[James Tanner]

Hi Folks,

Got this today from a reviewer about a coming review on a Bryston amp:

"James

Publication of the Bryston XXX review is scheduled for next Monday, September 13. I have attached a PDF of the latest version.  Great product. I sure wish I could afford a pair of the Bryston 28B 1000 watt monoblocks as reference amps for the lab.

Bryston has the Lowest distortion I have ever measured!"

[BrysTony]

Excellent!! 

[larevoj]

Good to hear more are taking Bryston as their reference amp for review purposes 

[Viajero5000]

James, can you kindly clarify what exactly the metric 'lowest distortion' captures and does not capture?  I'm a bit confused by this term as I have heard amps which for example (with my speakers) more realistically reproduce the harmonic texture and 'body' of an instrument or have a more tightly focused soundstage than my Brystons, yet the latter amps have lower distortion.  How are things like harmonic accuracy and soundstage 'focus' measured?

[James Tanner]

James, can you kindly clarify what exactly the metric 'lowest distortion' captures and does not capture?  I'm a bit confused by this term as I have heard amps which for example (with my speakers) more realistically reproduce the harmonic texture and 'body' of an instrument or have a more tightly focused soundstage than my Brystons, yet the latter amps have lower distortion.  How are things like harmonic accuracy and soundstage 'focus' measured?

I think he is just very impressed with the fact that our amplifiers are so accurate when it comes 'to signal in ... signal out'. The amplifier that changes the signal the least wins in his opinion. Whether that neutrality is important is up to each listener I guess.

james

[Viajero5000]

I understand the point that a Bryston amp will alter an incoming signal the least... i guess what i'm trying to figure is why an amp that alters a signal more sound more 'realistic' in certain areas of presentation? if that makes any sense 

[JRace]

Whether or not you* feel that an amp who alters (distorts) the signal more presents a more realistic sound has a lot to do with your entire system, your preferences and bias, and your knowledge of what 'real' sounds like.

(* by you I mean all of us, and not Viajero in particular)

My personal opinion is the same as this reviewer. I look for my amplifiers to do nothing more than amplify, and I look to the speakers to alter the sound to my preference. What is important then, is the relationship between the amp and speakers.

For example, I thoroughly enjoyed the sound of the Bryston 9BSSt2 with both MartinLogan Summit X, and with Thiel MSC1, but found it too sharp with the ARE Audio Light Roasts - which have a much more raw treble presentation. They sounded considerably smoother with my Marantz PM8003 integrated, which was great with the Summit X's, and not so great with the Thiels.

[James Tanner]

Whether or not you* feel that an amp who alters (distorts) the signal more presents a more realistic sound has a lot to do with your entire system, your preferences and bias, and your knowledge of what 'real' sounds like.

(* by you I mean all of us, and not Viajero in particular)

My personal opinion is the same as this reviewer. I look for my amplifiers to do nothing more than amplify, and I look to the speakers to alter the sound to my preference. What is important then, is the relationship between the amp and speakers.

For example, I thoroughly enjoyed the sound of the Bryston 9BSSt2 with both MartinLogan Summit X, and with Thiel MSC1, but found it too sharp with the ARE Audio Light Roasts - which have a much more raw treble presentation. They sounded considerably smoother with my Marantz PM8003 integrated, which was great with the Summit X's, and not so great with the Thiels.

Not to get off topic but how do you like the Thiel MSC-1

james

[vegasdave]

Hi Folks,

Got this today from a reviewer about a coming review on a Bryston amp:

"James

Publication of the Bryston XXX review is scheduled for next Monday, September 13. I have attached a PDF of the latest version.  Great product. I sure wish I could afford a pair of the Bryston 28B 1000 watt monoblocks as reference amps for the lab.

Bryston has the Lowest distortion I have ever measured!"

Which publication?

[JRace]

Not to get off topic but how do you like the Thiel MSC-1

james

They were fantastic! Very clean and detailed, can play exceptionally loud and rock-solid imaging. A much larger sweet spot than my ML's. But also much heaver and harder to move around - which is a big drawback when you are a reviewer!. loved having a matched 5 speaker set, and would consider these without question for a movie only setup. Preferred my ML's for music playback, but I am partial to panels/dipoles.

The SS2 smart sub I tried was among the best I have ever heard, and the only sub that I would be happy with for both music and movies.

[James Tanner]

They were fantastic! Very clean and detailed, can play exceptionally loud and rock-solid imaging. A much larger sweet spot than my ML's. But also much heaver and harder to move around - which is a big drawback when you are a reviewer!. loved having a matched 5 speaker set, and would consider these without question for a movie only setup. Preferred my ML's for music playback, but I am partial to panels/dipoles.

The SS2 smart sub I tried was among the best I have ever heard, and the only sub that I would be happy with for both music and movies.

Did you just finish doing a review on them?





james

[JRace]

Yup!

Had 5 MSC-1's and the SS2. Review is up at Secrets....I am looking forward to getting more Thiels in my space...although from a unpacking/repacking perspective my back doesn't agree

[James Tanner]

Yup!

Had 5 MSC-1's and the SS2. Review is up at Secrets....I am looking forward to getting more Thiels in my space...although from a unpacking/repacking perspective my back doesn't agree

I have that very pair at home now - giving them a good listen. Give me the link to the review.

james

[James Tanner]

Hi Folks,

Got this today from a reviewer about a coming review on a Bryston amp:

"James

Publication of the Bryston XXX review is scheduled for next Monday, September 13. I have attached a PDF of the latest version.  Great product. I sure wish I could afford a pair of the Bryston 28B 1000 watt monoblocks as reference amps for the lab.

Bryston has the Lowest distortion I have ever measured!"

REVIEW:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/907-bryston-3b-sst2-stereo-power-amplifier.html

[BrysTony]

REVIEW:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/907-bryston-3b-sst2-stereo-power-amplifier.html

Excellent review and some good tips on music.   

[vegasdave]

I agree.