What's inside these aluminum/metal cases?

Bishopwill, I have to know the name of this 10K + tube amp you described. Was it made in Italy, by any chance (just a guess)? Ascribe it to a different mentality or interest focus, but most every German audio magazine publishes at least one photo of the component with its "lid removed" in each review. Some photos even are accompanied by arrows to special features that make the component more attractive! What is funny is when the arrows go around the areas where there is poor assembly work! With the hood removed and the electonic parts catalogue in hand you can easily calculate the cost of the parts. It is usually about 10 to 15% of the retail price.

Both brystons look OK. I agree that there's a bit too much "loose wire" floating around for my liking, and much more than my densen integrated (which is a $1000 amp). The ML383 is neat, but it looks like you're paying for lots of stuff which may have little direct impact on the audio quality. I wondered why ML stuff cost so much.
As for components costing 10-15% of the amp ... I think that's a little low, but it does reflect the food chain of components->manufacturing->marketing->distributor markup->hifi shop margins. Such is the way with all electronics, with the general rule that the higher end you go the more you are gouged. Also the price of things reflects what people will pay for them, not how much they cost to make.

The bottom line is "how do they sound"? (I'm a fan of minimalism since minimalist designs (passive preamps, selector switches located near to the RCA inputs etc) usually sound better to me for the same $$). I've never heard any bryston or ML gear, but from what I've seen above the bryston looks to be better value for money.

Seandtaylor, it is an interesting issue you bring up, at least one I have been thinking on lately. Now, how to put it to words!

There is part of me that says it's just about the music, I want to hear the music the best I can.

Then there is the part of me that remembers the pure joy of using the features that the 383 includes, and I really enjoy the performace to boot. I don't doubt that those features cost, but like I say, I enjoyed them.

Now, to those like you that may care less, no need to pay for them, as in todays market, there are plenty of choices, although I sometimes think this is not such a blessing!

Funny thing about your "minimalist" desire, I have an article that talks how Mark Levinson was the originator of that. (Two notes on that, first I will point the obvious, back them it was ML the person. Second, as far as the signal path, I don't think they have deviated from that.)

I agree with Bob about the Magnum's. I too was shocked when i took the lid off of one. It is amazing that they sound as good as they do with the parts that they use. I guess it just goes to show what a manufacturer can do with low cost "mass produced" parts if they know what they are doing. Sean
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Hi Brian ... I guess it depends on your budget. Good sound can be inexpensive if you eschew features and keep the power requirements (and room size) down. This is the way I have chosen to go. I just don't have the budget for ML equipment. I neither have a preference for european or US equipment .. my system is a mix of both. (Inc spica angelus ... what a great speaker !)
As for ML being the originator of minimalism that's an interesting article. I thought it had developed both sides of the atlantic. After all Quad, A&R(arcam), Mission all are rather minimal designs.
I guess part of my minimalism is a reaction against today's mass market consumer electronics which is loaded with gizmos and rather poor on basic quality. I don't want flashing lights and an array of buttons and features .... I just want to turn the volume up and hear good music. In fact the more features and choice I have the more likely I am to fiddle with the equipment instead of listening to the music. (for example the phase selector on my DAC ... does it really make any difference ?)