[95Dyna]

Musical Fidelity was one of the first audio components that I auditioned.

I wonder how the comparison would go between the $17K 28Bs and the $30K Titans - this would prove to be very, very interesting.

What did they use to say in ancient Rome...  Bring forth your champion?

 

Be well...

Touche! as they like to say in modern day France (and Quebec).

[vegasdave]

Well, the fact of the matter is, is there was an impedance mismatch between the reviewers preamp and the 7BSST2's.

This points to the reviewers lack of technical know-how.

However, however, I would kindly suggest to Bryston to almost always send a preamp to go along with the amp(s) for review.

[turkey]

-The JC1 is made in China which is a problem for me.  The evidence is overwhelming that manufacurer specified parts will be substituted for cheaper parts when they can get away with it.

From http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/774/ we see:

"The Parasound Halo JC 1—a powerful, sophisticated premium product—was designed by a team headed by audio legend John Curl, and built for Parasound by a factory in Taiwan."

Taiwan has some of the finest electronics companies in the world. They'll build you anything you want, at whatever quality level you want.

I did a lot of beta-testing for ZyXel (http://www.zyxel.com) some years back, and one of my friends visited the factory and I saw the pictures he took. I was very impressed with their products, factory, engineers, and support staff.


    
Taiwan - Worldwide Headquarters - ZyXEL Communications Corporation

    Tel: +886-3-578-3942
    Fax: +886-3-578-2439
    Address: No. 6, Innovation Road II, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu 300
    Email: sales@zyxel.com.tw

[turkey]

This points to the reviewers lack of technical know-how.

Isn't this true of most reviewers?

I've always been amazed at the number of technical gaffes in most reviews. They're the audio industries' equivalent of Bushisms.

[95Dyna]

Well, the fact of the matter is, is there was an impedance mismatch between the reviewers preamp and the 7BSST2's.

This points to the reviewers lack of technical know-how.

However, however, I would kindly suggest to Bryston to almost always send a preamp to go along with the amp(s) for review.

Hey Vegas....

The preamp mismatch issue with the review is a tricky one.  The only reference you see to it is in the measurements section where John Atkinson is speaking.  He makes reference to the darTzeel preamp's balanced output being incompatible with the 7's balanced input and that it's not a problem with the unbalanced output and input.  The problem is nowhere does it say how the darTzeel was connected to the 7 during the audition.  Both the Tara Labs Zero and Kubala-Sosna Emotion are available in RCA or XLR.  MF states in the body of the review that he changed cables, the pre to the MF Primo and added the Simaudio Moon LP5 all with noticeable improvement then immediately clobbers the 7 over the head with the MF Titan again to end the review.  Bottom line, this is a major uncertainty that should be confirmed.  Again, I emphasize that take away the comparisons to the Titan and the JC1 and Fremer is very kind to the 7.  He spent way too much time comparing it to the Titan which to me was irrelevent due to 400%+ price premium.  Comparing it to the JC1 is right and just but if he was using a preamp that mated well with one of the amps and is incompatible with the other that is neither right or just.  But, we have know way of answering that question with the information at hand.  Maybe James would be able to get an answer from Stereophile.

[Mad Mr H]

Turkey - I dont like your advert of three posts above..............

Dont think it serves any purpose here......

[turkey]

Turkey - I dont like your advert of three posts above..............

Dont think it serves any purpose here......

What?

They make computer equipment and are an example of a Taiwanese electronics company. I was pointing out that Taiwan has world-class manufacturers and that there was no need for people to immediately play the "China" card.

I gave the info so people would know who they were if they wanted to.

Get a grip man, it's not as if I was suggesting anyone buy their products or something.

[VOLKS]

I remember my first CD Player i bought back in 92-93  was a Rotel  built in Taiwan.Guess what?I still runs excellent and never needed service.The sound?Dated now in 2010,but still better then more cheap china made players a la sony and the like.

[Mad Mr H]

That's one persons opinion that an item made in China is an issue for that person.

An opinion they are entitled to.

NO ONE from "Bryston" are passing comment on others.........



As for the advert, the link to the website was all that was really needed, Not all contact details.........and serves no purpose in this thread.
Its also poor practice to post info like that in a public place - the SPAM BOTS get hold of it, PM's usually the best way to give that info. No need to PM me it !

[SHV]

I was pointing out that Taiwan has world-class manufacturers
*********
A good example is Quanta Computer...makes >33% of lap tops, including Apple, HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, etc, etc.  "Brand name" these days doesn't have the same meaning as it did, say thirty years ago.

Steve

[vegasdave]

Isn't this true of most reviewers?

I've always been amazed at the number of technical gaffes in most reviews. They're the audio industries' equivalent of Bushisms.

Yes, unfortunately. There are exceptions though, such as Peter Aczel of the Audio Critic.

[vegasdave]

Hey Vegas....

The preamp mismatch issue with the review is a tricky one.  The only reference you see to it is in the measurements section where John Atkinson is speaking.  He makes reference to the darTzeel preamp's balanced output being incompatible with the 7's balanced input and that it's not a problem with the unbalanced output and input.  The problem is nowhere does it say how the darTzeel was connected to the 7 during the audition.  Both the Tara Labs Zero and Kubala-Sosna Emotion are available in RCA or XLR.  MF states in the body of the review that he changed cables, the pre to the MF Primo and added the Simaudio Moon LP5 all with noticeable improvement then immediately clobbers the 7 over the head with the MF Titan again to end the review.  Bottom line, this is a major uncertainty that should be confirmed.  Again, I emphasize that take away the comparisons to the Titan and the JC1 and Fremer is very kind to the 7.  He spent way too much time comparing it to the Titan which to me was irrelevent due to 400%+ price premium.  Comparing it to the JC1 is right and just but if he was using a preamp that mated well with one of the amps and is incompatible with the other that is neither right or just.  But, we have know way of answering that question with the information at hand.  Maybe James would be able to get an answer from Stereophile.

Good point. I was remiss in not mentioning that. Thanks for bringing that to the forefront.

[turkey]

As for the advert, the link to the website was all that was really needed, Not all contact details.........and serves no purpose in this thread.

Their web site directs you to subsidiary web sites for different regions, and it isn't immediately obvious that their headquarters is in Taiwan.

Its also poor practice to post info like that in a public place - the SPAM BOTS get hold of it, PM's usually the best way to give that info. No need to PM me it !

The info is on their web site. Isn't that a rather public place?

I don't plan on PM'ing you with anything. Get a grip!

[turkey]

Hi Folks,

Yes I think we should be cautious here - implying that cheaper no spec parts are being substituted in Parasound without specfic evidence is accusatory without proof.

I actually see Parasound as being one of the good guys. They offer well-engineered products for reasonable prices.

(Bryston seems to offer better-engineered products yet, but not everyone can afford them for whatever reason.)

There are all too many companies that sell poorly-designed, poorly-performing, unreliable equipment and charge megabucks for it.

[Gojo]

I'm guessing by the discuss thus far that nobody owns a 7B with serial no. between the 1500ish to 1825ish, ie, the 7Bs with transformer that MF was less happy with.

I own 3 7Bs with serial numbers in the 1700s.  I've been sitting on the sidelines hoping someone else would broach the subject of transformer differences.  For now I had two questions.  (1) Do the pre 1500s and post 1825s contain the same transformer ie the 28-like transformers?  If yes, then why the change between 1500 to 1825?

(2) Probably the more important question is what are the basic differences between the two transformers?  James, I realize you partly answered the question in my email.  Mr Fremer claims to hearing all kinds of differences that maybe I won't hear.  I do own the Beatle CD which he uses to discuss differences.  I guess I was listening to music and the Beatles and missed alot of stuff that gets you a job reviewing electronics.  I do have a day job, so not to worry there.

The option to upgrade is available, but is the upgrade really needed is what I'm asking?  I'm guessing James is probably the best person to ask.

Look forward to hearing any input from all of view

Sincerely,

Joe

[James Tanner]

Hi Joe,

We are always looking for ways to improve our products and there is always the issue of when you make a change when do you start calling the product by a new model number.  Most of the time that situation arises about every 5-7 years because of technology changes or research advances.

The new transformers are a result of our research into the Torus Power Conditioners and the way music waveform transients are handled by the power supply in the amplifiers. Obviously we feel it does provide for improvements in certain areas of performance but it is evolutionary not revolutionary.  We will be offering upgrades for those that want it. 

I am always concerned though with this kind of thing because putting a percentage of improvement on this type of upgrade is difficult at best and I worry that our customers spend money and hear very little or no difference.

james
 

[Gojo]

Thanks James

Joe

[Stu Pitt]

Hi Joe,

We are always looking for ways to improve our products and there is always the issue of when you make a change when do you start calling the product by a new model number.  Most of the time that situation arises about every 5-7 years because of technolgy changes or research advances.

The new transformers are a result of our research into the Torus Power Conditioners and the way music waveform transients are handled by the power supply in the amplifiers. Obviously we feel it does provide for improvements in certain areas of performance but it is evolutionary not revolutionary.  We will be offering upgrades for those that want it. 

I am always concerned though with this kind of thing because putting a percentage of improvement on this type of upgrade is difficult at best and I worry that our customers spend money and hear very little or no difference.

james

Its that kind of honesty that sets Bryston apart from a lot of other manufacturers. 

Not to bash a person/company, but there's a small catalog that I randomly get (someone is selling my info, I'm pretty sure its Music Direct) that I never asked for.  It makes claims like 'Sounds 67% better than brand x.'  The guy makes some very good points, but loses all credibility when he quantifies improvements that are completely unmeasurable.

[gerald porzio]

Some reviewers & audiophiles have systems that are so overtweaked, over short spans, w/ constant changing that one wonders what they're hearing oft times. A backhand quasi "good" review for a fine amp, for no good reason. Do reviewers ears have hours on them like tubes? Should they retire gracefully before burn out?

[1oldguy]

Hi James

Curious about the part in the review where Mr.F say's that the reason for the amps being called "Squared isn't explained and probably doesn't matter anyway".Not my words, his.Doesn't sound like a very friendly way of addressing his curiosity.
At any rate I figure why not ask you.What  and why are the reason the amps are squared?Just what does it mean?

Thanks James.