Please tell me.


OK, so I recently got my OLD Harmon Kardon back. It's a PM 655 VXI (20 years old). I currently own a Bryston 4b SST... brand new (a 300/W monster). Why does the HK sound better??? It is SO warm and the bass is sweeter. Reminds me of the Krell KSA 150 I use to own. I can't believe HOW good it sounds on my dyns. WHY????? Is this really as good as it sounds to me????? I'm having a hard time justifying that I spent $2400 on my Bryston when I like the way my OLD HK sounds better. I realize the Bryston is "accurate" and less "colored" but it does not have the sweet warm sound that the HK does... tube like. I'm freaking out on the sound of this unit. Does anyone know anything about it? Please advise.

drum75
drum75
If you search for warm sound, Bryston will not give you what you are looking for. Never heard any one claimed that Bryston gears are warm. More likely " neutral" and kind of leanning toward bright side. I owned and sold the 4 Bsst since in my own exprience, it is "dry", period. I agree that it is very good for HT application.
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I am not surprised at all. I bought an older early 80's 50w Sansui Int. amp and I'm completely satisfied w/its sound and performance. Great synergy w/the the Paradigm Phantom V4 I'm currently using in my main system. Beautiful sounding system. Makes my toes tap and brings much enjoyment. Honestly, I do not miss the very expansive amp/pre-amp I was using previosly at all.
the bryston will take at least 100 hours to break in. it will sound better than your other amp at that point
Wwshull, All Bryston amps are ready to go without any "break-in" period needed. Bryston folks run all their amps thru a 100 hours " break-in" process at their factory before shipping their amps to their dealers. What you receive from your dealer is good to go. As Bob said, Bryston gears is very neutral at the least distortion with virtually nothing added. If warmer sound is your flavor, go with some tube amps or hybrid amps. The 4 bsst is one of the best value you can get for the money. I myself, just like to have a little flavor ( coloration, distortion...you name it) in my listening session.