently put it, there is something that actually stands behind that opinion and it is argumented, typically in plain language.

You should also know that not all folks on this forum are "enthusiasts". This used to be a technology forum and we had quite a community. Who knows, you might come across a doctor of sciences and disgrace yourself if you reply aggressively but don't really offer a constructive criticism or alternate view worth further discussion. This is a forum, not a quorum.

Cheers - Antun

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Hi!

That's fair and of course, there's nothing wrong with your approach to enjoying music. The thing that troubles me, well, two things actually, are:
1. Longevity - will Bryston be able to service these amps in the future if they're based on "a chip" which likely they do not manufacture (hence the 5-year rather than the usual 20-year guarantee)? You say you have been a Bryston fan for 40 years. You are likely a lucky owner of one of their old amps and it's still running fine. This would not be the case if those amps were class D, I assure you.[/

Please tell me how you can assure us of this.

[R. Daneel]

Hi!

That's fair and of course, there's nothing wrong with your approach to enjoying music. The thing that troubles me, well, two things actually, are:
1. Longevity - will Bryston be able to service these amps in the future if they're based on "a chip" which likely they do not manufacture (hence the 5-year rather than the usual 20-year guarantee)? You say you have been a Bryston fan for 40 years. You are likely a lucky owner of one of their old amps and it's still running fine. This would not be the case if those amps were class D, I assure you.[/

Please tell me how you can assure us of this.

Hi!

It will be a while before I step over my own principles and educate those who do not really wish to learn, or who do not deserve it. I do not do it in the engineering circles and I will most certainly not be doing it here, "on demand", as if the world somehow owes you something. I can recommend a good online course if you wish. If you pay for it, you will surely value it. Alternatively, you can wait a few years for eBay to be flooded with defunct class D amps.

Cheers - Antun

[NIGHTFALL1970]

I don’t think that I am the one who needs to be educated.
Also, you refer to me as being negative when all I have done is to quote you. Maybe you should get a job at Bryston, possibly in marketing.  You seem to know better what products they should be offering. If only they had your guidance.

[NIGHTFALL1970]

I am able to play my Buckeye monoblocks at 80-85 db for hours and they don’t even get lukewarm. If heat is the enemy of electronics, then doesn’t it seem that class D amps that run cooler might last longer than other classes of amps?
I had a pair of Classe DR-10s for 22 years before I sold them. I have not “worn out” an amp yet. I have owned multiple class A/B and tube amps and preamps for almost 40 years, and none of them have self destructed.