Bryston 28 sst's vs Spectron Musician 3 SE ?

Hello Dev,

I am in Colorado and I have visited New York about three months ago and I checked there a few hi-end stores (in Manhattan only). I believe that I auditioned Bryston 28 sst at Alto and I could hear clearly some euthonic coloration (artificial warmth) in midrange and touch of "steel" in highs. May be they were not broken-in, I don't know. I did not like them. Sorry.

Mike

Hello,
I do own both Bryston 28B SST Squared and Spectrons MIII MKII with both Bybees and V-Caps upgrades. I operate 2 sets of speaker, Analysis Audio Amphitryons and JM Labs Novas.
Both amps are fantastic sounding on these speakers and if one can measure the sound electronicly the results will be very close to each other.
Bryston physical structure is more stiffer than Spectron.
The only great difference I can hear between these two pcs is that the Spectrons generate a more convincing life like presentation over the Brystons.
I can live with both amps but I will longer with my Spectrons.
One thing I can say for a fact about my system is that the higher power SS amps forces me to relax and play music for many more hours.
Terry

Terry;
Thanks for your comments. I spoke with Simon at Spectron; and he's been very helpful. Also spoke with Bryston; and they are being helpful. I should have my auditions of both started next week; and we'll see how I like them; it sounds from everyone's comments that they are both wonderful pieces; more positive comments on the 'Gon from the Spectron camp; but not sure if that many people own the Bryston's yet. It may be like comparing BMW and Mercedes; both great cars; similiar price points; but different people feel passionatley different about them. In the end; its how they create an emotional and visceral response about the music in my system; with its own peculiar issues of system synergy and make up. I'm looking forward to this process and will post my listening impressions....
Terry; you are the only one who responded who has actually done an in-depth compare/contrast on both of these amps; I'm a bit jeolous; your two systems both seem fantastic; and to be able to own two pair of great amps...good for you; and thanks for sharing your thoughts...

Hi Mribob,

What Terry refers to as " Spectrons generate a more convincing life like presentation over the Brystons." is the feeling you have when you use ultra high class tube amplifier. Not warm, euthonic a la old Conrad Jonston "maple syrop" but very high quality single ended triode amp.

It is not "tube-like" sound many solid state amp producers try to re-create by increasing 2nd harmonic distortion - thinking that we all never attended live music concerts.

As per Simon explanation - their job was in removing all sources of amp contamination and letting muisic to flow "as is".

The reason why I am posting now is to warn you that Spectron amps must be well broken (really about 1000 hours) and since they do not have their own signature (as per Simon) then if your preamp will send something wrong - it will be AMPLIFIED and NOT MASKED. Keep it in mind. You place additional demands on yourt front end components - some people love it, some people hate it.

All The Best in Your Search of Paradise!

Rafael

I have had the Bryston 28sst's in my system now for three days. I am impressed with their build quality; and ease of set up. They sound much better in my system than the smaller MBL's; better sound stage; tighter base; more open and 'musicalality' in the mid range; and definately warmer in presentation; music flow is smoother and easier; no fatigue; and more life like. My MBL's were no slouches; but the extra power of these kw monos are evident; and contribute to an improved sound. The detail and timber are also improved to my ear.

Simon; and Spectron have been very helpful. I have not yet accepted their offer of an in home demo for direct a/b comparison; was not that impressed with 'fit and finish' and build quality of the amps; and needed to make adjustments to have it run in monoblock mode vs stereo config; potential problem of getting phase incorrect between the two monos..also my MIT speaker cables didn't reach far enough apart to enable me to use them in monoblock configuration; the binding speaker posts are on the far sides of the amps; requiring around a 15" span for the cables; Simon did offer a solution which I didn't pursue.

Bottom line is that after 20 hours of listening; I'm pretty pleased with the results of the Brystons...I don't have them on isolation platforms; i have not upgraded their fuses; nor have I incorporated the Bryston Torus 20 power conditioner; which DEV recommends. Still working out details with my dealer for a purchase; but my experience on the MBL 111'es; using Meridian 861 processor; G-98 source running thru the new hd 621 switcher has been fantastic so far...sorry I've not yet made the time/effort to perform the a/b comparison that I initated on this thread; but I think I'm comfortable recommending these amps highly. They have presented me the richness of sound; balance; and ease of listening that I enjoy; making my speakers sound better than I've ever heard them; and I like the suport and quality and warranty from Bryston.
More to follow after tweaks and further break in....