Review: Bryston 4B-ST Amplifier

Oops!! I'm bad! What I ment to imply, (while trying to be cute), was that various reviews of OTHER (contemporary) amps had left a bad taste in my mouth---the last thing I want to get across is a misconseption that I have heard something negative about this product.
I address this forum because all of your comments ARE genuine and totally unsolicited. If there is science on the table, good. If the topic is a purely subjective one, better!
I origionally put the "which amp?" question to some old time buddies who have dabbled since we used to have hair, and they in turn put me on to some serious bigshot engineer/tech's who maintain their stuff.
When I relayed my budget, (I'm broke), and my extensive amplifer research, (I'm lost), combined with the recent purchase of the DQ-10's, (I'm REAL lucky),
ALL of these ol' geezers, to the man, recomended the 4B. Mind you, they also recomended old analog stuff- so I wouldn't feel TOO stupid- but when they said the name Bryston, it just rolled off their tongue like a favorite nephew.
My dear old dad would remind me that talks cheap-
but here, it's golden.
And in good faith I truely feel fortunate to be able to sift through years of use and abuse, and to see what stunk, sunk, and what sailed off into the sunset. (I want that one!)
So Tvad, and to anyone else I may have offended, accept my apology, please.
(I will take note of the wizzard of Empirical Audio, but untill I test the water, I will start out with a minimum of letters after the "B", and hold off on any mods. untill I understand a lot more about has happened in the last 20 years).
Only then will we see what I can smuggle past my wife.
Untill then, can anybody relate to hungry speakers, and impart how the 4B will adapt?

I do appreciate that Tvad, and let me assure you that I have no desire to re-experence the anatomic face-lift I received at my one-and-only Greatful Dead Concert. I fully enjoy listening to, (at modest levels), jazz- bop and new age, the torch singers and crooners, classical and chamber music, hell, I'm listening to Blue Grass now that I've heard Allison Krouse------but then that's the real secret to our meeting here. (REALLY hearing).
Of course you realize that I'll have to wander about the net, and do some research into your selected speakers, in that I've never heard of them. (Or 2/3 of everything I read about in these reviews).
But then, I'm here to learn, and I'm in good company.

My first serious system was a combination of new and used gear, a pair of Heresy decorator models, an AR-XA table combined with a feeble, yet modestly successful attempt to graft an SME 3009 type II arm, The Marantz Model 8 power amp, and a Dynaco PAT-5 preamp kit.
(A buddy and I split up a Model 7 preamp and the 8, he got a couple of Dyna mono amp kits, and the other same new gear).
Yes, the 8 was used and already 15 years old, but some new Mullard's cleaned it up and unleashed a sweetness and warmth that took the edge of the horns, and even raised some eyebrows from the audiophiles who helped us assemble our "budget starter systems".
(I still have the gear, and thru the net, have been piecing it back together).
It was in the home of one of those audiophiles, so generous with their time and patience, that I first heard the DQ-10's. Upon later visits, I noticed that all the gear kept changing, all except those 10's. And of course, what I didn't see was the parade of components that finally hypnotized me into lusting after those speakers. (I wish I had paid more attention to what the system evolved into).
So here, at this point, based on the Dahlquist's and a Bryston 4B, I should think a tube preamp may be the best bang for the buck.
Any thoughts on that subject? Any experence with one design over another? Or maybe an outstanding trans. design? How about a CD player? It's your ball game.
And thanks for keeping in touch. Mac

Having been in this hobby/business since 1957 have damn near seen it all and owned and sold more gear than I can remember. I do remember when Bryston started in the mid 70s about 1977 if memory serves me correct.First products were the 1B Preamp and 2B power amp. By the way the 1B is still one very fine preamp by any standard.

To be candid in my opinion on an overall scale there is little to fault with any Bryston gear. No it cannot compete with the exhaulted gear such as Pass Labs,Levinson,Krell, Threshold and the like. But is not that far off the mark either and when paired with right speakers,cabels and such produces wonderful sonics that anyone can live with nicely and for a very long time.

Build quality is excellent, and service from Bryston is par de excellence on any scale.

Recently had a customer trade in two Bryston 2B-LP amps and a 12B Preamp for some Threshold spearates.

First tried the 2BP-LP as a stereo amp and later switched them to mono blocks, easy to do, switch on the back of these makes this very easy. And while at it inserted the 12B preamp. All of these units had time remaining on the 20 year Bryston Warranty.

Gave them about a week of 24/7 operation. I have no idea as to why all the carping on the Bryston product range. These examples are excellent performers and play music with a solid authority. To do better than the Bryston gear, and you can, you will spend dearly to do so.

And yes, the warranty does matter. How many products that we have all bought, that took a nose dive, just when the warranty expired. Face it we all have. My hats off to Bryston to have the faith in their product to offer this outstanding committment to thier product, that damn few others will even contemplate. Bryston takes care of their customers - "WHAT A CONCEPT"!!!!!

Nearing retirement now, I am thinking, that I just may keep this Bryston gear. While it does not have the sonic signature of these Class A output amps around here. The Bryston is not a total letdown to switch to. Plus the fact weight wise a lot easier to move when needed.

After all this hobby is much more about the music, than the gear. Bryston plays music with an ease and signature that lets the music come through with authority.

Over the years have had much of the Bryston product line come through here and all of it has been very good indeed. In fact of all the Bryston gear that I have resold,none has ever come back. Wish I could say that about other gear. One can do far worse in not choosing the Bryston line for their systems. I have seen some very esoteric and highly acclaimed gear, that was by far more poorly built and had a sonic signature of a Fisher-Price toy piano.

Bryston is a solid reputable company, producing wonderful amps and preamps that will satisfy all but the most jaded mavens among us. In my opinion Bryston should be on anyones short list for fine audio components and certainly one does not have to makes excuses for owning any Bryston product.