Just bought Bryston

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 763
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 06:26 pm:

After the fiasco with Emotiva (and getting my money back) I did a lot of shopping around, and listening.

Almost ordered some more gear from Outlaw, but I visited my local dealer and he showed me some floor model Bryston Monoblocks he highly recommended.

I took them home for a "borrow" to see if I liked them. I'm keeping them.

The slam on these things is freaking unbelievable. Started them off with some Exodus to see how they handle attack and crunch. Yup... good. Now I'm listening to some Tragically Hip.

I'm going to have to turn my subs down because my little MA's are cranking so much bass.

Relevant Product Info

M.R.

Gold Member

Username: My_rantz

Australia

Post Number: 1873
Registered: Nov-05

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 07:14 pm:

Congrats David - sounds like it was meant to be. Enjoy!

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 764
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 07:20 pm:

Thanks M.R. Perhaps it was meant to be. I was really, really hesitant to buy them cause I knew nothing about them (besides them being Bryston). I usually research things obsessively before I buy them. I couldn't really go wrong, though, since I could just bring them back if I didn't like them.

Marc

Silver Member

Username: Wattsssup

Barrie, ON
Canada

Post Number: 226
Registered: Aug-06

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 07:31 pm:

Yup, congrats man. I'd imagine they'll be a bit better overall than the Emotiva you almost got. Enjoy the music.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 766
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 07:34 pm:

Thanks Marc, I took some photos tonight. I'll post 'em once I download them.

Chris H

Silver Member

Username: Hawkbilly

Nova Scotia
Canada

Post Number: 180
Registered: Jul-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 08:54 pm:

Wicked DM ! I hope you enjoy the new acquisitions.

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2576
Registered: May-05

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 09:59 pm:

David,

I'm glad everything worked out in the end. Which monos did you get? How much warantee is left? Chances are they have more than the Emotiva had.

I've been extremely happy with my B60 and have absolutely no regrets. I'm sure you'll feel the same way.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 771
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:01 pm:

Hey Stu,

I bought 2 PowerPac 120's. The warranty starts today - so I have 20 years. That was obviously a major selling point.

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2577
Registered: May-05

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:13 pm:

Bryston's 20 year warantee doesn't start on the purchase date, it starts on the Maunfacture date. There should be a 4 digit date code stamped on the back. Mine reads 3299, meaning 32nd week of 1999. The warantee ends on the 32nd week of 2019. The first two numbers are the week, the last two are the year.

Also, make sure you keep your sales receipt. Bryston's policy is anything made after 2/06 also needs to have a copy of the sales receipt from an authorized dealer.

Not to sound the wrong way, but your dealer should have been clear about this.

http://www.bryston.ca/warranty.html

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2578
Registered: May-05

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:16 pm:

"I'm going to have to turn my subs down because my little MA's are cranking so much bass."

Its amazing what some clean and honest amplification can get speakers to do.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 772
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:34 pm:

That's a good point about the warranty, Stu. I asked the dealer about that and he said it would be from date of purchase. Not sure if he didn't know better or was just telling me what I wanted to hear. Anyway, the date on the bottom of them is 04 06.

Art

Gold Member

Username: Artk

Albany, Oregon
USA

Post Number: 6591
Registered: Feb-05

Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 10:38 pm:

Awesome David...congrats and enjoy!

Gold Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 9917
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 06:41 am:

Wow, David, that was quick!

I hope you enjoy and decide how to mount/display them, have some nifty looking cables and so on.

Have fun!

http://www.bryston.ca/reviews/pp120/sp120.html

Gold Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 9918
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 06:46 am:

unbridled id

Silver Member

Username: Unbridled_id

Chicago
Usa

Post Number: 223
Registered: Mar-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 10:00 am:

I am wondering how you have them set up. Are they meant to be laid flat or something else?

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 773
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 10:06 am:

According to the Bryston website, they can't be oriented pretty much any way that suits your setup. They have mounting brackets so that you can attach them to the back of your speakers (like I'm drilling holes in my MA's...), on the wall, lay them flat on the floor, stand them up, etc, etc.

I have them sitting side by each on a shelf in my audio rack for now. They're supposed to be close the speaker they're driving in order to use the shortest speaker cable run possible.

But since I have a baby girl who's crawling now, I can't have them on the floor.

I've had them running all morning and they're not even warm to the touch, I guess thanks the crazy heat sinks on them.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 774
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 10:09 am:

Hey Nuck - to answer your question about the cables... I have a pair of nice, green AudioQuest cables feeding the amps.

The monoblocks look all business, almost retro looking. Very cool.

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1298
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 11:28 am:

Rock on David, great purchase. Those mono blocks would absolutely slam anything Emotiva ever thought of making and they come with Bryston's great service to boot. Great buy, and enjoy.

Frank Abela

Gold Member

Username: Frank_abela

Berkshire
UK

Post Number: 2806
Registered: Sep-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 12:14 pm:

David,

Congratulations on your purchase! Nice long warranty, bulletproof construction, excellent sonics. Have fun...a lot of fun! :-)

Regards,
Frank.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 775
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 12:20 pm:

I am having fun with them. Makes my music collection sound entirely different. The difference between these and my NADs is pretty remarkable. Even my wife noticed the difference right away.

Gold Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 9926
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 12:36 pm:

And that says a lot for the product, moreso about your lovely wife.

Frank S.

Bronze Member

Username: Betamax

Canada

Post Number: 25
Registered: May-07

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 04:18 pm:

Glad to hear they're working out so well for you. I'm also looking for some Bryston gear to replace my NAD 162/272.

Nothing wrong with NAD, just have a bit more cash right now (tax refund) and looking to buy something better for a lot more money.

Gold Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 9935
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 05:06 pm:

Frank, you will get a big rebate on selling the Nad kit to some deserving person who live live with and enjoy it for a long time.
now THATS a refund!
Then step up, cause you got the bug.

Sometimes I think I should build a time machine out of used pinball machine parts and get the Mac tube amps that Jan has.

In 1964 prices, of course.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 777
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 09:06 am:

Frank, the difference between NAD and Bryston sound is remarkable.

The Brystons sound clear, punchy and have tons of slam.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 778
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 05:01 pm:

Finally got around to downloading the photos from my camera... Upload

Gold Member

Username: Nuck

Post Number: 9950
Registered: Dec-04

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 07:03 pm:

They sure are funky!
Now to run them balanced, bud.
Have fun!

Frank S.

Bronze Member

Username: Betamax

Canada

Post Number: 26
Registered: May-07

Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 07:52 pm:

Nuck, I defintely have been bitten again by the bug. Fortunately, my wife keeps me in check...I could get into trouble otherwise.

David, glad to hear of the difference. I'm going to audition various Bryston gear at a dealer, but I'm in no hurry and I'll look for used/demo gear.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 780
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 09:06 am:

I really thought I couldn't afford to own Bryston until I found these nifty little monoblocks tucked away in an HT room of my dealer.

Pays to wait and look around for sure.

Bronze Member

Username: Snapcat

Post Number: 36
Registered: Oct-07

Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 01:08 pm:

Great find David!
Thanks for sharing and the pics

Frank Abela

Platinum Member

Username: Frank_abela

Berkshire
UK

Post Number: 2817
Registered: Sep-04

Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 01:44 pm:

Hey David - are those monoblocks dual purpose? Looks like you could toast some bread there... :-)

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 790
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 01:48 pm:

Ha! Unfortunately (or fortunately?) they don't hot enough to toast...

I've played them for hours on end, and they barely even get warm to the touch.

Bronze Member

Username: Hk_fan

Post Number: 12
Registered: Nov-06

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 09:46 am:

I am glad to know about this. Can anyone please tell me about Bryston 7BSST? How are they? What speakers suit them? I currently have a MA RS6.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 796
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 09:49 am:

I'm running my Brystons through MA RS6. I used to think they sounded a tad bright when running NAD through them, but now they sound deep and warm.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 797
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 09:50 am:

OK, that sounded kinda bad.

Never mind.

Bronze Member

Username: Hk_fan

Post Number: 13
Registered: Nov-06

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 09:54 am:

lol, never mind DM, useful info tho.

Bronze Member

Username: Hk_fan

Post Number: 14
Registered: Nov-06

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 10:03 am:

Stupid question as it may be, what does SST stand for in 7B sst?

Platinum Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2599
Registered: May-05

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 01:25 pm:

ST is one of their designers' initials. SST, I believe is Super and his initials. An earlier version was ST, and SST is the newer line.

Bronze Member

Username: Hk_fan

Post Number: 19
Registered: Nov-06

Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 01:40 pm:

Thanks Stu.

Bronze Member

Username: Snapcat

Post Number: 42
Registered: Oct-07

Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 11:32 pm:

"I'm running my Brystons through MA RS6. I used to think they sounded a tad bright when running NAD through them, but now they sound deep and warm."

That surprised me. I've been thinking Brystons would be analytical and lean compared to the NADs... tell me more please.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 808
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:17 am:

It's hard to describe, but my major complaint with the NADs was that they had grainy sound. The Brystons are very clear (but with much more bass than the NADs). They are very neutral sounding to me, almost like I'm hearing the music now instead of hearing the gear.

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1326
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:21 am:

I never had the same findings with my C272 as David. Probably a mixture of different gear or something. The Bryston amps are definitely cleaner, clearer and tighter bass though.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 810
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:26 am:

Some of it may have to do with the fact that my pre-amp is a Pioneer surround receiver - not the best source. But at least with the Brystons now I have absolutely no complaints.

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1327
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:14 am:

Thats awesome, nothing wrong with Pioneer at all, perhaps its just a synergy match with NAD. Either way, the Brystons will make any system sound better over a NAD amp. Those mono blocks look sweet too.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 811
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:17 am:

They have almost a retro look to them. My wife's first comment was "those are ugly". But then I hooked 'em up and put on her favourite CD. Then she said "those actually sound really good".

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1328
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:44 am:

lol yup. Brystons stuff has never really been overly appealing in the looks department. But once they are heard that is quickly forgotten. Its hard to build amps that are build to last a lifetime and make them look pretty at the same time.lol.

Bronze Member

Username: Snapcat

Post Number: 43
Registered: Oct-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:20 pm:

It's good to hear this comparison with NAD. I need to listen to more stuff.

This definitely broadens my thoughts a bit.

Silver Member

Username: Dmitchell

Ottawa, Ontario
Canada

Post Number: 817
Registered: Feb-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:22 pm:

There's no comparison.

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2605
Registered: May-05

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:41 pm:

My feelings exactly, going from NAD to Bryston myself.

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1332
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:52 pm:

Indeed a different class all together.

Gold Member

Username: Stu_pitt

Irvington, New York
USA

Post Number: 2610
Registered: May-05

Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:16 pm:

"Brystons stuff has never really been overly appealing in the looks department."

How appealing is this? I came across this pic on Audiocircle when I asked if anyone has any internal pics of their B60

Upload

True dual mono and oversized power supplies, and short pathways. Everything you need for some great music reproduction, and nothing you don't. True beauty comes from within.

Bronze Member

Username: Snapcat

Post Number: 44
Registered: Oct-07

Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 07:47 am:

Yeah, that's beauty.

I've been pondering the path up towards a MF A5 integrated. I liked the comments about it's bass power, smoothness and less grain... a few comments about it being uninvolving have made me hold back (that and cash). These posts and the shoot-out posts by Nick K, Stu's story about getting the B60.... man I gotta rethink this thing.

Gold Member

Username: Nickelbut10

Post Number: 1336
Registered: Jun-07

Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 07:49 am:

lol never judge a book by its cover. Look at the capacitors they use. Wowsers. That is some good engineering right there. Its too bad we can't think of our wives this way.lol Kidding kidding of course.