[James Tanner]

http://www.innerearmag.com/reviews/amplifiers/Bryston_7B_SST.shtml

[James Tanner]

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0409/bryston_7b_sst2.htm

[Mad Mr H]

Fantastic reading, Thank you.

 

[James Tanner]

Hi James

Well it has been about three weeks and a few hundred hours on the upgraded amps. At first I was disappointed and thought of selling them, because they didn't sound much different than the originals. This initial reaction has been replaced by a big smile on my face and the joy of returning to my system every day to listen to music.

I have been an audiophile for about 40 years, following this hobby in Stereophile and TAS with interest each month about what is new in our world. Bryston has always been there with solid commercial equipment. Only in the past couple of years have these amps gotten the praise they deserve in the audio press.

This last update of the 7B, 14B, 28B is not just an evolutionary upgrade as you have stated it is completely different in the rhythm and pace of the music. The bass on the original 7B SST2 was soft and light compared to the 14B ST that I sold to upgrade to the 7B SST2. Now with the Torus transformer the speed,  detail and weight is back in spades.

In an emotional context I feel more involved in the experience and not just listening to critiquing the sound. Also some of the older CD's I have which sounded harsh actually are much better. I would say that the changes have also had an effect on the highs some how. What ever it was worth the money and I am glad that I had the changes made.

Thanks for your help


Peter Symes
IBM Canada, 1995 55th Ave.
Dorval Que., H9P 1G9

[vegasdave]

Nice.

[Laundrew]

"In an emotional context I feel more involved in the experience and not just listening to critiquing the sound."

So true!

I still have not figured out what an audiophile is 

Be well...

[vegasdave]

I wonder about that myself. haha. I consider myself more a music lover than an audiophile.

[honesthoff]

I wonder about that myself. haha. I consider myself more a music lover than an audiophile.

Every couple of months or so, I need to remind myself that I started this whole weird, wild journey because of my love for the music and not the gear.  We all lose our way once in awhile.

[vegasdave]

Exactly. But, I love the gear too, it's great! Just not as much as the music!

[Napalm]

I still have not figured out what an audiophile is 

Here:

http://www.cyclesoft.com/Audiophile.html

Nap. 

[vegasdave]

Interesting article. I don't like him poking fun at audiophiles too much, but I hope it's not mean-spirited.

[Napalm]

Interesting article. I don't like him poking fun at audiophiles too much, but I hope it's not mean-spirited.

Looks to me like he was pissed off big time by someone from Stereophile. Those guys are actually very good at it.

Nap. 

[jaxwired]

Every couple of months or so, I need to remind myself that I started this whole weird, wild journey because of my love for the music and not the gear.  We all lose our way once in awhile.

I consider it two separate hobbies that enjoy a symbiotic relationship.  I have met plenty of music hobbyists that are not audiophiles and I've also met a few audiophiles that are not really all that interested in music (oddly).  I love both hobbies.

[vegasdave]

Looks to me like he was pissed off big time by someone from Stereophile. Those guys are actually very good at it.

Nap. 

Yep.

[vegasdave]

I consider it two separate hobbies that enjoy a symbiotic relationship.  I have met plenty of music hobbyists that are not audiophiles and I've also met a few audiophiles that are not really all that interested in music (oddly).  I love both hobbies.

I do too.

[Waker]

Yeah, read that artcle, "Why Rant When You Can Rave".  Not at all what I see myself as--I just like the music I love along with the sound that I love.  One point in the piece I cannot begin to agree with---that live music is the standard against which systems must be judged---is contrary to nearly every concert experience I have had.  Sure, live music is loud, and seeing your idols is exciting and romantic, etc, the venue puts you on another plane, but the sound??? Everyone who has sat in front of my system, and I will venture your systems as well, has said "This is better than live."  It truly sounds better than almost anything I have ever heard live, drunk or sober, and that is not a boast, it is just the way it comes out.  I know I have not sat in front of an intimate jazz performance, OK, I could imagine that as the ultimate, but otherwise, get outta here with that article.   

[vegasdave]

I agree. However, the emotional response is greater at a live concert, imo.

[Napalm]

[...] One point in the piece I cannot begin to agree with---that live music is the standard against which systems must be judged---is contrary to nearly every concert experience I have had. [...]

Depends on whether it's acoustic or amplified.

My home system with a Diana Krall CD sounded vastly better than Diana live amplified in The Centre In The Square. And I did the check right after getting home, with fresh memories, and wife agreed too.

But there's no friggin' way my home system would ever sound even close to a live, non-amplified violin or full sized symphonic orchestra. Or chamber jazz ensemble.

Nap. 

[James Tanner]

Memo: To All Bryston Customers
Subject: Customer Review 7B SST-2

June 2010
        
THAT LITTLE ² MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

Dear Bryston,

I recently had the opportunity to sell my pair of Bryston 7B SST mono-block amplifiers, which in turn enabled me to acquire a pair of the brand new Bryston 7B SST² mono-blocks.

It's truly amazing what a difference this little ² makes.  To start with it makes my Quad 2509 ESL speakers sound much more "robust" than before, and the sound stage appears to be both wider and higher.  This is all the more remarkable because the Quad electrostatic speakers are generally considered to be relatively "dainty", but now not only is this "daintiness" maintained, but when the music requires it they can burst out in full Wagnerian or Verdi opera choruses.

These new Bryston 7B SST² mono-block amplifiers are undoubtedly among the most musical, and at the same time, most "robust" amplifying devices available anywhere in the world.  It seems to me that everyone in the market for a new, or replacement, amplifier should at least listen to these units before they make a final purchase decision, because if they don't, they may be very sorry when it is too late.

Congratulations Bryston, and especially Stuart Taylor (the designer of these amplifiers), for a job extremely well done!


Peter from California

[95Dyna]

So true!

I still have not figured out what an audiophile is 

Be well...

It's a disease.  One who suffers from it is known as an "audiophiliac".  It can lead to other maladies such as "audio ad infinitius" which causes its bearer to relentlessly chase after the wind.

BTW, I've had my 7B SST2's w/new transformer and capacitors for exactly one year now and totally agree with the other posters who have them.