Have you ever experienced a memory, seemingly spawned out of the blue by a simple inter-action during your daily routine and you find yourself consumed by it? “Laundrew” raises hand and is compelled to take pen to paper - well, keyboard to monitor. Today is somewhat of an auspicious day at the Laundrew abode as it was exactly 17 years ago (2009) that I had purchased my Bryston audio components and true to my original philosophy of not jumping on the never ending, “upgrade” bandwagon, my amplifiers (28B SST² & BP26), speakers (JBL 1400 Project Array) and CD player (Esoteric X-05) have been a constant companion during my musical journey of nearly 2 decades. This was my first venture into the realm of what many individuals define as high end audio.
I distinctly remember referring to the 28B SST² amplifiers as “beasties” or “iron fists in a velvet glove” after unleashing them in my room so very long ago and to this very day, they still wear these badges of honour. The energy they can sustain is simply insane and at the same instance, be as delicate as a butterfly landing on the petal of a flower.
…and here is the complete irony, before I started searching for my future system, I had never heard of Bryston. This irony also reaches new levels when you consider that my parent’s home was outside of Peterborough and I attended high school in that very city. Perhaps the saving grace for my family honour was the time when Mom and Dad dropped in for a visit and upon Dad seeing the amplifiers he mentioned that he knew where the Bryston factory was located.
It required a year or so to purchase all of the components.
The search for a vendor I could feel comfortable with quickly became a truly frustrating venture and there were many times I found myself shaking my head as I walked out of some retailer’s front door. As I reflect back on a few of my interactions with a handful of audio stores, what stands out the most in my mind was the sheer arrogance, or dare I say, the outright snobbery associated with audio retail. Please note that I am certainly not using this as an umbrella or an all encompassing statement. Maybe walking in their front door at times dressed in black, a Dead Can Dance T-shirt, long black hair and New Rock boots did not bode well for a potential sale from the staff’s point of view - but hey, Goths are people too. One dealer I visited, got in my face and outright told me that I could not afford to purchase any of his systems, called other manufacturer’s equipment “sh!t” (exact word) and then had the audacity to offer me a unit that had a damaged face plate at a reduced price. Another example was a dealer telling me to go to a specific audio store, audition the product and then come back so he could order it for me.
A breakthrough finally occurred in my saga when I was discussing these issues with a workmate, he casually mentioned that I should check out Altronics Stereo 2000 on Bloor Street and that the store was only a handful of blocks away. I remember walking up to the store and after seeing the storefront, I considered it to be just another, ordinary audio store.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I entered, I was simply amazed by all of the high end audio gear sitting on the shelves and was immediately greeted by Ron and Rob. There are times where you quickly become comfortable with people - Ron and Rob certainly fell into this category. Their audio knowledge was as impressive as to the audio equipment they stocked on hand. I ended up purchasing my entire system from them and Ron went as far to deliver my first purchase, the JBL 1400 Project Array speakers on New Year’s Eve - a round trip of just under 200 km. While writing this post, I decided to check online for Altronics Stereo 2000 and was deeply saddened to learn that Ron had passed away in the late fall of 2021, the same time frame we moved from Ontario to the East Coast. Losing Ron, Altronics and of course Rob was a true loss for the local audio community.
Rest in peace Ron.
It was also Ron and Rob who recommend joining The Bryston Forum here on AudioCircle.
During May 2009 I joined the Bryston forum. The forum was a haven for Bryston aficionados to drop in, put their feet up and enjoy a chat with other like minded individuals. What was as equally impressive was the easy access individuals had to James. Over the years I have seen James take the time to personally reply to questions be it technical or when would an amplifier be available for delivery. I did have the pleasure of meeting James on a couple occasions and I found him to be a most welcoming and easy going person, and of course, his audio knowledge is completely off the charts. James you are appreciated.
Thinking back, I remember the forum was also a little more socially orientated - people would chat about their Bryston equipment but also other topics outside of the audio realm - it was an interesting and entertaining mix. Needless to say, I found many individuals such as; werd, 95Dyna, PRELUDE, Anonamouse, VegasDave, AllanS, Robert D, FullRangeMan, Elizabeth and 1oldguy (apologies if I have forgotten a few others, my poor mind) not only intriguing to chat with but also a wealth of knowledge and let’s not forget about the humour. Over the years here on the Bryston forum, I have seen people come and go and you just cannot help but wonder as to what happened to them or where they went - the feeling was like enjoying a daily cup of coffee or chat with a friend and then the next day the chair was empty.
So what about my audio gear?
Interestingly enough, I have now become the weak link in my audio gear as my hearing is not what it once was (maybe a small bonus is pretending not to hear Lady Laundrew now and then - winks). Perhaps working around aircraft, trains screaming past you in deep, dark tunnels or simply having a pair of 1 kilowatt beasties sitting on the shelf might have something to do with it. I’ll ignore the age “thing” for now but there are occasions when I contemplate that I have become a lone tree in a distant field whose leaves are slowly changing colour while a few fall off now and then. As the highs are now diminished for me, my saving grace is that there is absolutely no escaping the sheer presence of this system. I do remember thinking that this gear will hurt you if you are not careful as it slowly came to life for the very first time in my room. The audio is crystal clear and you can easily lose perspective of sound pressure levels.
I still enjoy the ritual of listening to music, deciding if I will experience a raging tempest or one of a gentle rain. Either selection is still a journey for the soul. I place a most favourite Gothic CD in the Esoteric, press play, dim the lights and perhaps light a candle this evening, relax in my comfortable chair, close my eyes and smile while I anticipate the voyage to come.
So what are my thoughts almost 2 decades later?
I still love them. They can still surprise me from time to time, I still find myself smiling at them now and then. I have not once regretted my purchasing decision and for myself, they has become a living, breathing entity, an intertwined part of my musical Xanadu. Yes I understand I have entered the world of anthropomorphism.
Rush put it the best way in their tune “The Spirit of radio.”
“Begin the day with a friendly voice
A companion unobtrusive
Plays that song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood”One might inquire as to what is the next chapter in my continuing audio journey. Assembling a vintage stereo around my first “real” stereo receiver - a Marantz 2226B (truly a wonderful and beautiful piece of kit - oh those soft, blue lights). One might consider a vintage system as a “conduit to the past” - I hope so. Another major project could very well be the construction of a garage/loft for a much expanded listening room. Yes I dearly miss my old room as it was my escape from life's daily tribulations.
Many fleeting thoughts crossed my mind as to how I could conclude this little post of mine and then it came to me after re-living experiences involving the search for my audio system.
Do not be consumed by specifications printed on a cold, sterile sheet of paper, music does not live there as it exists in your heart and soul. Never allow someone else to dictate as to what sounds good to you. Sit down in front of it, shut out the world, close your eyes and simply listen - has it come alive, can you reach out and touch it? Never try to keep up with the Joneses as it will pollute your journey - remember that there's always a bigger fish in the sea. A little pride and vanity is healthy at times - after all, it was you who worked hard and persevered to bring a dream to fruition. Also remember what may sound great to your ears might not be to others, appreciate this, celebrate their accomplishment and be happy for that person.
Music for a Generation? I’m certainly getting much closer to that milestone with each passing year. 
Be well…
