Good preamp match for Bryston 4B ST

I had the 4BST mated to various tube preamps a while back but never cared for the sound. You may want to consider a Bryston preamp. I replaced it a Belles 150A and couldn't be happier, the Bryston was outclassed in every category except power output.

Thank you Bob for your informative response. I was able to find a Bryston BP25 (without phono section, unfortunately), but I thought I should grab it as I assume there should be no problem matching it with the 4BST and using balanced interconnects. I'm still considering trying a tube pre, though, but I'm not sure (given the sparce information provided) which ones would mate well. Aljordan says the Audible Illusions worked well, but which ARC would work? Still would prefer a pre with a remote. Bob, why did you suggest the Benchmark?
Thanks

Thank you, Stevecham and Soix. OK, so here's my confession: I only recently acquired 4BST, and am not using it yet, but trying to get a good preamp match. The Dali 400's are a recent aquistion as well, so I'm still getting familiar with them. So far I think they are fantastic across the entire frequency range, but when listening to one recording, an older jazz recording from the 60's, the sax sounded a bit harsh and edgy. However that may well be his tone. As I've listened to other recordings, I get no harsness, but crystaline clarity in the highs (and rock solid, clean bass as well). I'm currently using a Rotel 1052 Receiver (100 wpc). Fine for what it is, but not a match for the Bryston and Dali's. My interest in a tube preamp was as a result of my ABing a Cary tube vs. a Cary SS pre at a showroom. The tube sounded more open, transparent, airy and fluid to me and I liked that. The dealer said, that's what you get with tubes somewhere in the chain. (Of course he was trying to sell me something.) Others (here) have suggested tubes, such as AR pres might be a good blend. Now, that said, although I have a good ear and know music, I am not savy elecronically, and when you guys start talking about matching output impedences, I get nervous. E.g., the AR LS16 has output of 600ohms balanced and 300 ohms SE. So would that match with the 4BST 20K and 50K? The Cary SLP 03 has output impedence of 500 on XLR and RCA's. (Would it work on the Bryston?) Moreover, most I can't find the output impedence listed for most preamps. Do I need to worry about this? Should I just play it safe and go with a Bryston, and put aside my tube dreams? Also do I need to put the Speaker impedence (4ohms) into this equation, or it that only and issue for Amp choice, vs. preamp, as I'd assumed. Help.
Thanks!

What preamp are you currently using? I'm currently using a BP 6 preamp and it's excellent but I don't think any Bryston pre will do anything to reign in those Dali tweets unless your current pre is overemphasizing the treble range already.

I like the Audio Research suggestion for tubes if they're in your price range, but if you're still entertaining solid state I'd recommend a Marsh P2000b. Detailed but refined treble and will let more tonal color and emotion through than a lot of other solid state preamps. I had mine paired up with a Bryston 2BSST for a demo and it was a very nice match. They occasionally show up used here in the $600 - $700 range.

Best of luck.

I connected the pre and power amp with balanced Synergistic cables and the 4BST powered Thiel 7s at the time I had this system. Wish I'd kept the 7s but that's another story.

My thoughts around synergy are not so much sonic as they are from a design standpoint, where the manufacturer optimized the output of the BP25MC specifically for their ST series of amps. I had no experience with other preamps, except for a brief audition with a CJ 17 preamp in that system; the results were very "sweet" sounding but I lost the dynamic punch that the BP25 had. Certinly this is one of the quietest combinations I've ever had. Quality cables were a must, and I also tried Tara Labs, I liked the Synergistic more. Another contender for a quality solid state preamp at a bargain price, unless you're sold on tubes, is Parasound's JC2.

I'm finding myself leaning towards a tube pre, with at least four inputs (ideally including phono), also ideally with at least remote volume. One reason I'm inclined to go with tubes is that the high end on the Dalis (dual tweeters) is quite intense and can sound a bit harsh with some instruments. Overall, I love them, but I want to make the best pre match here. For all this, of course, I'm willing to stretch the budget some. Aljordan, the 3A sounds interesting, I wish it had a remote. Which Bryston did you try? Stevecham, could you say more about the "synergy" with the BP25. Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you all very much. Rick

I used to own a Bryston 4B ST. The input imedance is 50 kOhms, which by today's standards is an easy load for most preamps. My favorite preamp mated with the 4B ST was an Audible Illusions Modulus 3A, which you might find used within your budget. The Modulus 3A will flesh out the sound of the Bryston a bit over comparably priced solid state preamps, without sounding colored like some tube preamps. At the time I owned the Bryston, I also tried out Bryston, Quick Silver, Balanced Audio Technology, and various passive preamps. The Audible Illusions was the best fit of the bunch.

Alan

Thanks Steve and Mark. I will check those out. Any further suggestions or shared experience would be greatly appreciated.

I've owned many Bryston amps and always matched flawlessly with Audio Research tube pre amps.

I had one of these and I had it paired with a Bryston BP25 with moving coil phono preamp. This was a solid pairing and formed a synergy. I see there is a bp5 with MC section for sale on the 'gon. This would be a good value.