Nice review. I am not sure I agree with all the detailed "sonic qualities" discussion in the thread. As far as I am concerned the 4B-ST must be one of the all-time best value power amps available second hand. A "no-brainer" if you are like me and you want high power and damping to control accurately the music (especially bass) and don't want "colouration" in the sound. I would say the Bryston 4B-ST is about as neutral sounding as they come. And with the 20 year guarantee you are covered even on a second hand purchase! Amazing.
I am sad to report what others may have also found in terms of reliability of high power, high current audio gear that runs hot enough to toast bagels: my SONY TA-N80ES power amplifier died (one channel) after 6 years (one year after the warranty expired!*%$#) ....that is when I got the Bryston 4B-ST. (I still own a third 220 Watts PC power amp that also died on one channel and was repaired under warranty..this one was not a SONY but an old Kenwood M2))
Could I tell a difference in the sound of these similarly powerful amplifiers....NO
Am I more comfortable knowing that I have about 12 years left on my Bryston 4B-ST warranty....YES ABSOLUTELY
Do I blame SONY .....no not at all...I am not trying to scare anyone away from SONY as they make great products too. I used the SONY amplifier an awful lot and moved house (shipping/storage) three times. I also blew a couple of drivers over that 6 year period...so I am sure I contributed to the SONY power amp's demise.
I am sad to report what others may have also found in terms of reliability of high power, high current audio gear that runs hot enough to toast bagels: my SONY TA-N80ES power amplifier died (one channel) after 6 years (one year after the warranty expired!*%$#) ....that is when I got the Bryston 4B-ST. (I still own a third 220 Watts PC power amp that also died on one channel and was repaired under warranty..this one was not a SONY but an old Kenwood M2))
Could I tell a difference in the sound of these similarly powerful amplifiers....NO
Am I more comfortable knowing that I have about 12 years left on my Bryston 4B-ST warranty....YES ABSOLUTELY
Do I blame SONY .....no not at all...I am not trying to scare anyone away from SONY as they make great products too. I used the SONY amplifier an awful lot and moved house (shipping/storage) three times. I also blew a couple of drivers over that 6 year period...so I am sure I contributed to the SONY power amp's demise.