2. amps-preamps
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Finally took the Bryston 4B Cubed plunge

Back in January, I solicited folks on the forum for input on the Bryston 4B cubed amp. I was kicking around the idea of replacing my Parasound A21 amp. After dealing with poor health for the past few months, I finally did it! My take on the Bryston is: it's a keeper. It is a better sounding amp than my A21, but by only a very small margin. The Bryston gives the feel of being in a concert hall. An extremely full sounding amp with great detail and there's more emphasis on instrument placement than I've experienced before. The bass doesn't suffer at all either, very tight and clear. In comparison only to the two amps I'm discussing, if the Bryston were a "10", the Parasound would be a close "9". If I were to improve on my system (God forbid, I already have $35K into it), the 4B cubed would definitely be driving it. A premium solid state amp. 
To all the the forum members that were willing to guide me with their opinions, I give a heartfelt thanks. My previous posts (inquiries) were met with sincerity and am grateful that none of the discussion went off the rails. A few members contacted me personally, some I couldn't respond to. I didn't try to ignore anyone, there's simply a downside to old age and a weak heart.
professorsvsu
taww's avatar
taww
128 posts
 
Late to the party, but I’m currently reviewing the 4B3, so thought I’d chime in. Initially, I found the sound with the BP-17 Cubed preamp to be underwhelming. It lacked resolution and was rather dull and lifeless. How much of this was the pre vs. the amp I’m not sure, but thankfully with a LOT of burn-in, it improves immensely. Now I can say that the 4B3 is a quite excellent amp - powerful, neutral and smooth with terrific bass. It’s not quite at the level of the really high-end stuff I’ve heard (Ayre, Pass, Chord, etc.) - those brands have a bit more resolution, sense of space, inner dynamics, harmonic completeness and sweetness - but you need a pretty high-resolution system and picky ears to notice it. On the other hand, I think it’s easily more neutral and musically accurate than a high-end Naim stack I’ve heard.

Anyway, my point is, if you think the 4B3 sounds a little uninvolving, make sure you’re listening to a unit that’s fully run in. I’m at least 200 hours in and I’m pretty sure it’s still improving. Given the warranty, bullet-proof build and features, and considering the stupid amount of money you can spend on gear these days, it’s an excellent value.

BTW the BP-17 pre is MUCH more transparent than past efforts, no doubt because it appears to be (and sounds) direct coupled. All the older models (even the BP-26) used bipolar electrolytic coupling caps in the signal path which killed any chance of them being really transparent. I’ve compared the BP-17 to no preamp at all and it is quite excellent, with great dynamics and bass and only the tiniest hint of upper midrange/treble glare.

Some more thoughts here:
http://taww.co/post/175557320172/top-10-impressions-bryston-4b-cubed-bp-17-cubed

Cheers,
TAWW
taww's avatar
taww
128 posts
 
And no, the 100 hours of run-in at the factory is clearly not enough. The 200 hours are on top of that. :) 
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,964 posts
 

taww


you are on target my friend. I have been thinking about the matching between a 4B3 and the new BP-17 pre-amp. No doubt that the BP-26 has been a long standard within the Bryston line-up.


Good to read that someone has heard this combo and reported his findings. Which brand(s) of cabling was used during your audition period?

Another point is break/burn in. 500 hours is a very good measure that I find useful.

Happy Listening!

Post removed 
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
964 posts
 
TAWW, it is very refreshing for an owner of a piece of high-end kit to be objective about it. Thank you. I wish there were more people on enthusiast boards like you-people who are able to avoid ownership-bias. 
I own gear that most would consider a step up from the Bryston gear being mentioned in this thread-an ARC Ref 6 and Ref 150SE. I am happy with them but don't pretend for a second that they are the best, even in their price category. I have listened to Bryston gear in my own home. I have always found it puzzling that the company seems ambitious and has solid engineers and yet manages to miss the mark a bit on transparency and inner detail in their amplification circuits. To me, their best products are their CD players. Given their apparent ambition, I don't understand why they don't try to market a "premier" line and start with a clean slate, employing a brand new set of engineers/designers. And sorry to digress, but why would they attempt forays into loudspeakers and turntables? In that regard, they remind me of McIntosh which now markets a huge catalogue of products such that I have lost all respect for the brand. 
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