Bryston 4b sst2

[sidvee]

Gentle Members,
What are your opinions on the Bryston 4b sst2 amplifier. I have heard the older series sst and they sounded somewhat lean to me. However recently I heard the newer series sst2 at both the AP stores in Chennai and Hyd. for relatively extended periods and did not find that lean, cool characteristic apparent anymore. Online reviews also show that the new sst2 sereis has a bit of warmth that has balanced out the amp. nicely. What thinks you?
Cheers,
Sid

 

[iaudio]

Sidvee, Ajay124 would be the ideal guy to comment on this as he is quite familiar with the Bryston sound and he has also used a Cyrus amp prior to it in the same set up.

 

[sidvee]

@ iaudio, not sure if Ajay has sst or sst2. I am specifically seeking views on the sst2.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[malvai]

I had a 4bsst2 for 3 months! it is a superb amp! the only reason i did not retain it was because I wanted to simplify life and went in for an Accuphase E-460 integrated amp....

but, yes, it is superb. I found it to be as good as my (earlier amp) Krell FPB 200 (Class A) amp. It is THAT good.

 

[iaudio]

True that, Ajay has the sst not sst2. As I mentioned, he could tell you about the Bryston house sound( which I guess you have experienced already) if not the sst2 particularly.

 

[malvai]

another thing i will tell you about the 4bsst2... they seem to have some improvements to it... it definitely does not sound lean. And compared to the earlier 4bsst, it is a shade warmer and lot more lush. It retains the superb HF and the incredible LF detail....

all in all, i feel that the price it comes at is a real BARGAIN. One can spend 3x or 5x more and still not better this particular amp.

i have heard it paired with my monsters - B&W 801 S3 Matrix and the SQ was amazing... I have heard them with the Thiel CS 2.4 and they sounded amazing and I have heard them with Maggies as well and these amps do the Maggies proud as well...

though, sidvee, I have not heard them with Harbeth etc... that you would need to check out for yourself... though, I feel they would pair with your Harbeth's just as well... coz the basic sonics of the Bryston is "neutral", "clean", "detailed" and "dynamic".

 

[sidvee]

Thanks a lot Malvai. Actually I am considering the sst2 for my second setup with ATC scm 19's. Harbeths are enjoying great synergy with the SL Rg7. Yes I agree with your asessment of warmth when compared to the sst, something I experienced while listening to the Thiels and it was what I felt the sst lacked to a certain degree. I had auditioned the sst in the past with my B&W 805's and felt it to be on the cool/lean side. Will plan to spend some more time with the sst 2's and see if i can get a home audition.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[binoymehra]

For ATC , integrated amp from ATC would be the best bet.
Bryston goes well with PMC, Magnepans and Thel etc.

 

[square_wave]

Sid, You need to give the CPA-3 from acoustic portrait a try. It is a dual mono with 200 watts per side. It betters some really expensive power amps out there. I do not want to get into names here because it can become a very touchy issue.

It plays music and nothing else. I have never come across another solid state amp which "gets out of the way" like this one. If you know what I mean

 

[sidvee]

For ATC , integrated amp from ATC would be the best bet.
Bryston goes well with PMC, Magnepans and Thel etc.

Yes I have been considering the ATC integrated, but at the same time I have the Parasound JC2 preamp which I feel is a great preamp and in combination with a decent amp. am sure will make the ATC's sing. I have tried the Jc2 with my symphonic line Rg7 driving the ATC's and they sounded excellent. Anyways will audition and if they sound good then I will proceed. Also a lot of people are recommending Symphonic line integrateds (rg9, rg10) etc for the ATC. I am also considering the Ayon Triton integrated as well.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

Sid, You need to give the CPA-3 from acoustic portrait a try. It is a dual mono with 200 watts per side. It betters some really expensive power amps out there. I do not want to get into names here because it can become a very touchy issue.

It plays music and nothing else. I have never come across another solid state amp which "gets out of the way" like this one. If you know what I mean

Thanks Square, but I will need a home demo. to decide. I can get one with Bryston, not sure of AP though.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[square_wave]

Thanks Square, but I will need a home demo. to decide. I can get one with Bryston, not sure of AP though.
Cheers,
Sid

Talk to Siva. He may send you one if you can guarantee safe return shipping if it is not working out for you. Send me a PM if you want his number.

btw, what is pricing on the 4bsst2 ?

 

[longshanks]

For ATC , integrated amp from ATC would be the best bet.
.

I second this, SIA2-150 and SCM19 sounded very nice to my ears, if the source good then i guess this combo will work really well.

 

[sidvee]

btw, what is pricing on the 4bsst2 ?

US pricing $5k. Not sure of Indian pricing yet.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[ajay124]

sidvee

I don't think 'lean' is an adjective which can be used to describe a Bryston 4B SST. Personally I would call it tough, muscular, neutral and detailed. A lightly used 4B SST would be a great bargain if you can find one in the 130-150K range. I believe a new 4B SST square would be 250K+. I am a cynic by nature! I doubt whether the difference between the old and the new model is anything more than a few minor tweaks. Paying 100K more for a couple of bells and whistles only makes sense if you don't feel comfortable in buying a used amp.

Since 'Bhagwans' visit I have started believing that fine tuning the acoustics of the room and correct placement of the speakers is the most important (and usually the most neglected) part of a hifi system. Once you have a good system (in your case you have two) I don't think there is any need to keep upgrading. Earlier I used to keep assigning various qualities to my hifi components. Those qualities would keep changing with the inputs I was fed by the internet. They would also keep changing with my mood and with the seasons! Nothing had changed but my mind kept giving different cues to my ears. I am presently seeing my music system in a different light. I feel that all the components are pretty nice both individually and as a team. There is absolutely no need to change anything until one of the components stops working and cannot be repaired.

Sometimes, with some recordings, I yearn for an extra touch of lushness and color. But the Bryston's are clearly neutral. They don't do color! In the wrong set up they could give off a scent of solid state harshness which lovers of tube amps would not appreciate. Your Audio Research pre amp could probably add that extra bit of bloom if you want it. Finally I don't think it really matter whether you buy a 4B SST or a 4B SST square. What would actually matter is whether Bryston works well with the rest of your components and even more the acoustics of the r-o-o-m.

 

[avidyarthy]

^ +++++++++ 1 ....

 

[sidvee]

Thanks Ajay,
My impression of the sst was just that - my impression - and as you know by now impressions are subjective. Don't get me wrong the 4b sst is a superb amp. in its own right with that one caveat and maybe since I used tube amplification for the majority of my listening I was overtly sensitive to that characteristic. Since they are no longer made I will consider the sst2. Not sure I can find used Brystons in India though.
Anyways I fully subscribe to room acoustics - have been treating my listening rooms for the past decade or so when I bought 4 echo buster panels and treated my then listening room in the US along with 4 DIY corner bass traps. Since then I bought a whole bunch of GIK acoustic panels about 6 years ago. I have also attended many workshops in audio shows on acoustic tuning, speaker placement etc. (one memorable interaction I had was with Michael Green of Michael green audio who talks about a tuned room just as a tuned instrument). Moreover I have had quite a bit of practical use when I had a dealer friend of mine and helped him setup many clients rooms in the Greater Michigan area actually using a measurement system to calculate rt60 etc. Also when I had my current dedicated listening room built I made sure that acoustic ceiling tiles were installed along with carpeting as basic acoustic measures to control rt60.
I also agree with your upgrade theory but my take is that upgrading one component at a time gives you a great return vs. whole system upgrades and that is what I have been doing all along and plan to do so with my second system.
I also am looking forward to a home audition to make sure that synergy exists between all the components and is something I have recommended in the past to everyone.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[prem]

Hi Sidvee


When i was into big powerful amps, i preferred the JC1s to the Brystons. To my ears they were far superior. No comparison. Used ones will fit into your budget.

 

[Dr.Bass]

For ATC , integrated amp from ATC would be the best bet.
Bryston goes well with PMC, Magnepans and Thel etc.

I have heard the ATC with quite a few amps now. Yes, with a lot of power at hand one can drive it well, something like Bryston, Krell, Parasound JC will all do a good job of driving, but there is more to it than just drive.

The ATC integrated is an amp with which the SCM19 sounded almost like "made for each other". There was everything that you could look for. The "Class A" liquid smooth sound, almost zero strain, natural clean music. When things become too correct it also becomes difficult to describe the specialities. If I would have bought an SCM19 this would have been my amp. You can buy amps costing thrice the price and may actually hear much more of the typical audiophile parameters but it is not easy to get this level of synergy again. "Normal" sound is so difficult to get these days

BTW, there is a Symphonic line RG1 MK4 for sale (in India) if you are still interested.

 

[sidvee]

Hi Sidvee


When i was into big powerful amps, i preferred the JC1s to the Brystons. To my ears they were far superior. No comparison. Used ones will fit into your budget.

Thanks Prem - What is your opinion on the A21? With my JC2 as a pre this should synergize well. Of-course the JC1's will be better but the double chassis as well as lack of used 240v models is a roadblock.
Cheers,
Sid