Preamp for Bryston 4bst

I have an ARC LS-9 in front of my 4B-ST and I think that they make an excellent combination. I was fortunate to have been able to borrow an Adcom GFP-750, and later to audition a Rotel RC-1090 in my system. Believe it or not, I think that the Rotel was the better of those two overall, although my LS-9 is clearly superior to both the Rotel and Adcom in all respects. I would like to hear a Bryston preamp in my system, but the opportunity has never presented itself.

A remote volume control is mandatory for me. If it is not important to you, then you probably couldn't go wrong with an LS-3.

Hello Ekistler,

I was not aware the LS-3 does not come with a remote control. I saw a used LS-3 for sale at a store locally and it has a remote with the preamp. Could you please verify this based on your comment at the end of your post.

Thanks,
ghw

Ghw: I believe that most LS-3 preamps did not have a remote. I read somewhere that it was an expensive option (like $500), so very few were ordered. I have seen one or two of them for sale here, but 90% of the LS-3s that I have seen do not have a remote.

I apologize for confusing you - I should have been more accurate in my original post.

I believe that ARC will still retrofit the LS-3 with remote, but it used to be $600, and it is surely more now.

If you really need a remote, you're not going to get much in the way of sound quality at your budget. Remote volume control compromises the sound of the preamp, and inexpensive preamps with remotes are severely compromised.

Thank you for the insight,

If I go with a used Adcom GSP 750 I believe I can keep it under $950, it comes with a remote, and from the reviews that I have seen it has very good sound quality. Please let me know if I am missing something.

Thanks for your help.

ghw