[James Tanner]

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.

Hi 1oldguy,

It really just evolved from the fact we wanted a new model and calling it version two (2) seemed so lame.  So using the ‘2’ as a subscript so ‘SST²’ seemed so much more clever.

James


PS - also it leaves the door wide open for version  '3' (cubed)

[predrag]

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

Good question here!
Actually I was waiting for someone to break the ice with this one.
My 7B SST2 are serial No 1701 and 1702 production date 0850 (220V-50Hz).
As I am very happy with my 7`s so if this transformer upgrade isn`t something that will bring audible sonic benefit why bother?
Wish to know what other 7B owners think.
However one good sideeffect of M.Fremer`s review is that it trigerred a lot of discussion here.
This forum looks quite busy in the past few weeks!

Cheers!

[95Dyna]

Hi 1oldguy,

It really just evolved from the fact we wanted a new model and calling it version two (2) seemed so lame.  So using the ‘2’ as a subscript so ‘SST²’ seemed so much more clever.

James


PS - also it leaves the door wide open for version  '3' (cubed)

You'll have to skip 4 (Quad) or the market might think the amp is designed to work with only one brand of speaker.

[95Dyna]

Good question here!
Actually I was waiting for someone to break the ice with this one.
My 7B SST2 are serial No 1701 and 1702 production date 0850 (220V-50Hz).
As I am very happy with my 7`s so if this transformer upgrade isn`t something that will bring audible sonic benefit why bother?
Wish to know what other 7B owners think.
However one good sideeffect of M.Fremer`s review is that it trigerred a lot of discussion here.
This forum looks quite busy in the past few weeks!

Cheers!

I have 1850 and 1851 and all I can say after reading the review is that I breathed a major sigh of relief when I discovered 1825 was the cutoff for the old PS.

[James Tanner]

I have 1850 and 1851 and all I can say after reading the review is that I breathed a major sigh of relief when I discovered 1825 was the cutoff for the old PS.

It brings up a good point:

When should a company stop trying to improve their products and simply 'freeze' their designs?

james

[gtaphile]

I do have a pair in that range and they are on their way to Bryston for the upgrade.

Will let you know my thoughts when they are back.

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

[Gojo]

Hi James,

I don’t think it’s a freeze that’s at issue.  Here’s what I’m feeling at the moment, rightly or wrongly.

I was under the impression when I bought the 7Bs in April last year that I was getting all of the trickle down effects that resulted in designing the 28 B.

My understanding is the 28Bs have always had the newer transformer design.  James please correct me if this is wrong.

The Bryston website reads “depending on the specific model advancements in the sst2 include  a new power supply transformer design”.

On that basis I decided to purchase 3 7bsstsq, feeling the next upgrade would be when an sst3 line came out in 5 to 7 years, maybe. So I’m thinking I’m now good for at least 5 years and for sure 20 yrs with the warranty.   I now learn  after the purchase  less than a year later that the new power supply transformer design of the 28 wasn’t included in the initial run of the new 7Bs.

I wouldn’t be disappointed if somehow a new sst3 line was then introduced a new transformer design, but we’re still in the sst2 line and my understanding is that  the newer transformer existed when the 7 sst2 was introduced or it seems to read so at the Bryston website.  Is that the true?


I guess that’s where my frustration lies.   Now if the new transformer supplies didn’t exist, then maybe now I’m thinking I should have waited on the sidelines for a year or 2 which does come back to your earlier question of “model freeze”. And there I don’t have an answer at the moment.

  If I have some how misinformed myself with incorrect information in the above, I apologize.  If I haven’t, then there must surely  be a a happier way out of this. This is less about what I’m hearing musically and more about what I’m reading, spec wise.

Thank you for taking the time to read the above.

With all due respect
Sincerely

Joe

[James Tanner]

Hi Joe,

Yes I think there is a lot of misunderstanding on the evolution of the amplifiers. 

The original 28B SST did not have the latest transformer designs we are currently using.  This new design is very recent in the 7B's (about 4 months).  We tried it on the 28B's first (about 6 months ago) to see if we felt it was worth doing and have since decided to use the same designs on the more recent 7B's and 14B's as well.

james


 

[werd]

Hi Joe,

Yes I think there is a lot of misundestanding on the evolution of the amplifiers. 

The original 28B SST did not have the latest transformer designs we are currently using.  This new design is very recent in the 7B's (about 2 months).  We tried it on the 28B's first (about 4 months ago) to see if we felt it was worth doing and have since decided to use the same designs on the more recent 7B's and 14B's as well.

james

Hello

so the 14B i have on order is going to have the new transformer? How about the 4Bs any new transformers on those?

[James Tanner]

Hello

so the 14B i have on order is going to have the new transformer? How about the 4Bs any new transformers on those?

Hi werd - yes your 14B is the newer design.  This new technology only affects really large amplifiers so the 4B, 3B, 6B, 9B, 2B are not affected.

james

[werd]

Hi werd - yes your 14B is the newer design.  This new technology only affects really large amplifiers so the 4B, 3B, 6B, 9B, 2B are not affected.

james

YES !!   

[Gojo]

Thanks James!

That clarifies things up a bunch.  Just out of curiosity, what is the cost of the upgrade?  An earlier poster indicated his pair were on the way already. (Gtaphile, not sure of the spelling, sorry)

Joe

[rob80b]

Hi Joe,

It’s always nice to have the latest and greatest but having used Bryston for over 25 years I know they are constantly improving on design and component implementation and making things better even in a designated model. If a better capacitor, transistor, power supply etc. comes along they use it. We usually do not see a new prefix added to the model designation unless the fundamental layout and design are changed, for example 3B, 3B NRB, 3BST, 3BSST etc., but within each I’ve seen improvements which were not announced by Bryston. Even the 2BLP, which never by name changed, had many, changes to its components over its life span even though the basic circuit design essentially stayed the same.
So basically I like the fact, that although the changes are not necessarily revolutionary there is a constant evolution for the better in the Bryston lineup.
If one should have waited two years one might as well wait forever, but remember it’s not about the equipment but the music.

Robert

Hi James,

I don’t think it’s a freeze that’s at issue.  Here’s what I’m feeling at the moment, rightly or wrongly.

I was under the impression when I bought the 7Bs in April last year that I was getting all of the trickle down effects that resulted in designing the 28 B.

My understanding is the 28Bs have always had the newer transformer design.  James please correct me if this is wrong.

The Bryston website reads “depending on the specific model advancements in the sst2 include  a new power supply transformer design”.

On that basis I decided to purchase 3 7bsstsq, feeling the next upgrade would be when an sst3 line came out in 5 to 7 years, maybe. So I’m thinking I’m now good for at least 5 years and for sure 20 yrs with the warranty.   I now learn  after the purchase  less than a year later that the new power supply transformer design of the 28 wasn’t included in the initial run of the new 7Bs.

I wouldn’t be disappointed if somehow a new sst3 line was then introduced a new transformer design, but we’re still in the sst2 line and my understanding is that  the newer transformer existed when the 7 sst2 was introduced or it seems to read so at the Bryston website.  Is that the true?


I guess that’s where my frustration lies.   Now if the new transformer supplies didn’t exist, then maybe now I’m thinking I should have waited on the sidelines for a year or 2 which does come back to your earlier question of “model freeze”. And there I don’t have an answer at the moment.

  If I have some how misinformed myself with incorrect information in the above, I apologize.  If I haven’t, then there must surely  be a a happier way out of this. This is less about what I’m hearing musically and more about what I’m reading, spec wise.

Thank you for taking the time to read the above.

With all due respect
Sincerely

Joe

[Gojo]

hi Robert,

I appreciate your response and your reassuring words.  My immediate afterthought after James' reply was that it's not I got anything less than Bryston has promised in the new sst2 line, it's rather that as things evolve, Bryston will always try to get you more than what's promised which is what you just said.

As an example watt ratings on amps seem to always exceed the advertised spec be it 300 wpc or 600 wpc.  Quitely frankly the 7Bs sound excellent, but like most of us here, we're always wanting more if given the chance. I don't mean that in a greedy way. And your right, it's about the music and not about whether I can guess how old John Lennon's Vox amp is when a Beatle CD is played thru my system (I'm being silly)

Thanks

Joe

[gtaphile]

Joe,

I don't have the exact figure...but I believe it was $400 plus per channel (amp).

Thanks James!

That clarifies things up a bunch.  Just out of curiosity, what is the cost of the upgrade?  An earlier poster indicated his pair were on the way already. (Gtaphile, not sure of the spelling, sorry)

Joe

[95Dyna]

Joe,

I don't have the exact figure...but I believe it was $400 plus per channel (amp).

That's not too bad, Joe.  As you may recall the price went up on the 7B's $400.00 a pair late last spring shortly after the implementation of the new power supply.

[James Tanner]

I am putting together a description of the changes we will offer and rest assurred we will do it at the lowest price possible.


james

[vegasdave]

Sounds good.

[Gojo]

Thanks Gtaphile and 95dyna,

I'm thinking for now, maybe I'll just sit on the sidelines and hope to hear or rather read Gtaphile's comparsion in a bit.  More like a month, maybe,  I'm thinking.

Thanks for the update James

Joe

[1oldguy]

HI James


I have had my amps now longer than 4 months.Closer to 8.So I take it i don't have the new transformers?