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Bryston VS Cambridge Audio

I know, it sounds like an odd topic. Hear me out. I current use a Bryston 3BST of unknown history and a similarly unknown Musical Design SP-2 preamp (upgraded to -2B status). Both units are in terrific shape, and I have no reason to believe they are operating at less than optimal performance. I have a Marantz SA8004 CD player, and listen through either Von Schweikert VR-1 monitors with a Martin Logan Abyss subwoofer or Eminent Technology LFT-8B hybrid planar loudspeakers. Everything sounds great.

However, I am a bit of a bargain hunter, and I'm also dealing with a situation in which my listening room is also our media room, so my 2-channel rig has to pull double duty as an HT system. Rest assured, I make no sonic compromise for the latter. Still, I have become intrigued by the Cambridge Audio 840 (or V2) integrated amp, which would allow a high degree of component integration and system flexibility. I am a big fan of the brand, too. I could have both speaker sets hooked up along with the subwoofer, and maybe even move to the (non SACD) Cambridge Audio 840C CD player with its balanced outputs.

So, am I a fool for considering this? Do any of you have any thoughts about the power amp section of the 840A versus the Bryston, or even the preamp section versus the Musical Design unit? Thanks for all thoughts (and mild mockery, if deserved).
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glenfihi
525 posts
 
Part of the joy of having a system is it's flexibility, does it fit your life style. I would think that in sound and build you may be taking a slight step back. But you may listen more as the new system would be better suited to your room.
Go for it, changing up your system if desired can be fun.
mik971
153 posts
 
I have owned the Bryston B60 and the sound was excellent. My good friend has the Cambridge 840 and it is good, but not in the same league. My guess is that you would miss your amp....
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ja2austintx OP
64 posts
 
Ha! Two different points of view. Appreciate it. You both have voiced my dilemma -- I suspect the 840A might be a (slight) step down in sound quality, but at the same time it could clean things up and make my system more suited to our lifestyle. And so it goes . . .
mik971
153 posts
 
I was into seperates for awhile, mixing and matching amps and pre-amps. The B-60 gave me more of what I wanted as far as what I consider "balanced sound". Same goes for the Scott 222c amp I used to own. Just like you I stressed about "cleaning things up", but ended up with an integrated anyway. I think if you find a good musical integrated amp, you won't miss that "top-end air" that seperates usually seem to provide.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
I agree with Mik971. The Cambridge stuff is quite good for the money (haven't heard the just released line though), but not in Bryston's league IMO. I own a B60 and have heard the B60 A/B'ed against a few Cambridge integrateds. No contest to my ears. The Cambridge stuff was always very good, but not Bryston good.

Have you considered a Bryston integrated? Not sure how difficult your Von Schweikwerts are to drive, but a B60 may struggle a bit with your planars. The B100 should do well, but that may be out of your range.

If you want a change and a B60 or B100 won't fit, how about a Bryston preamp? The BP6 and BP 25 come up here often enough. The BP26 is a very flexible preamp too. I don't know your preamp, so I can't say what direction a preamp move would be.
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