Bryston 28 sst's vs Spectron Musician 3 SE ?

I figured I should post so others can read.

I picked up a pair of 28 Squared mono's recently so my system would not be down in between listening to other amps as some times this can happen from time to time and you have to wait for a bit.

My most recent amps being CAT JL3 Sig. MKII mono's, and recently demoed MBL 9008, the big 9011's.

My speakers are MBL 101E's

I have never heard the Spectrons in my set-up, almost pulled the trigger at one time but it just didn't feel right after receiving certain info. When you add up the costs of the two upgrades above the base price the list price is really up there also and I'm sure a new version will be coming out soon.

So back to the Bryston 28 SQ mono's, I must say I am absolutely shocked with the performance to date and only getting better and these are the only solid state amps that I have ever heard in my set-up which had me wondering if there where actually tubes inside. They are the first amps that I truly have been able to listen to at very low volume and really enjoyed, 1st watt sounds as the same as the last watt over 1k into 8 ohms that is.

The amps are truly Bryston build quality with a fabulous warranty to boot.

They just get better and better every day.

A buddy had dropped by unannounced one day, we were chatting and he could hear the system playing. My buddy is an absolute tube and vinyl fanatic and feels nothing else compares period so when he sees solid state or digital he just disqualifies it period. Well my friend comments to me saying "boy those Cat's are really sounding sweet" and goes on and says "the bass is so realistic possibly the best I've ever heard" he asked could he have a quick listen. Well all I can tell you is he could not stop cursing when he saw what he was actually listening to and just could not believe it and went on and on, the quick listen turned into 2 hours and then some.

I will say I'm shocked with these also, at the beginning they really did not do anything for me but after some hours of burn in well it's a whole different story.

Now I do have each plugged into a separate Torus RM20 unit and these do work and are a must if you truly want to hear what these amps are capable of.

I have a tube pre-amp ARC REF3 mated up and it sounds nice so I would recomend a tube pre.

Regarding the two amps Mribob, if you can get both in for a comparison in your own system I would do it but just make sure both are well broken-in and with the Bryston you use the Torus 20's with them and if possible a tube pre-amp and then let us know what the outcome is. I would like to hear the Spectrons in my set-up to compare but Radicalsteve mentioned the REF3 is not compatible and I'm not about to just go out and buy another pre to listen to these amps, my REF3 has worked with every other amp I have ever had or demoed with no issues what so ever.

My thoughts anyways.

I disagree with specific auditioning methods, comparing listening at a dealers location and then in your own home, just doesn't add up for me.

It seems that I was addressed regarding Spectron and a new model, firstly I was not "scared" that Spectron will introduce a new bla! bla! You are being very naive if you think this is the last amp and all you have to do is take a look at their past history, need I say more.

If you are going to listen to Bryston 28 SQ mono blocks I would recomend you have them plugged into Torus RM20 conditioners at least, one for each amp if you really want to hear what these can do.

In the end just make sure what ever it is that you are demoing make sure they are well broken-in, compared in your own set-up and enjoy.

You most certainly did, Mike said "I have had opportunity to audition Bryston in the dealer showroom. Very good amplifier but it did not "touch" me." you need to re-read your own post above.

Now you are suggesting you did not say this please.

Mike said "I was surprised with your bad mouthing Spectron"

I have never done such, I have nothing bad to say about Spectron as per my posts I have not heard so you need to get your facts straight before you make such ridiculous accusations and misleading others.

I don't believe you ever heard Bryston 28 SQ mono's either.

Hi Dob,

your post is confusing to me so can you clarify? you wrote "his audition was not at the local dealer"

I believe the word "not" used by you should not be in there but I'm sure you will correct me.

Secondly you said "What is not clear to you????"

Well Dob he said in his thread which everyone can read above dated 07-25-09

Hi Mribob

A few months ago, I was looking amplifier for myself. As you I have selected a few amps to test including Bryston and Spectron. I have had opportunity to audition Bryston in the dealer showroom. Very good amplifier but it did not "touch" me.

and then said in a following thread,

Hello Dev,

I did not say that I auditioned Bryston at LOCAL(!) dealer

This is why I questioned his auditioning methods which I disagreed with.

In the end it does not matter to me which amp he goes with or likes but such statements are misleading to others and you know this is not the way to make proper comparisons.

I could have been asked to clarify my words when I wrote "You are being very naive if you think this is the last amp and all you have to do is take a look at their past history, need I say more"

As far as I'm concerned this is not bad mouthing but factual, I could get into it but why that’s not what this thread is about.

Pretty hard to believe the dealer (local) would not allow a demo of 28 SQ $16k monos in his own place either, humm.

I have nothing against Mike or Spectron and suggesting I'm doing personal attacks or bad mouthing is improper, I'm only informing others and in the end they can do what ever.

As I mentioned prior I would still like to hear Spectron but as per info. gathered from Radicalsteve he tried it with his REF3 which I have and said there was a mismatch.