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Replacing Bryston 4BST for Aerial 10Ts

I've been happy with my system but the amp is dead. I'm running a PS Audio PerfectWave  DAC with Bridge 2, Audio Research SP16 tube pre, and a Bryston 4BST into Aerial 10T mkii speakers. The Bryston failed recently, blowing 2 fuses in the right channel. It's 3 years out of the 20-year warranty. In my conversation with Bryston, they mentioned an option for trade-in credit toward the 4B3 or other product and I'm waiting for those details. My local dealer (Rochester NY) loaned me an Atoll IN100, which (in bypass mode) is underpowered relative to the speakers but which gives me a sense of the Atoll sound. He suggested the Atoll AM300 (https://www.atoll-electronique.com/en/products/power-amplifiers/am300/). The 4BST gave 400 watts per channel into these 4-ohm speakers. The Atoll offers 280 watts per channel into 4 ohms. I'm interested in power to resolve detail. Typical listening is chamber music, orchestral, piano, acoustic world music, and some electronic composers. The 4B3 offers 500 watts per 4-ohm channel. I'm waiting to hear from Bryston on the trade-in credit and lean that way because the 4BST was magnificent. Any thoughts on Atoll, on Rogue (also on offer from my local dealer), on the 4B3, or something else with the power to make these big speakers sing?

 

128x128rwroberts
zlone
697 posts
 

I am getting ready to sell my Coda #8 v1. Coincidentally it might be a good option. When I bought the Coda, it was that or a 4B3. Worth checking out the brand. 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
sargonicuse
9 posts
 

A couple of years ago I provided a detailed post here regarding this same subject which I can now no longer find. 

I own a Bryston 4BST that at that time was a few years past the 20-year warranty.  Bryston had an upgrade program in place for any generation amp to restore it to its original specs with new parts.

I took them up on this. It cost about $1,500 though there were several options for upgrades that could be selected at different price points. 

My amp received extensive upgrades including all capacitors and output transistors. The amp was tested and burned in before it was returned with a new certificate of performance and three-year warranty. Bryston is known for repairing any amp of any generation at any time for any owner.

 I am very satisfied with the performance of my amp finding it as transparent and resolving as before with all of the power that I need. The sound is consistently open and well defined, with no hint of noise, distortion, or compression.  I also own Bryston's BP 25 pre-amp and use both with my Dynaudio S1.4 LE speakers. My listening tastes are mostly classical - symphonic, chamber, and opera - and jazz, mostly small group.

A few years ago, Soundstage Network published a review directly comparing the performance of the 4B3 to the 4BST. The 4BST acquitted itself well considering its age and it had not been reconditioned, but no, it's not a 4B3 and can't be made into one. At considerably less than the cost of the 4B3 though Bryston can and will make your 4BST continue to perform very well for years to come. 

Good luck with your decision. You can't lose with either one. 

 

 

 

rwroberts's avatar
rwroberts OP
8 posts
 

Two of the comments recommend talking with Bryston about repair and upgrade options, and I've left them a message. 

hboden
1 posts
 

I own a 4B3 and use it to drive PMC 25.26i. It's superb. I also have a 3BSST and have used 3BST and 4BSST in the past. They are all good, but I like the sound of the cubed series the best. Personally, I've always felt the 3B line is the goldilocks size-wise, so if I were to order one new I would aim for a 3B3.  

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