OPTIONS (in order)
(1) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
(2) Send it back to BRYSTON for their lookover and have them refresh any age-related warts, if any are even required .= a refurb to bring it back to factory specs in essence, and carry on.
Keep my 1996 bryston 4B or get a new 4B
I have a Bryston 4B I bought new in 1996 and it still works wonderfully. I been thinking of buying a brand new Bryston 4B dose it pay to spend 8500 on one and will I gain better sound then I an currently getting. I have upgraded the rest of my system in the last 2 years from a pair of dynaudio special forty speakers a rel s510 sub a rouge rp7 preamp a pro ject tubebox ds3b phono preamp and a new cocktail audio x45 streamer along with my linn turntabel. And all new pure silver audio cabels. Would I gain anything in the sound quality by replacing my amp for a new current model or would I do better to spend the money to up grade and improve my lp12 turntabel. Thank-you Michael.
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Perhaps this is useful. I used Bard.
The Bryston 4B: A Legendary Power AmplifierThe Bryston 4B is a legendary stereo power amplifier that has been a benchmark for high-performance audio since its introduction in 1976. Over the past four decades, it has undergone seven revisions, each improving its performance while maintaining the core design principles that made it so successful. Here's a brief history of the Bryston 4B: 1976: The Original 4B The first Bryston 4B debuted at the Chicago Consumer Electronics Show in the summer of 1976. This initial version offered 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and quickly gained acclaim for its neutral sound, robust build quality, and exceptional reliability. 1977: Critical Acclaim and Growing Sales In 1977, renowned audio critic Peter Aczel published a glowing review of the 4B in Stereophile magazine, praising its transparency, power reserves, and ability to drive demanding speakers. This review significantly boosted the 4B's popularity and sales took off. 1978-1992: Subsequent Iterations Over the next 15 years, Bryston continued to refine the 4B, releasing several updated versions with improved performance characteristics. These included the 4Be (1978), 4B NRB (1982), and 4B ST (1987). Each iteration retained the core strengths of the original while incorporating new technologies and design tweaks. 1993-2008: The 4B SST and SST² The 1990s saw the introduction of the 4B SST, a significant upgrade that featured a new circuit board layout, improved thermal management, and higher power output (200 watts per channel into 8 ohms). In 2003, the 4B SST² was released,offering further refinements such as balanced inputs and a THX Ultra2 certification. 2008-Present: The 4B³ and Trade-Up Program In 2008, Bryston launched the 4B³, the current iteration of the iconic amplifier. This latest version boasts a further increase in power output (300 watts per channel into 8 ohms), updated circuitry, and a sleek new design. Additionally,Bryston introduced a unique trade-up program in 2017, allowing owners of older 4B models to upgrade to the latest version at a discounted price. Impact and Legacy The Bryston 4B has had a profound impact on the high-fidelity audio industry. Its exceptional performance, longevity, and dedication to quality have earned it a loyal following among audio enthusiasts and professionals alike. It remains a benchmark for power amplifiers and a testament to Bryston's commitment to crafting audio equipment that stands the test of time. Here are some helpful resources where you can learn more about the Bryston 4B:
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I bought a 4BST new in 2000 and had it for 19 trouble free years. In 2019 I traded it in on a 4B3 which sounds noticeably better. I’m not sure how much you’d have to spend on your turntable upgrades to equal that. Or how much to update your 4B, but it will still be a 4B. My 2¢, I think you should go with a new 4B3. |
I already sent it back to bryston in 2018 I decided to see how far I could push the amp and the end result was a pair of ADS L8E speakers totaly fried and the right chanel of the amp clipped and the red light comming on in the front. I turned the volu.e all the way up as far as it would go bad idea. It cost me 500 dollars to have the amp fixed. At the same time I had the amp totaly went through for an extra 300. And then they warenty it for 2 years after words. I learned a hard expensive lesson. I won't go beyond 1 a clock on the dial. The amp is the power sorse for my system. I have herd there is a big difference in the sound of the sst I have from 1996 and the st3 of today.my only thought is it that much better that it is worth bying a new 4 b the new one is 8500 and if I where to trade in my current one I can get a 2500 credit from bryston sl now I have to shell out 6000. When for that kind of money I can get a really good cartridge and up grade the barring and power supply to my lp12 linn turn table. The sound improvement of the new bryston 4B would have to knock my socks off to up grade Michael |