[HooStat]

If power is not an issue, what would be the differences among these different amps?  I am a bryston fan and I have a 9BST (THX) 5 channel amp that I really like.  But I don't need a 5 channel amp, so I am looking at getting a good 2 channel one.  I am curious as to what the differences are among these amps from an end user perspective?  Very subtle?  We listen mostly at low to medium volumes with full-range Dynaudio speakers that are 4 ohm (pretty flat 4-6 ohm everywhere except below 100 Hz where it ranges from 5 to 15 ohms).  Just wondering what people think of these different options, aside from power.  And if James can comment on any of the technical differences, that would be helpful. (Note, the 2blppro is probably more what I am looking at since I will be using balanced inputs.)

[alexone]

HooStat,

maybe a bit out of topic but did you ever try to biamp your speakers? if yes, how did it sound?

al.

[HooStat]

They are not biampable. Would be a perfect application for the 9B though. 

[James Tanner]

Hi,

The 2B-LP is an older design and is 60 watts and available only with balanced inputs. The 2B SST2 is a newer design and is 100 watts per channel and has both Balanced and RCA connectors. The 3BSST2 is more power again at 150 watts and has both balanced and RCA inputs.

A lot will depend on the impedance curve of the speaker as the 3B can drive more current into the load at lower impedances than the 2B SST or LP.

james

[rob80b]

Hi Hostat

As I mentioned over at the Dyn forums ( if I may repeat myself) I’m running a 4BSST with my Dynaudio Special 25s, to get the most from your Sapphires I would definitely look into at least a 3BSST, a 4BSST would even be better.
Having owned a 2BLP, 3BNRB, 3BST and then the 4BSST, each step was an audible improvement, but the most obvious progress for me was in the highs which I attribute to the newer output transistors in the SSTs, also general consensus is that as you move up in power output with Bryston amps so does your enjoyment at listening at lower levels. And as James has mentioned numerous times the larger amps give you power reserves on dynamic music material, which can greatly exceed the rated power output so that there is an ease of presentation which lower wattage amps cannot compete with at higher volumes.
For comparisons I also have a Bryston BP60, which is basically a 2B and pre in one box and have done direct comparisons with the BP25/4BSST, which was really no contest with either my Dynaudio Special 25s or Contour 1.3MKIIs, with more efficient speakers a 2BSST would probably be ok, but Dyns love power, even at low volumes to come alive.
(FYI, prior to the BP60 I picked up a 2BLP but felt the the BP60 fared much better.)
Again, my choice if you stick with Bryston, would be at a minimum the 3BSST because of the Esotar tweeter in the Sapphires, which is extremely revealing and would benefit the most because of the improvements implemented in the SST series over your 9BST even though their power output is similar.


Hope this helps.

Robert

[rob80b]

And just to add if you may ask?
The newer amps add that touch of realism, from the natural resolved highs, midrange and base making that musical investment in your Sapphires all the more worthwhile and appreciated by bringing out their potential.

Robert

[HooStat]

Thanks Robert.  Your comments are very much appreciated and I have taken them very seriously.  Probably the best comparison available out there and I have read them several times.  Thanks very much for posting them. 

I am coming to the opinion that smaller is better for a variety of reasons.  Hence, I am trying to figure out of the 2Bsst or sst2 (or even the 2B lp) has any advantages over the 3B.  I guess that is my real question -- what are the benefits of the smaller amps?  I would think that they operate at lower distortion and the circuits are less complicated.  But I don't really know. 

[rob80b]

Thanks Robert.  Your comments are very much appreciated and I have taken them very seriously.  Probably the best comparison available out there and I have read them several times.  Thanks very much for posting them. 

I am coming to the opinion that smaller is better for a variety of reasons.  Hence, I am trying to figure out of the 2Bsst or sst2 (or even the 2B lp) has any advantages over the 3B.  I guess that is my real question -- what are the benefits of the smaller amps?  I would think that they operate at lower distortion and the circuits are less complicated.  But I don't really know.

Hi HooStat

Years ago there was a founded argument in choosing a smaller amp, my first Bryston was a 2BLP back in the eighties and was a lot sweeter sounding than the 3B and higher which sounded harsh in comparison, but needing power to run my Celestions SL6Ss (82db sensitivity) I later moved on to a 3BNRB and then an ST.
That argument is no longer valid as I believe Bryston seriously addressed the issue with the SST series where a 28B sounds as sweet as the smaller amps with no loss in upper resolution.
In my direct experience, my 4BSST is much smoother and more resolving than my BP60, and a long way from the 2BLP which now sounds harsh in comparison.
James can correct me but I believe their best designed input and output circuit designs are only implemented in the 3B and up although the 2BSST has gotten excellent reviews.
Again remember with the Dyns more is the accepted approach to getting the best out of their performance.

Just to quote myself from 1 May 2010

"This was in regards to the treble on the Dynaudio Special 25s."

"I did some swapping around last night and put my little Bryston B60 integrated (60 watts) through its paces by inserting it where the Bryston BP25/4BSST are.
I used Feist’s  “The Reminder” for the session as some tracks have been recorded fairly hot in the treble, the source was the Bryston BCD-1, with the BP25/4BSST her voice comes through sharp, clear and beautifully extended, now normally a smaller amp should be sweeter but the B60 just didn’t work, base and midrange worked but the treble on some tracks were down right irritable. Now I’m not sure if it came down to the pre-amp section in the B60 or the amp section, also I used a pair of Audioquest type 4 as opposed to the Canare  4S11 cables on the 4BSST, I hate cable debates.
It may be just that the Esotar tweeters like power, or Brystons SST power amps are really that good (probably) but the conclusion was that the 25s indeed are quite sensitive to upstream configurations. The 1.3MKIIs with the B60 was a totally different experience but the Special 25s and the Bryston BP25/4BSST are IMHO just about perfect, smooth sailing all the way."


Robert

[rob80b]

Sorry HooStat, one more thing.

I was also under the misconception, thinking smaller is better as are still many others when discussing Bryston amps, and sat on the fence for quite awhile. But in terms of the increase in overall musical enjoyment I have no regrets moving to the SST series and a more powerful amp (except for size and weight) for higher and lower volume listening.

Robert

[servingko]

I have an SP1.7/4BSST2 combo and a B60SST and as much as I like the B60SST, there really is no contest at any volume level.  Having said that, I could certainly live with the B60SST but the difference isn't subtle in my system and I am not running my speakers full range as they are augmented by a pair of Revel B15a's.  I owned a pair of 2BSST's for a while and have to say that in my system at lower volumes they are still my favorite Bryston amps, but they just didn't have enough power for me.

I have not yet demo'ed the new 7BSST2 or the 28B's in my system and have been avoiding the opportunity telling myself that I don't need that much power.   If we make our numbers and I get my full bonus this year I will most likely be spending a little time off with the 7's.

[HooStat]

"James can correct me but I believe their best designed input and output circuit designs are only implemented in the 3B and up although the 2BSST has gotten excellent reviews."

This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for (thanks again Robert).  If James can confirm this and/or expand on this, it would be helpful.

[James Tanner]

"James can correct me but I believe their best designed input and output circuit designs are only implemented in the 3B and up although the 2BSST has gotten excellent reviews."

This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for (thanks again Robert).  If James can confirm this and/or expand on this, it would be helpful.

Correct sir

james