[GaryArthur]

One thing to note is that if you purchased a latter model SST (late 2008 or old stock in early 2009) you would have the SST2 internals with the SST badging.  SO in such cases an SST will sound exactly like an SST/2. 

GaryArthur - could this be your situation?

You bring up an interesting point regarding Bryston and model changes. For example, the earliest models of the 28B-SST did not have the toroidal transformer made by Plitron whereas the later 28B-SST's had the improved transformer, improved power switch, caps etc... I'm not sure if there was any difference between a late model 28B-SST and a 28B-SST^2. The early models of the 7B-SST^2, I believe did not have the new Plitron transformer and the later models of the 7B-SST^2 do.

However, my 4B-SST^2 has a Dec 2009 manufacture date and I believe my 4B-SST was made sometime in 2005. I'll check on the exact date when I get back to Vegas. Still my solo observation was that there was little if any sonic difference between the two. I'll do some more comparing soon. Maybe even bring some friends over for a double blind test.

By the way is Bryson ever going to put the Plitron transformer in the 4B-SST^2?

Regards,
Gary

[James Tanner]

Hi Gary,

By Torus Transformer I assume you mean the new designed transformers that optimizes the instantanious current draw. If so that type of transformer really only applies as the amplifiers get larger. So the 2B 3B 9B 4B 6B power ranges really are not relevent to this type of transformer design.

james

[GaryArthur]

Hi Gary,

By Torus Transformer I assume you mean the new designed transformers that optimizes the instantanious current draw. If so that type of transformer really only applies as the amplifiers get larger. So the 2B 3B 9B 4B 6B power ranges really are not relevent to this type of transformer design.

james

James,
That's exactly what I was talking about. When I mated the 28B-SST^2 to my Martin Logan CLX's it was and is magic.  Every corpuscle in the CLX's comes alive no matter what the volume. For a big amp it is great. The 4B's are already pretty nimble so possibly less room to improve.

Gary

[werd]

You bring up an interesting point regarding Bryston and model changes. For example, the earliest models of the 28B-SST did not have the toroidal transformer made by Plitron whereas the later 28B-SST's had the improved transformer, improved power switch, caps etc... I'm not sure if there was any difference between a late model 28B-SST and a 28B-SST^2. The early models of the 7B-SST^2, I believe did not have the new Plitron transformer and the later models of the 7B-SST^2 do.

However, my 4B-SST^2 has a Dec 2009 manufacture date and I believe my 4B-SST was made sometime in 2005. I'll check on the exact date when I get back to Vegas. Still my solo observation was that there was little if any sonic difference between the two. I'll do some more comparing soon. Maybe even bring some friends over for a double blind test.

By the way is Bryson ever going to put the Plitron transformer in the 4B-SST^2?

Regards,
Gary

Having owned a 4Bsst and a 4Bsst/2 at the same time i can tell you the biggest upgrade are the Torus or Bryston bit power conditioning with the 4B - i also own rm20. Unlike everywhere else in life you want steroids in audio playback. The Torus is a massive steroid injection in playback. The power recovery of the Torus with the 4B is unbelievable. In fact with any amp.  I have a 120 watt blue circle that stomped all over my 4Bs when used with the Torus and the 4Bs out of the wall. Big power is all about power recovery imo. So if you treat your AC with a component like the Torus or Bryston bit it reduces the amount of power you need in amps imo. This is how a 120 watt amp can beat a 300 watt amp.

However the 4B in the Torus it stomped all over my BC amp. Its just nite and day.

[vegasdave]

Interesting findings. You got me interested in a Torus now!

[Deftone]

Yet to have an audtion with the 4bsst2 connected to fhe Torus/Bit and connected directly to the wall outlets.Will the difference be noticable?

[larevoj]

Yes, it is very noticeable - However, its a costly upgrade for the performance gain. 

[skunark]

I would say a dedicated outlet would be a reasonable bang for the buck for an initial upgrade, then add power conditioning next when funds are available.   

I do notice it with the sources and it's a huge difference with reducing noise in the picture for my power hungry plasma TV.  So if you can't afford one or more for the entire system, then at least get one for the sources.

[Levi]

Congrats on your new 4B!   

Heat generation is not a major concern.  It is the use of eastern Electric DAC as a preamplifier  is. 

EE DAC is a great sounding DAC.  It would make a horrible preamplifier. 

After having debated back and forth between an Ice-amp based and Bryston, the 4B SST2 won. I am so very excited, and I just wanted to share it with everyone here. I have been a lurker on this subforum for the most part. This is my first Bryston gear.

Have a couple of questions though.
- How hot do these amps get? They will be in a closed cabinet with passive ventilation holes at the back. I can add a thermostat/fan setup at the back in heat builds up fast.
- For now I am planning to connect this directly to a EE minimax DAC, with no preamp in the loop. The preamp is still in the works... Will this create any problems or damage the amp in any way?

Thanks!

[Deftone]

By the way my 4b2 is connected directly to the wall outlet 20amp dedicated line.The 26,da1 &. cd1to the hydra 6.

[werd]

I would say a dedicated outlet would be a reasonable bang for the buck for an initial upgrade, then add power conditioning next when funds are available.   

I do notice it with the sources and it's a huge difference with reducing noise in the picture for my power hungry plasma TV.  So if you can't afford one or more for the entire system, then at least get one for the sources.

I am so impressed, i finally got you trained 

[skunark]

I am so impressed, i finally got you trained 

[nocrapman]

Congrats on your new 4B!   

Heat generation is not a major concern.  It is the use of eastern Electric DAC as a preamplifier  is. 

EE DAC is a great sounding DAC.  It would make a horrible preamplifier.

Thanks!
This thing rocks!
A huge upgrade over the NAD!
Makes the speakers sound much larger than they really are.
I am hooked...

Could you clarify your comment about the EE DAC though?

[Levi]

It is designed to sound good as a dac. Don't use it as a preamp.

[nocrapman]

It is designed to sound good as a dac. Don't use it as a preamp.

Well I keep the audio knob fixed at maximum... and use the SB touch volume control.
Still looking for a good pre-amp to add to this system. Debating tubes vs SS.

[vegasdave]

Thanks!
This thing rocks!
A huge upgrade over the NAD!
Makes the speakers sound much larger than they really are.
I am hooked...

Could you clarify your comment about the EE DAC though?