Bryston B-60sst and Bcd-1

daffy · « **on:** 1 Dec 2008, 03:56 pm »

Boy o Boy ,four weeks ago i just ordered my first Bryston

setup here in the Netherlands
I hardly can wait any longer till the "stuff" arrives.

I'm now using a top of the line Marantz pm14 mkII KI intergrated and cd-14 cdplayer from around 2000 bought second hand in 2003 together with a pair of Kef XQ5 loudspeakers.

http://www.marantz.com/new/index.cfm?fuseaction=Products.ArchProduct&cont=eu&bus=hf&prod_id=499&type=amp

http://www.avland.co.uk/marantz/cd14/

But the wife started nagging

that the rig was too big and too Black, so i had to look for something else and my eye cought some reviews of the (old) b-60 and the new Bcd-1 and showed them to my wife , in silver they look perfect to me she said.
So here i am almost a new Bryston owner (the sound quality and the 20 yrs warranty also helped a bit

)

daffy

p.s. any tips regarding different powercords, pre-amp jumpers and other tweaks with bryston gear ?

James Tanner · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Dec 2008, 05:22 pm »

Welcome Daffy.

james

niels · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Dec 2008, 08:47 pm »

I tried an Isotek power cord for my B100 since it didnt come with a power cord, but heard no difference from my homemade cable.
Jumpers I have no experience with, but there are wildly exotic stuff out there. A good short interconnect will also do if you dont trust the jumpers, but you can test yourself.

Lancelot · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Dec 2008, 09:08 pm »

I've owned a number of Bryston products including the B60 ( now only a 3 BSST) and how found modestly priced ( by high end standards ) power cords to have a subtle positive effect ( slightly fuller bass mainly) that makes them worthwhile. The vastly superior AC connectors simply seem like a good idea anyway.
I'm presently using a Shunyata Venom - fully shielded, CSA certified ,that costs $100 . The firmer electrical contact seems, to me, ( regardless of sound improvement) worthwhile rather than the $1 or so power cord included as original equipment.
FWIW- I borrowed a $700 Cardas power cord and though it was worse ( to me) that what I have but we are dealing with very subtle differences and personal preferences.

daffy · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2008, 09:19 pm »

Thanks James

I assume the 2 units (maybe 1, Maffico had a Bcd-1 in stock i believe) are already shipped to holland

i,d realy like to know because it,s near 5 december and then we have
Sinter klaas

overhere, "he" gives everybody who was nice the past year a present and it would be awsome if he had some brystons down his sleeve, O believe you me

i was very,very nice and sweet the past year.
It's something like x-mas with Santa Claus (sinter Klaas) but WE have them both. aa

@Niels

I believe there are copper u jumpers on the b-60 to separate pre and power , I had nice results with replacing them on a Nad c320bee amp in my hobby room , maybe also on the b-60 altough they are in a Quite different league.

Daffy

daffy · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2008, 09:45 pm »

Hi Lancelot

In my above mentioned marantz setup powercords made a (small) positive difference since then i,m taking the diy route on powercords.

something like this

but with better connectors.

and

I will try them when i,m used to the difference in sound between the maranz vs. Bryston.

I believe Bryston pays more attention to the quality of the powersupply than Marantz does so the difference's will be smaller i guess.

Daffy

denjo · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Dec 2008, 08:52 am »

I use Black Sand Statement One feeding my B100 and this sounds best - both companies are from the land of the maple tree! As for ICs, I am trying Gregg Starley's Reality Cables. My experience of the Reality Cables are very neutral sounding cables. I am also going to try Reality SC in place of my venerable Auditorium 23s.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Dec 2008, 04:50 am »

The Shunyata Venom was mentioned, and I thought I should chime in. I use one with my B60. Its definitely a change. Its sounds a bit softer and more relaxed. It sounds a touch cleaner and fuller. A huge night and day change? Nope. Everyone's ears are different though.

I accidentally chafed the jacket on my original power cord. A local (non Bryston) dealer had a demo Venom and gave it to me at cost, hence my trying it out. It sounds a bit better to my ears, but I could see some people not liking the change.

daffy · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm »

MMM Sinter klaas has left holland 7 december.

In comes Santa claus

Maybe he's got some bryston in his bag.

Now listening to guns and roses :patience

Daffy

p.s. James can you please confirm there was an order from Mafico (Netherlands) for a b60-sst and a Bcd-1 17 inch silver.
All i hear on the phone after 2 months: it's ordered and on the way.

James Tanner · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Dec 2008, 11:35 pm »

Hi Daffy,

I will check tomorrow for you.

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 04:50 pm »

Quote from: daffy on 21 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm

MMM Sinter klaas has left holland 7 december.

In comes Santa claus

Maybe he's got some bryston in his bag.

Now listening to guns and roses :patience

Daffy

p.s. James can you please confirm there was an order from Mafico (Netherlands) for a b60-sst and a Bcd-1 17 inch silver.
All i hear on the phone after 2 months: it's ordered and on the way.

Hi Daffy,

I am sorry but I do not show any order in house from our Distributor in the Netherlands for a B60 and a BCD. What dealer did you order through?

james

daffy · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 08:00 pm »

Thanks for the inquiery james,Much appreciated

I first had a phonecall with mafico if it was posibble to order bryston at my local dealer studio Alkmaar http://www.studioalkmaar.nl/ They said there was no problem.
So i just ordered the Bryston's there.

Today i got a phonecall from studio Alkmaar that the Distributor is bringing the bryston's personally on wednesday (after 2,5 months waiting)
But if mafico had them in stock and dindn't order at Bryston why the 2,5 months waiting ??
Tomorrow i will call Mafico if studio Alkmaar placed the order there.

Daffy

James Tanner · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 08:27 pm »

Hi daffy

OK - please let me know how it goes.

james

daffy · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Dec 2008, 08:32 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 22 Dec 2008, 08:27 pm

Hi daffy

OK - please let me know how it goes.

james

I will

And thanks again.

Daffy

daffy · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Dec 2008, 09:44 am »

Hi James

This morning i called mafico and they assured me that everything was alright.
The bryston's will be delivered Wednesday.

o boy

Daffy

James Tanner · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Dec 2008, 01:00 pm »

Quote from: daffy on 23 Dec 2008, 09:44 am

Hi James

This morning i called mafico and they assured me that everything was alright.
The bryston's will be delivered Wednesday.

o boy

Daffy

Hi daffy,

Great news - please let me know your thoughts once you get things all set up.

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Dec 2008, 03:12 pm »

Hi daffy,

Just as a follow up I spoke to Alex at Mafico and checked with shipping here at Bryston and the B60 and CD Player was shipped from Bryston the last week of November.

james

daffy · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Dec 2008, 06:49 pm »

Hi, Merry Christmas everybody

I finally received and installed the bryston set, yeah

But I have some Doubts and questions, my first short listening impression was a bit disappointing

Compared to my previous Marantz setup the sound was a bitt dark,muddy and closed in.
Voices don’t come into the room and the soundstage is quite smaller than before.

Now the b60-and bcd-1 are brand new so could this have something to do with burn in time before the whole opens up ?
I "think" i've experienced this "phenomena" before with other equipment, but it's a bit controversial subject according to sience.

The used speakers are Kef XQ 5

with the following specifications

sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 90dB
impedance: 8 ohm (3.2 ohm minimum)
frequency responce at 15' horizontally of axis +- 3dB 45Hz-55kHz
Amplifier requierments 15-150 W

So i think the B-60 would be quite adequate.

I’ve checked all the cables and connections and they are A o.k.

daffy

James Tanner · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Dec 2008, 07:31 pm »

Hi Daffy,

Couple of things.

1.What was the power of your old amp?
2.Have you tried the new CD Player with the old amp?

The B60 has excellent control in the bottom end so the lower more controlled bass response may be causing the tonal balance to lean more towards the bass which would make things sound darker and less open.

Try spreading the speakers a little furthur apart (6 inches to a foot) if possible from where they are now. (There is a 'coupling' effect between speakers which can emphasize the bass).

I would say that the sound will be 'dark' at first (no engineers please) but should improve with a few days of use.

Hope this helps.

james

daffy · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Dec 2008, 08:31 pm »

Hi James

1:110/190 Watts 8/4 Ohm but a dampingfactor of 150 at unspecified frequency http://www.marantz.com/new/index.cfm?fuseaction=Products.ArchProd_Specs&cont=eu&bus=hf&prod_id=499&type=amp&arch=1

2. Nope iv'e not tried the bcd-1 with the old amp ,my first source was the tv

at that moment so the only diffrence was the b-60.
(and it has very high quality sound as far as that goes with tv

)

Later i had much longer listening sessions and the same points stay true with every source i used.
I tried the speakers in multiple positions, (much) furthur apart,toe in, further from the back wall etc.
I also tried different speaker and rca cables.
I left both the units on for 2x 24 hours with burn-in cd's

But the sound just doesn't flow into the room and pull's me into the music as it used to do, it stays as flat as a pancake.
there is definitely more detail,lower end contol, sweet treble etc. but the sound is like a wall 2 meter away with no/less depth and veilled (darker, not as much clarity) voices.

Even Amused to Death, roger waters (Q sound) sticks to the speakers.

Help i,m puzzled

daffy