Response to Keithr:
One of the problems with the high-end audio hobby, as I see it, is that we tend to pass along less-than-accurate comments that often have no objective or first-hand basis. Instead, we merely assert our own opinions or biases as fact.
In the interest of providing factual, useful information to our Audiogon readers, your comment about "who buys Bryston preamps?" needs to be addressed. Therefore, it may be helpful to our members and readers to note the following points:
A number of major recording stars with in-home studios use Bryston equipment, as do many of the major studios. Here is a partial list:
Sony Mastering Studios (New York)
Abbey Road Studios
BBC Radio and BBC TV
Capitol Records (LA, Calif)
Chesky Records
Dolby Europe
Herbie Hancock
James Newton Howard
Stevie Wonder
Ray Charles
Master Mix, Nashville, TN
Peter Gabriel
Polygram Studios (New York)
IMAX Theaters (worldwide)
A more complete list can be found on the following Bryston web page: http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/42_files/vol4is2.html
Further, a substantial majority of the hit films of the past several years have been recorded and/or mastered using Bryston equipment. (The various Bryston newsletters -- see their Web site at www.bryston.ca -- have a laundry list of these films.)
As Videohydra notes, Mi Casa Studios has recently chosen the Bryston SP-1.7 for use in mixing the DVD soundtracks for major films (see Bryston's current newsletter for more info: http://www.bryston.ca/newsletters/73_files/vol7is3.html).
One of the major audio equipment reviewers for TAS, Robert E. Greene, also owns a Bryston BP25 as his long-term reference preamp.
Last point, directed to the originator of this post: Bryston now offers an excellent, outboard video switching unit. In designing the SP-1 and the current SP-1.7, Bryston deliberately chose NOT to offer on-board video switching due to its negative effect on the audio frequencies. Their new video switching unit adds that capability.
So, in short, a LOT of people and professional recording studios use Bryston equipment. Infact, I know of no other high-end audio manufacturer whose products are more widely used or accepted than Bryston's.
