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Red Wine 30.2 vs. Bryston 4B SST2

How do I properly phrase this unique face off? The Red Wine is Batter Driven and Low Wattage. The Bryston is High Wattage and AC run. I do not want this to be a discourse on the benefits or detriments of either DC or AC power. Futhermore I don't want this discourse to break down into a discussion of if the AC powered Bryston is powered by XYZ conditioner with ZYX cord. I am looking for JUST THE BOTTOM LINE. Assuming that I am a true audiophile like yourselves BUT don't have the luxury of setting up two IDENTICAL 'IDENTICAL' ROOMS where the only variable is the two power amps in question. Where HIGH POWER IS NOT NEEDED so the Bryston and Red Wine are on equal footing. Assuming THAT THE BEST TOP PREMIER power conditioner and cords will be used for the Bryston not to impede it's performance.

Hense, my question is simply, IN IDENTICAL SYSTEMS, where I have a million dollars and can buy anything I want. When I sit down and LISTEN to the MUSIC.

Putting aside the first watt series by Pass Labs and ALL THE OTHER MANY CONTENDERS. I don't care, I am asking specifically.

Perfectly setup and tweaked. Will the Battery Powered 30.1 outperform the 4B SST2 at an output of 10 watts ?

I know there are compromises and differences and setup protocols and details, I AM SAYING ALL THAT BEING UNDERSTOOD, and accounted for and setup for.

NO EXCUSES

NO HIDING

NO CIRCUMVENTING

NO SAYING A IS BETTER THAN B FOR THIS OR THAT

/ understood

AND ALSO UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER AMPS OUT THERE WHICH I DO NOT WANT TO BRING INTO THIS DISCUSSION.

This is a most narrow, laser like focused talk. At 10 Watts, MAXIMUM, most listening happening at 2 Watts.

ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL AND COMPENSATED AND ACCOUNTED FOR. Does the Red Wine Signature 30.2 or the Bryston 4B SST2 deliver the MUSIC ?

better
soundit

Showing 1 response by soundit

soundit OP
7 posts
 
I want to thank everyone that responded. It looks like there is never going to be a substitute for A/B live comparisons. Especially taking into consideration all the other system components and synergy. Plus in the end two systems can sound musical and one will be preferred over the other depending on taste.

Ultimately what I am also finally able to hear is how even the same song on different cd's (original cd, remaster, mfsl gold, best of remix) TOTALLY SOUND different. It's a real mess because there are so many variables. Room acoustics and speaker placement being no small task either. Maybe I'll get a red wine and some great headphones! Just kidding.

I'm leaning towards the higher powered Bryston because that is what the music I listen to was mixed on (AC powered high wattage output amp), so my thinking is it will be closer to what the recording engineer heard. I do think for classical music the red wine would sound better (but then so would tubes), but for pop, rock, jazz based on the wide usage of the Brystons in the music industry I have to say it is the way to go.

Maybe not the greatest logic but with a twenty year warranty they have to be doing something right at Bryston. Someday, I'll have to have that shootout though with a Krell, Pass, Levinson, Bryston and Red Wine all side by side, see who comes out on top. Until then I'll have to settle with going on what I read.
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