[james_dmi]

I'm looking for a good per-amp to go with my 2 4B-SST’s (bi-amped) and B&W 802D’s. The BP26 seems to be a good match both in performance and price but I need to have remote source switching. How much extra could it be to add another motor to the source knob and a few extra buttons to the remote??

I'm currently using an Arcam fmj-C30 which along with my Arcam fmj-CD33 are left over form my last system. Both of these are now out matched by my other components but I (and more importantly my girlfriend) have got used to the convenience these offer. E.g. remote switching, dot matrix display with editable input names, input trimming, very fine volume control resolution (with 3 selectable sensitivities), max power on volume (really good for me because my girlfriend likes to listen loud) all of which can be controlled with the remote. (It even remote starts the 4B-SST’s with its 12 volt output trigger) I'm willing to give up most of these but remote switching is something we would really miss. I would swap this for both the phase switching and the balance controls of the BP26.

Please Bryston add this feature at some point. I'm not sure if I know of another competitive per-amp which has remote switching in the same price range.

Another question is the BP26 upgradeable to the DAC version or does this need to be specified when its bought?

[James Tanner]

Hi,

Adding full source remote on the BP26 would be a complete redesign.
Maybe consider the BP-16 preamp which has fullremote capability -http://www.bryston.ca/bp16_m.html

Yes the DAC can be added later to the BP26 but the faceplate has to change to provide proper labeling.

james

[james_dmi]

What sort of performance downgrade is the BP16 from the BP26. It seems to me that one is a purest Hi-end device (which I wish you could select the source from the remote on) and the other is a feature rich design but lower in your range. Therefore I surmise that it must be performance limited in some way.

[James Tanner]

Hi James,

The gain stages in all our preamps are identical. So the choices become choices of features not performance.

james

[james_dmi]

So the BP16 has the same sound quality as the BP26? Or am I misunderstanding your last post.

I would have thought that would be impossible with the BP26 clearly being a purest audio design with separate a power supply. Is the BP16 more expensive then the BP26?

I'm not looking to compromise on quality in anyway I want PB26 levels of performance but I just also want remote switching (Some people are never happy they want it all! Sorry….) Getting a preamp that matches the aesthetic of my amps would be the icing on the cake but not as important.

[James Tanner]

Hi James,

The BP16 is less expensive than the BP26 but that is because the BP26 has balanced in and balanced out discrete circuits. The BP26 does have a slightly better noise floor than the BP16 by a couple of dB.

james

[james_dmi]

Another thought where does the SP2 come in terms of performance compared to the BP26? I don’t need multi-channel yet but I am thinking of adding a few smaller speakers (B&W 805S) + Sub to my setup for occasional movie watching (still using the 802D's for mains)

[james_dmi]

Thanks for you reply I must have been typing the same time as you. I guess I have to decide if I can live without the source switching then I can’t go for a lesser pre for features alone it wouldn’t be right.... Bummer!