Hi Dave,
I am not really able to fully answer your questions, but here is my experience with the two brands:
About 3 years ago I tried for two weeks in my system (back then a pair of Dali Helicons + a Rel Stentor 3) the BP25 pre with DAC and the 4BSST power amp. I found them only marginally better then the Musical Fidelity A5 combo (integrated and CD player) I had then.
When I have returned the Brystons to the dealer, he let me try them with the B&W 802 D speakers and also let me compare them with a A5 combo he had in the shop. The situation was similar to my experience at home, i.e. the Bryston combo was a bit better. Finally, the dealer hooked up the B&W 802D speakers to the Accuphase E-550 integrated amplifier (class A design). In spite of having only 30 watts in 8 ohm load, the Accuphase embarrassed both Bryston and Musical Fidelity combos. Of course, the Accuphase could not go as loud as the other two, but for what I consider normal listening levels (70-80 dB) it had better bass, instrument separation, timber, etc. (Accuphase impressed me quite a bit in this demo, and after I have changed my Dali speakers to Focal Micro Be I have bought an Acuphase combo.)
Accuphase is the more "noble" company (and often has better designs) but Bryston is not a slouch by any means.
Which Accuphase preamplifier do you have in mind? Which Bryston amp do you have?
Best wishes,
Paul
|
Hi Dave,
Regarding the C-2410 preamp, you should do some research before buying it as my feeling is that it will be discontinue somewhere this year. You should be able to get a significant discount for the C-2410 once the C-2420 will be introduced. You might also want to look for a C-2810, it should cost roughly as a new C-2410 (maybe even a bit less).
Keep us (better said me) posted! |
Hi Dave,
If you check the "Product Museum" section of the Accuphase official site (under the Product section) you will see that Accuphase is releasing new models every 4 years (sometimes 5 years in the case of the top of the line models). For example the C-2800 was released in 07-2002 and was replaced by the C-2810 in 06.2006 which in turn was replaced by the C-2820 in 12.2011 (I believe). The C-2400 was released in 08.2003, so you can do the math :).
I did not realize that the C-28XX models do not have bass and treble control. Why are the bass and treble controls so important for you? (For me the balance knob it the important one :). )
Also, I did not realize there is a large difference between the C-2410 and C-2810 as Greg has mentioned. Most often people say that it is definitively not worth buying the C-2810 at almost twice the price since sound wise the two are very very similar. However, Greg's experience definitively correlates with the price difference between the two.
I have listen only the C-2810 model so I can not say much about this.
What speakers do you have?
Regards,
Paul
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Hi Dave,
Whether you should buy the class A models or the class AB ones it depends entirely on your future speakers and your listening habits, i.e. on the amount of power you need.
The A-45 and A-46 class A models sound indeed better than P-4100. Both class A models have enough power to drive speakers like B&W 802 and/or 802 D/diamond to ear-bleeding levels. On the other hand, sound-wise there is little difference (if at all) between the A-65 and P-7100 (or P-6100 for that matter).
Regarding speakers, Accuphase pairs very well with Focal Utopia (forget Electra), B&W 800 series, Dynaudio Confidence, to name but a few.
How large is your room? |
Dave, you misunderstood my post. In my previous post I have "compared": 1) the "cheap" models, i.e. A-46 vs. P-4100 (among themselves), and 2) the expensive models, i.e. A-65 vs. P-7100 vs. P-6100 (again among themselves). I did not say anything about A-46 vs. A-65, but of course, A-65 is better than A-46.
Regarding Focal speakers, Utopia models are much better than the Electra ones. The older Utopia Be models too are better than the current Electra models.
I have no experience whatsoever with ATC speakers.
Finally, you might also want to consider Avantgarde Acoustic speaker. They too work beautifully with Accuphase. Will also make the class A vs. AB issue trivial.
Regards,
Paul |
Hi Dave,
Electronics like A-65 and C-2410 deserve much better speakers than Focal Electra. There is really nothing wrong with these speakers, but they are not in the same class with the electronics you consider.
If you are set on Focal speakers (and they pair very well with Accuphase), and the current Utopia models are too expensive, then my advise is to look for a pair of Alto Utopia Be. These are very good speaker which are much better than the current Electra speakers. In fact Alto Be play in the same league with B&W 800D or Diamond models. Here in Europe these speakers are sold for 6-7K euros - the prices should be similar in USA, i.e. 6-7k dollars (of course I talk about demo or 2nd hand deals).
Other speakers brands to consider, beside what I have mentioned already in my previous posts here, are Veridity Audio and TAD (though TAD are extremely expensive).
I would advise you also in the case of Accuphase electronics to consider models from the previous generation, e.g A-45 or A-60 power amps and the C-2810 pre-amp (at these level you should not make much use of bass/trable potentiometers). The A-45 usually are sold for around 5k, while C-2810 for 8-9k and these two make a terific combo. (I spent 3-4 hours alone in a dealer room with this combo driving the B&W 802 and 800 diamonds speakers, and the A-45/C2810/B&W800 were IMO at least as good as a 300k all Gryphon system, i.e. Atlantis/Colosseum/Mirage). In case you would need more power than an A-45 can provide, then you could always add later a second A-45. Two A-45 may not sound quite as sweet as a single A-65 but will have much more power and will cost about halt.
Do not hurry things up and do not believe all the dealers' mambo jumbo, and of course let your ears decide.
Keep us posted!
Paul |
Dealer make huge profits when selling Accuphase components. In the Netherlands and Belgium the retail prices are two times higher than in Japan. What I usually do is buy demo models form a reputable dealer but only after the next generation was announced/released. This way I get at least 30-40% off the retail price and also a full warranty. This is why I wrote you about the C-2410. Like C-2410 pre, the P-7100 power amp is also due to be replaced.
I do not have any experience with bridged configurations. But I often read that one does not get a significant improvement in sound (if at all) but only a lot more power.
Regards,
Paul |
Hi Dave,
Of course, I am not 100% sure the C-2410 will be replaced soon. My
prediction is based on the past habits of the company.
I will do some more research about the C-2410, and also try to do a direct
comparison between C-2410 and C-2810 as I am thinking to move to
Accuphase separates (A-45 + C-2810 most likely) myself. I will keep you
posted.
Best wishes,
Paul |
Hi Dhali777, I've read similar comments before. However, I have forgotten which method was degrading the sound.
Dave this means that my recommendation earlier, i.e. to use two A-45 or A-46 amps, is not a good one if you will buy speakers with only one pair of binding posts, e.g. Focal Utopia, Dynaudio, etc.
Dhali77, did you compared the A-45/46 with the A-65? |
Hi Audiozen,
Indeed there isn't much of a competition between Bryston and Accuphase. However, Accuphase components cost significantly more than Bryston ones, e.g. the 28 Bsst2 (Bryston top of the line) costs as much as the A-46 (Accuphase midrange amp). |
Hi Audiozen,
I know very well what you mean. I am a very found of Accuphase myself.
Maybe you remember, that at some point it was only the two of us against an
army of Mcintosh zealots. I made a mistake back then, and corrected your
physical interpretation of the slew rate of an amp (in front of the zelots).
Sorry, for the geeky behavior back them. It's a bad professional habit ... I'm a
physicist doing research in university ... :)
Finally, since Dhali777, mentioned the C-3800 and you have listen this unit,
how does it compare with the Hegel P-30 of which you spoke so highly in a
different thread? |
In principle I agree with Audiozen, the A-46 should be able to drive most
speakers and has enough power for most needs. I heard its predecessor,
i.e. A-45 (which has a smaller power supply), driving the B&W 800 and 802
diamonds in a very large room at very loud level (much louder than any
same person would listen at home). The A-45 had full control over the
woofers of the 802 and 800 diamonds speakers. However, 45 watts are 45
watts. That is, if one listens to very dynamic music, e.g. large orchestras
and/or jazz big bands, at loud levels, e.g. 90 dB or more, in a large room
with inefficient speakers, he/she may find that A-46 is not powerful
enough. You do not want your A-46 to be clipping all the time.
When I bought my E-550 integrated, I was worried that I may need more
power (in the dealer's room I made it clipped a few times). I've oscillated
between E-450 and E-550. Now, I am glad I bought the better sounding E-
550 as according to the meters I never use more the 10-15 watts.
|
Hi Dave,
I have some news.
Firstly, and more importantly, I have completely updated my Accuphase rig.
Initially I wanted an A-45 & C-2810 combo, but eventually I went for a A-45
& C-2410 together with a DP-600 SA-CD player.
Secondly, the C-2410 preamp has been discontinued. The new C-2420
preamp costs 13k euros here in Europe. There is nothing announce yet on the
Accuphase site, however, my source (i.e. my dealer) is very reliable.
Best wishes,
Paul
|
Hi Dave,
As far as I understood, in Europe, C-2420 (the evolution of C-2410) will be released in December. However, if founds are limited, I would advise you to go for the C-2410. On one hand, the new C-2420 will be 10% more expensive than the old now C-2410. On the other had, the price of the C-2410 will go down significantly now. My A-45 & C-2410 combo cost me less that the price of the new C-2420. I bought demo units that came with full warranty!
As it is most often the case with Accuphase electronics, the improvements from one generation to the next are minor, IMO certainly not worth the huge price difference.
Have you decided which speakers will you buy? |
Hi Dave,
I am not surprised. The C-2420 pre will be available in shops here starting December 1st.
It is interesting to compare the .pdf brochures of the C-2400, C-2410 and C-2420 models (all available on the Accuphase site). It looks that there is not that much difference between the three. The AAVA volume control is still the big selling point. :) |
