[Greyfox]

Hello everyone,

First post. Great to connect with Bryston enthusiasts. I am hoping to join you soon, once I decide between the B-60 SST integrated amp or the B-100.

I have read through all the posted pages last night when I discovered this site (all seventy six - it was late night...) but didn't see any comparisons of the two amps on this forum. I am hoping that some of you out there might provide me with some opinions.

I will be running it into Quad 11l speakers (rated at 86db at 6 ohms) The room is about 12X 28.

In consideration to my neighbours, I typically don't listen to my music too loud.

What I am looking for from the amp is great separation and imaging.

There are pros and cons to both amps.

I like the B-60 small form factor and the full mechanical switching. I don't like that I can't select/switch source from remote.

I like the B-100's newer design and that you can access more controls via a remote.

Notwithstanding the 20 year warranty, I do wonder about the software-based switching and whether that will be more susceptible to glitches, software being what it is.

I am tempted by the B-100 because of the pros listed above and also because I suspect the 100 watts will give me more flexibility down the road. Having said that, I've never had high powered amplifiers before (I had my classic NAD 3020 for 20 years until I moved to the 50 watt 320BEE) so I might well be able to get by on the B-60 for the next twenty years.

I also wonder whether the extra wattage of the B-100 might give more "oomph" to the dynamics in the music, even at lower levels.

I am hoping that some of you out there might have had the opportunity to listen to both amps and might be able to provide me with your perspective on some of the questions above.

Thanks so much everyone!

[1ZIP]

I've had a B-60 for years and is was fine in a small 12 x12 room but I moved it to a larger room as part of a second system.  It's driving a pair of Paradigm Studio 20's and frankly the B-60 just isn't enough.  I'm seriously considering a B100 as a replacement.  If I had to do it again I would definitely have gotten the B100 instead of the B60.

[Stu Pitt]

I've heard both side by side in a small room with relatively easy to drive speakers.  Under those conditions, they sounded identical to my ears.  My conditions at home are very similar - smaller room and the same speakers and CD player I heard them through.  Had I bought difficult speakers and/or had a larger room, I'm sure there would have been a difference.  I couldn't be happier with my B60.  It has enough inputs, and all I really need on a remote is volume and mute.  If I need more power down the road, I can always buy an external amp and use the B60 as a pre-amp.  The B60's pre-amp section is basically a BP-6.

The B100 has more inputs, can simultaneously have an internal phono stage and DAC, and has a full function remote.  It'll drive more difficult speakers easier, and will fill a bigger room easier.

60 Bryston watts go a long way.  My B60 will go far louder than I can comfortably listen to.  Its never clipped.

I bought my B60 for the reasons I listed above, and due to the fact that I can't afford a B100    Had I had B100 money, it would have been a harder choice.  I'm more of a minimalist, so I'd proably have gone with a B100 anyway.

I owned an NAD 304 and moved on to a 320BEE before I bought my B60.  Its a night and day difference between them.  The B60 is worth every penny of the increase and then some.  Its easily the best piece of audio gear I've ever bought.
 

[Napalm]

[...]
I will be running it into Quad 11l speakers (rated at 86db at 6 ohms) The room is about 12X 28.
[...]

Given your speakers characteristics and the large room size I'd say go with as much power as you can afford (even if you don't turn it loud). Those speakers are a difficult load. You may also consider something beefier like a BP6 +  4B. (for a 50% price premium over the B100). That's what I did for a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 in a room about the same size. I don't listen loud either but the speakers are difficult to drive (they dip to 2-3 ohms in bass region). A bigger power supply in the amp is welcome in this case.

Don't fear "glitches" or "problems". Bryston amps are extremely well made and backed by a 20 years warranty. In the unlikely event that you will have an issue, Bryston will gladly fix it (they are also known for exceptional customer support).

Nap. 

[Greyfox]

Thank you everyone for the responses so far.

Today is the deadline as it is the last day before the price increase so I appreciate your comments.

What are people's thoughts on the differences in the preamps? Is the preamp in the B-100 noticeably better?

Thanks again.

Greyfox

[1ZIP]

Can't give you any comparison info.  But there is nothing worse than buyers remorse...go for the B100!

[math-geek]

I owned a Bryston 2B with a PS Audio preamp and an NAD c320BEE at the same time and the Bryston sounded much, much more powerful.  The B60-SST is probably better than my old 2B was and it was damn good.  I plan on comparing a B100 to my Krell 400xi this summer to see how it comes out.

I am not making a Bryston Krell comparison here but I want to let you know that the Bryston B60-SST will pound on the NAD c320BEE any day of the week!  Not so much in "loudness" but in bass control, treble clarity, midrange quality and liveliness.

I have also owned a Bryston 3B, Proceed AMP2, YBA Integre' DT, YBA YA 201, Cambridge Audio 840A and the "baby" Bryston acquitted itself more than quite well.

If it is within your means I would recommend the B100 over the B60 for the extra power to grow with, you will not live in the same accommodations forever.  BTW, I love my remote control!

There is a review online by Phillip Beaudette but I would not put much stock into it because every other amp he has reviewed has been his "favorite"  If you like the immediacy of solid-state you will like Bryston (or Krell).

 No "warm" tube sound will be found with either of these brands.  I am not here to argue the better of the two brands but to say that they are both extremely good sounding amps to my ears.  It is because of this that I am not a fan of Plinius nor Simaudio.  They seem to be companies that want SS to be "tubey" sounding.  I like my music laid bare for what it is or isn't.

When you hear a Bryston electrify your room in a way that "warm" amps can't you will be addicted to accuracy that only the best SS can provide.

Regards,

Earl

[jaxwired]

If it were me, I'd always go with the B-100 over the B-60 simply for the extra watts.  Before I purchased my 4B, I owned a 2BSST2 which is basically the same amp in the B-100 and it sounded bloody amazing pushing my hard to drive Dyn Contours.  If you buy the B-100, you will never need anything else.  If you buy the B-60, you will need to avoid some speakers that are low effeciency.

However, with all that said, the B-60 is one sweet little amp.  I love how slim it is.  I also think it's the better preamp.  Less going on to degrade the signal.  So it's no easy decision. 

[niels]

I concur. The B100 remote control is actually all the reason you need to buy it.
I drive Martin Logan Aeon I with the B100, had it for 4 years now, and there has never been one second where I thought about replacing it.....if I win in the lottery I just might get a 4B, just for kicks, not sure I would notice a difference..