BP 1.5

drummermitchell · « **on:** 20 Jul 2010, 01:48 am »

Quite curious about the BP 1.5,does anybody own one, and would really like to know did you audition other PH-stages before deciding on the 1.5.

vegasdave · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Jul 2010, 11:02 pm »

I believe Elizabeth does.

drummermitchell · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 03:18 am »

Thanks Vegas,I might see if my Audio dealer has one and I can compare(at home) with my Allnic.
I want it to be the last PH upgrade

..

Elizabeth · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 04:09 am »

Hello,
I do own a Bryston 1.5 phono. I have owned (recently) Audio Research Ph-1 (average, sold) Audio Research PH-2 (nice, balanced in out, sitting here) Audio Research Sp-10 (over hyped, tube dependent, sold) Audio Research Sp-15 (pretty good tubed phon section, currently temporarily my second phono stage)
The Bryston 1.5 is exceptionally clear, warm sound with my Benz Glider on a Rega P5. Would I buy it again? yes. If you have the power supply already, it is a decent value. If you have to buy the supply too... go for some others..
I DO have to say I bought one 1.5, then ordered a second. The second one's serial number was consecutive after the first one. BUT the second one had a better sound. I do not know why. I actually decided I would be constantly disappointed listening to the first one, and so I returned it and kept just one, when I WAS going to keep two. I am now using the AR SP-15 temporarily for a second phono stage.
Also, the first 1.5 had a front face with squared off ends, and the second had the bevelled ends like later stuff. I have no idea why the two 1.5's were different.
More of the story. I bought the first one, Then when I returned another item I did not like, I used the money to order a second Bryston 1.5 I asked the dealer to tell the factory I wanted the MC input to be 100 ohms. Anyway, I get the second 1.5 and after using them a bit, realize the second one just sounds 'better'. If I did not have BOTH, I could never have said anything was not great about the first one. Just the second one had a warmer, nicer sound. I had the dealer send back the first one to ask to adjust the Mc impedance. Bryston's US service center sent it BACK saying it is not changable. I decided, as I could hear the difference in the two phono stages, to return the first one. I just knew I would always be unhappy that one was better sounding to me! I actually had it for awhile, so I offered the dealer a 'restocking fee' to take it back. He did. I was happy, he was happy.
I tell the whole story to note that the same chunk of parts can be different. They should have sounded exactly the same. I tried every different combo, swapping cables, cords, carts..(also checking the internal jumpers) the second one just had an edge over the first in a way I cannot explain. I was just better sounding TO ME.
The Bryston Phono is worth the money if you have the power supply already. It has little adjustability, and only one set of inputs, with a MC MM switch. (I use it in MC mode) but does have capacitance switches on back, and is always in standby if not on. I like it.
I am a clarity, and good high frequency freak, With PRAT. So if you want these things, the Bryston is great.
Sorry I am NOT so good at doing a review.

drummermitchell · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 04:47 am »

Thanks for the reply Elizabeth,definately strange that the first one sounded different,
especially after all the changeouts.
The Allnic I have is the 1200(tubes)I do like it,BUT,I want,need,must have, a major step up.
A step up where I can say,That's it,were done(I hope).
I do have the MPS-2 power supply,so I'll save on that.
Have to get one home and audition,I enjoyed your review.
WHat qualities does does the 1.5 have that you preferred over the tube PH's,I was looking at the Arc Ref-2+PH-7.
I'll see if my dealer(audio)

,has one in that I can compare to my 1200,just to hear the different qualities.Thanks for the reply.

rahman · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 10:25 am »

Hi DM

Silly question, perhaps, but have you considered going up the Allnic line - i.e the H-1500 or H-3000? Seems to me there could be a significant improvement with the use of LCR RIAA in these models.

Did you compare the H-1200 with any other models before settling on it btw?

I'm also looking at my "final" phono, but require multi input and EQ, which narrows the field somewhat (good in terms of reducing the range of possible options (e.g Arc Ref 2, AMR 77, Wavestream Archival etc), bad in terms of price!).

Cheers
Adrian

drummermitchell · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 01:15 pm »

Hi Adrian,I did consider the 1500(used)good user reviews on her and the 3000.
I always have the thought in the back of my mind(if she needed repaired)who,where could I take her to.
Comparison wise,I only had a PH card in my prepro(AV-8)to compare,and that was superb emotional ride.
Perhap(Hammertone Audio)can fix me up with a home audition,and perhaps trade in the 1200.They used to be a couple of hr.drive from here and now he's in BC.
That might be an option also.Will call AudioArk in a few hrs. to see if they have the 1.5 and E-mail Hammertone.
Just a bit of fun shopping around.

vegasdave · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 06:49 pm »

Did you consider having the phono stage internally in your preamp?

vegasdave · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 06:50 pm »

The internal MM phono stage in my BP6 sounds awesome. Very detailed and dynamic. Pretty quiet too.

drummermitchell · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 09:56 pm »

Vegas,I'm sure she does,for me I really like separates,whether it is pre,amps,dacs,ph's ect.
Maybe if I didn't have so many separates,I'd have some breathing room(musically that is).
All's I need now is a separate room,that's seems the hardest to aquire,perhaps next year.

Ryanz · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 10:04 pm »

Quote from: drummermitchell on 21 Jul 2010, 09:56 pm

Vegas,I'm sure she does,for me I really like separates,whether it is pre,amps,dacs,ph's ect.
Maybe if I didn't have so many separates,I'd have some breathing room(musically that is).
All's I need now is a separate room,that's seems the hardest to aquire,perhaps next year.

Why do you like seperates? Versatililty, aesthetics........

drummermitchell · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Jul 2010, 10:52 pm »

I like separates because if one amp needs service(I have 3 more)or I can still use my system.
Easy for upgrading(which I have)4's-7's-28s,or I can upgrade,pre or whatever.
Less chance of interferance compared to an all in one.
Personally I believe separates sound way better than all in one.
Looks wise,I'd like to see 5X28s,just because

,I do like power,whether Torus(s) or amplification,
I went overkill on my dedicated lines+sub panel(80a) for the two Torus(S),
I'm definately at ease with lots of reserve power and so is the music

,one of my best investments are the Torus(s).

Ryanz · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 12:06 am »

Quote from: drummermitchell on 21 Jul 2010, 10:52 pm

I like separates because if one amp needs service(I have 3 more)or I can still use my system.
Easy for upgrading(which I have)4's-7's-28s,or I can upgrade,pre or whatever.
Less chance of interferance compared to an all in one.
Personally I believe separates sound way better than all in one.
Looks wise,I'd like to see 5X28s,just because ,I do like power,whether Torus(s) or amplification,
I went overkill on my dedicated lines+sub panel(80a) for the two Torus(S),
I'm definately at ease with lots of reserve power and so is the music ,one of my best investments are the Torus(s).

I agree. I think A/V receivers are a perfect example. With them trying to fit so many components into one metal box, something's got to give. I spent months trying to find the perfect A/V receiver and I've come to the conclusion that there's no such thing. I should have gone with seperates.

drummermitchell · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 12:35 am »

I still like my Arcam(AV-8),haven't tried the SP2,but since the 26,no comparison.
same with my Arcam dv 139,she was doing double duty(music and movies)no slouch at either.
Then auditioned the BCD-1,end of story,actually to my ears she plays music better than an 8000.00cdp.
With the 3.0 coming out,I wonder how close she'll be to the 26,I have a feeling I'll have to get a preamp that has a passthru

.,as I have very little space for swapping cables+I'm a tad over 50issh

.

vegasdave · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 12:39 am »

Quote from: drummermitchell on 21 Jul 2010, 10:52 pm

I like separates because if one amp needs service(I have 3 more)or I can still use my system.
Easy for upgrading(which I have)4's-7's-28s,or I can upgrade,pre or whatever.
Less chance of interferance compared to an all in one.
Personally I believe separates sound way better than all in one.
Looks wise,I'd like to see 5X28s,just because ,I do like power,whether Torus(s) or amplification,
I went overkill on my dedicated lines+sub panel(80a) for the two Torus(S),
I'm definately at ease with lots of reserve power and so is the music ,one of my best investments are the Torus(s).

A phono stage is not likely to go out on you. But, if that's how you want it, more power to ya.

Another advantage to the BP 1.5 is adjustable gain and adjustable capacitance.

I prefer internal phono stages. Less wires to deal with and everything plugs right into the board.

rahman · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 09:40 am »

Quote from: drummermitchell on 21 Jul 2010, 01:15 pm

Hi Adrian,I did consider the 1500(used)good user reviews on her and the 3000.
I always have the thought in the back of my mind(if she needed repaired)who,where could I take her to.
Comparison wise,I only had a PH card in my prepro(AV-8)to compare,and that was superb emotional ride.
Perhap(Hammertone Audio)can fix me up with a home audition,and perhaps trade in the 1200.They used to be a couple of hr.drive from here and now he's in BC.
That might be an option also.Will call AudioArk in a few hrs. to see if they have the 1.5 and E-mail Hammertone.
Just a bit of fun shopping around.

Hi DM

Yep - the journey can be as fun as getting to your final destination - so enjoy the shopping around and be sure to let us know how you get on.

Re: Allnic - agreed - both the 1500 and 3000 are getting good write-ups - so would be worth checking out - particularly if Hammertone is not far away (and I've only heard positive things about DB).

Cheers
Adrian

mike678 · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 11:05 pm »

I have gotten to play with the Alnic, Einsteins, Halcros, MBL, Pass labs, and many many more. While they all seemed to do one thing better than the 1.5 (Alnic was great at soundstage size,for instance, but slow sounding. The Anti-Prat.) the 1.5, for me, is a more total package. It does everything well, in proper balance.

I am not speaking simply of tonal balance here, since I use speaker management hardware in my setups I can adjust for that. I am speaking of things you cant eq for, dynamic behavior (attack and decay), clarity (lack of distortion), and ability to get along with a cartridge. The Bryston does exceptionally well across the board.

In my personal setup I have a Wavestream tube phono, and the 1.5. The Wavestream has a bit more depth and space and a touch of richness tonally. A wonderful piece....but....the 1.5 is ALMOST as good there and....cleaner. I can peel back the layers of the music just a bit easier on the 1.5. Which one I listen to is a matter of what state I am in emotionally!

drummermitchell · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Jul 2010, 11:20 pm »

Nice one there Mike678,that's a great way of listening to music,PEEL BACK THE LAYERS.
And it is true on how a person feels emotionally,I think I need A HALF DOZEN PCS.
I sort of peel it back,only from the bottom end up,then the rhythm section,vocals,lead instruments ect.
Some recordings are so bad you just listen to the whole song,where alot of times it's a superb recording and
you can take your pick of each instrument and sail away emotionally on that or the whole song(depending if
all tracks are recorded as best as they can be.I find that not to easy to come by.

drummermitchell · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Jul 2010, 12:41 am »

Just got off the phone from my dealer,no 1.5.I never ever remember one ever being in there.
That has got to be over the last 5-8yrs,hmmm.The always had 3-4s,sp-1,sp-2,26,BCD-1 ect,NO 1.5.
I always try to hear before I buy SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,maybe it's hammertime or Agon.

vegasdave · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Jul 2010, 01:19 am »

Well, that sucks. I don't believe I've seen a BP 1.5 on Audiogon. But, never say never.