Bryston Preamps - What do they sound like?

I own a BP25 built in '98. To me there is no sound to it at all, it adds or takes nothing from what is fed through it. Current amp 4B3 and before that had a Classe C-201. The polarity/invert phase switch is a big plus to have. Here's one review.

Generally older Bryston products seemed to be voiced to the cool side of neutral. From what I've read it seems like that sound signature has warmed up in more recent releases.

Just had to comment on what someone said about the BP17 and the Topping pre90. These 2 are just not in the same ballpark, the Topping pre is for a nice computer setup in the office. Also maybe the system he listens to them sounds "thin" to begin with because that particular Bryston pre is transparent.

To be fair most Bryston equipment gets a bad rep for being clinical, because the equipment simply doesn’t add anything to the sound. If you want the truth in your recordings, Bryston is your company, however if you want to add warmth, buy a nice tube pre.

You can so easily hear why Bryston is a recording engineers pick.

I still own my Bryston 1B and now the BP 17 Qubed. Both transparent and truthful, if you have a bad recording you will hear it. Bullet proof and like any other good component leaves no sonic signature.

Just had to comment on what someone said about the BP17 and the Topping pre90. These 2 are just not in the same ballpark, the Topping pre is for a nice computer setup in the office. Also maybe the system he listens to them sounds "thin" to begin with because that particular Bryston pre is transparent.

I am talking about Bryston BP20 preamp + MPS2 power supply that I had for about 5 years. I also have owned Bryston 3B-ST, 4B-ST, 4B-SST, PowerPac 300, 7B-SST. So I know a little bit about Bryston. I have heard the new cubed line (with Vandersteen Treo CT) and it still has a bit of the old sound. I also recently bought the Bryston headphone amp and sold it after a month since it was not better (fatiguing) than the much cheaper Topping A90 (I gave this one away later).

The stereophile reviewer Kalman Robinson (sp?) copied me :) and sold his Benchmark LA4 preamp to use the Topping pre90 with his Benchmark AHB2 amps. I sold my Benchmark HPA4 (made a profit) and got the Topping pre90 to use with my Benchmark AHB2 monos. They sounded great, identical to the the HPA4. However, I ended up getting the Benchmark LA4 (same as HPA4 minus headphone) because the Benchmark preamps are more robust (work with all amps) and better features. I use the LA4 with CODA #8 amp.

If you want "wire with gain" preamp I do not know of any better choices than the pre90 and LA4 (or HPA4). At least from a measurements perpective. I just remembered the Mola Mola Makua peamp for about $14K is similar to the pre90 and LA4 but with even more features.