Bryston B60


I am in the market for a int amp in the low to mid $1k range. When I went to a local shop, they had a Bryston B60, with MM phono stage and remote for $1,700. I called another dealer in the area and he quoted me $2,100k for a new one (w/o remote).

I have 2 questions:

1) I have seen a couple of 6-9 yr old B60's on audiogon for ~$800. Is there any difference between those and one that is 2 yeras old? I'm thinking I'm justified in offering 1.5k for the 2 yr old one at my dealer, no?

2) What other brands do others suggest, new or used.?

I know there's alot out there and its all up to my ears in making a decision. I listen to all types of music, rock, electronic, jazz, classical on CD and vinyl. I'm bringing my speakers (Signet floorstanding) to the dealer to hear the B60 soon(it was out on loan ot the time). At the shop on my initial visit I listed to some Rotel's and NAD's ($1,200 and $900). That was all they had in my price range. I didn't like the Rotel stuff, lsitened to a CD player too ... a little too bright to my ears. And I listed to everythign on $3k BW bookshelves, wish I had money for those too right now :)

THere are two other hi-fi dealers within driving distance. They carry Creek (5320, 1.5k), Music Fidelity, Arcam, Linn, a used Music Hall Mambo for 1k.

I'm also looking for a CD player, new or used, $500-1000. The dealer I went to had the Rega Planet for $900. Anything from Brands above I should consider?

Thanks!
sandman012
Hi Sandman,

I currently am using a B60 of 96/97 vintage biamped with an even older Bryston 2B-LP.

I have auditioned the following amplifiers in the recent past(<1yr): Arcam Delta 60 integrated, YBA Integrated, Cary SLI-80 integrated, Prima Luna 2 integrated, Creek 5350SE integrated, Channel Island Digital Monoblocks & Classe CAP-151 integrated.

Each and every one of the above have their strengths and weaknesses from a performance point of view. The Bryston B60's are as follows:

Strengths:
Transparency-you can hear into the music and differentiate all of the contributing instruments
Warmth-strange for solid state amplification but the Bryston adds a touch of warmth to the sound
Soundstaging-very good width and height with good depth
Musical-it has a way of drawing you into the performance and allows you to lose yourself in the music

Weaknesses:
Dimensionality-although it soundstages very well it does not possess that elusive 3-D palpability which tubes can add
Power-I have Totem Arros which are 86db efficient and are a 4 ohm load and I can tell when the amp is working hard especially on demanding material. This is the reason why I bi-amped the Arros with a Bryston 2B-LP. Now I have the dynamics along with improved soundstaging.

Very important if you do decide to purchase the Bryston, replace the pre-amp to amp jumpers/links with high purity copper or silver jumper wires terminated with quality rca plugs. This will increase the performance by as much as 10% or more. I used 99.99% pure cotton insulated silver wire in a twisted pair configuration and terminated with silver Eichmann for excellent results.

I hope my input helps.

Carl:)
"Very important if you do decide to purchase the Bryston, replace the pre-amp to amp jumpers/links with high purity copper or silver jumper wires terminated with quality rca plugs. "

Thanks!

where can I get these?
so I bought 4 year old Bryston on Agon. Looking forwarding to setting it up.

now onto a phono preamp and CD player!

I hear the Rega Planet on the bryston with my speakers and enjoyed. Want to get something used I think for 5-600, which I think I can with the introduction of the Appolo.
Check http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2770&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 for possible mod for Bryston amps.
There is no or little difference of amp design between old and new to make difference in sound.
I'm lookin gfor a phono stage for the used bryston I bought ... I've been looking at a separate in the $200 range, and was wondering if its worth having Bryston put in an internal mm stage or if I'll get better performance out of a separate like the Cambrida Audio 640