Bryston owners ONLY


Good luck plus some creative thinking rendered
a handsome windfall. Time to upgrade..
Present system consists of a 4B-ST, Bp-25 and
Silveraudio Sonatina II's.
Should I invest into an additional 4B? (bridge them)
Sell the 4B and buy 2 7B's mono blocks.
Sell the 4B and buy a 14B-ST?
Thanks in advance to any opinions!
markeetaux
I have been using 7B STs for the last 16 months or so and see no reason to "upgrade", "downgrade" or "sidegrade". From what I read, the new SST series is better. The question is: to what extent? I don't think that the introduction of "new" or "improved" amps by Bryston should be seen as indicative that the previous models are, somehow, flawed.

So if you have the money to buy new, I would see what the best deal is and would go with either the 14B SST or a pair of 7B SSTs. I tend to favour monoblocks for all the obvious reasons: shorter speaker cables, totally isolated channels, probably better heat dissipation from the two separate chassis. So, money being equal or almost, I would go with the monoblocks. If you don't want to spend for new, I would use the same logic. Every new iteration of a product is, somehow, perceived as providing vast improvements in sound. That's fine. But if you go with the older model ask yourself a simple question: how significant are the improvements? Hard to do a side by side comparison, I agree, (and I think that is what you actually want to find out here) I would wager that all other factors being equal, the difference is probably very small. On one side we are told of a revolution a week in power amps, and on the other that they all sound alike given the same power rating and decent noise and distortion figures. The truth is probably that they do sound pretty much alike, with small improvements being made over time. Add to that the fact that improvements can be for reasons other than sound quality (heresy!), such as manufacturing efficiencies, improved reliability and marketing pressures, and running equipment that is not of the absolutely latest generation is not a bad proposition.
I posed a similar question a few weeks ago only it was whether to buy and bridge a second 3B-ST or buy a 4B-ST or two 7B-STs. The concensus was that the speakers' load was the issue since Bryston did not rate the bridged 3B-ST at 4 ohms. My speakers would present a 4 ohm load. The pair of 3B-ST amps would probably handle the load, but run hot. If the bridged 4B-STs can handle your speakers' impedance then you have a good option buy buying a second amp. That said, I'm hoping to get 7B-STs. You might write Bryston...
So what is the purpose of the upgrade? I can't imagine you needing more power to drive the Sonatina II's, they are fairly sensitive at 93db. Do you prefer the sound of the 7B-ST or 14B-ST? The 7B-ST operates in high-current or high-voltage mode (series or parallel, I forget which is which). High-current mode isn't recommended for speakers over 3 ohms. The high-voltage mode is essentially the same as bridging a 4B-ST. I had the 7B-ST in my system for a one week audition. The biggest enhancement over the 4B-ST is stereo separation. There was an increase in dynamics in high-current mode and a slight sweetness in the treble but you couldn't use it with your speakers.

If you have money to spend and want to improve your system I would consider power conditioning, power cords for your source, IC's, or speaker cables.
Hi. I am new to this site and this is my first post here though I have occasionally inhabited a neighbouring low brow mid fi site.
I have just traded in an 11 month old 4BST & BP 25 for a similar vintage 14 BST.There was nothing wrong with the 4bst, its superb value for money,but I was never entirely happy with the BP 25.In my view it was too clinical and neutral and did't gel with the metal dome tweeter of the B&W CDM 9NTs.Hence out went the 4bst & bp25 to be replaced by the 14bst and an ancient ARC LS2B(on temporary loan from the dealer).This combination is heavenly.The tubes on the preamp add just a hint of sweetness to the brute strength of the 14bst. This is a match made in heaven.I wonder what Patrica Barber & Diana Krall will sound like when I add a new preamp.Its a toss up between the ARC SP 16 or the CJ PV 14 L.There are much better preamps out there but beyond my budget.
Basically the 14 bst is a brilliant power amp and the equivalent Krells/MLs cost two to three times as much with no dramatic or tangible improvement in any area.The 14bst ( the SST has only cosmetic changes) is the most musical of all brystons.
Cheers.
Thank you all for your opinions, Jazzdude is absolutely
right. I love the 4B-ST, why change? I think this hobby,
as much as I love music at this level, sometimes brings
out questionable behavior in us all i.e. maybe tuning out
the people we love too often, spending vast sums of money
with questionable results. I think I'm going to take my
wife to dinner, maybe listen to her abit more.
Thanks