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Preamp for Bryston 4B SST2


I have the following system

Squeezebox Touch >> Metrum Octave DAC >> Benchmark DAC 2 Pre (analog inputs) >> Bryston 4B SST2 >> Dynaudio x12 (soon to be Revel f208)

The benchmark is out of my main system and simply sounds stunning in the system. The resolution, clarity and musical tonality it produces is amazing. I have a song by Avalon called El'Shaddai simply puts the vocalist and acoustic guitar right in the room and I use it as my number one reference song. This system needs a preamp with more that the two analog inputs of the Benchmark and must have a remote to control both source and volume.

Swapping out the benchmark with a the highly regarded Classe CP50 creates a beautiful tube like sound that sounds ok on some songs but totally ruins my reference song. It simply adds way too much warmth into a system that does not need warming up. The Metrum DAC provides all the richness and analog like tonality that the system needs.

Replacing the Benchmark with the Bryston B100 SST in preamp mode is much better then the Classe but still does not achieve the stunning clarity of the benchmark preamp. Even b100 preamp adds a bit of warmth to the sound that is simply not needed in this system.

The only Bryston pre that has a full function remote is the BP-17. Will this sound better then the pre in the B100? (Less warmth, more resolving and more clarity) It is based on the B135 so it is newer.,,

Other then that I don't know what my options are for a pre that will match the clarity of the Benchmark and have remote that controls sources and volume? Would the Rotel 1570 come close or is it not even in the same ball park?

Any ideas???

Thank you

Earl
earlxtr
earlxtr OP
50 posts
 
Thank you for your responses.

ZD542 - Did some reading on the Arye...would love to audition one.

TheDuke - I believe you may be correct... I am NOT looking for laid back...I want highly resolving detail which is I'm sure what the BP26 is all about. The BP-17 just may not provide that level of transparency. Not being able to switch sources is a very real limitation in my environment, however.

Has anyone compared the Bel Canto Pre3 compare to something like the Bryston BP26. How resolving and transparent is it?
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"03-15-15: Earlxtr
Thank you for your responses.

ZD542 - Did some reading on the Arye...would love to audition one."

No. I don't read equipment reviews. Any components I comment on are based on actual listening experience. On occasion, if I bring up something that I haven't listened to, I will state that in my post.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
You might wanna consider the BP6. I use this little sucker with my 4BSST, and it comes relatively close to the BP26 at a lower price. I would definitely go out and hear one for yourself.
jaxwired
232 posts
 
I agree, both the bp6 or the bp26 (I've owned both) would give you exactly the transparency and detail you seek, but neither control source via remote. I also agree that the BP6 is virtually indistinguishable from the BP26 for way less money. The BP6 is a steal.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I have had a Bryston BP-17 preamp in my system for about 15 months and have been very pleased with it. Bryston products have typically gotten positive reviews, but I think the BP-17 has gotten rather short shrift from the high-end audio press. Given the BP-17's excellent performance in my system (paired with the 4B-SST2 amp), its range of features, the 20 year warranty, and a very competitive price, I have no reservations telling someone to put this preamp on their "short list". I can't compare its sound to the BP-26 (don't have one, and too long ago to trust audio memory), but as James Tanner has commented, the BP-17 has much more current technology.
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