Very clean, detailed highs and upper-mid's. Neutral, with correct instrumental timbre. Outstanding bass control and "slam", with no muddiness or smearing. Amp is so clean that it will reveal upstream flaws in the system, as well as bad recordings. During the first 2 weeks of use, there was a "whiteness" to upper-mid range, but this eventually smoothed out and is now correct. My wife said that the 4B-ST made such a difference that it sounded like I had bought different speakers. The 4B-ST replaced an Adcom GFA-555II, and the difference was really dramatic.

In some systems this amp can be almost too revealing. I know that sounds like an audiophile contradiction, but this amp needs to be paired with other high quality gear and speakers that are well mated (I don't know if this would be the amp I'd choose for electrostatic speakers). May require 3-4 weeks of continuous use for proper break-in. The only minor "weakness" comment I have regards the sound-staging and imaging. This amp is much more "forward" than my Adcom, rather like moving from the middle of the concert hall to the front rows. Everything is RIGHT THERE. If you prefer a more distant or laid-back sound perspective, you may not like this amp. The amp is not harsh in any way, but it does not hide ANYTHING.

A superb amplifier, particularly considering the price. I purchased my 4B-ST at a significant discount (1/3 off MSRP)from a dealer that advertises in Stereophile magazine. If you want information to contact the dealer, please drop me an E-mail at: SDCamp1113@cs.com.

Current system includes:
Adcom GTP-740/dts pre/pro
VPI HW-19 Mark III turntable, Sumiko arm, Shure V15VxMR
Lehmann Black Cube phono preamp
Sony 550 DVD player
JVC S-VHS deck
Nakamichi 581-Z tape deck
Monster Power HTS 3500 power conditioner
Adcom GFA-2535 amp for rear surrounds and center speaker
AudioQuest Ruby and Topaz cables
Vibrapods under speakers, preamp, power amp, and DVD deck

Similar Products Used:

Auditioned the Adcom 5802, Aragon 8008, and Krell KAV-250a, and preferred the Bryston overall. Also have experience listening to amps by Ayre and Mark Levinson, and the Bryston 4B-ST stacks up very well against them.

Excellent build quality. Extremely strong and detailed amp. Twenty year warranty.

I can't afford another one just yet.

This amp is incredibly detailed. It will grab ahold of your speakers and make them sing. The soundstage is very three dimensional, and all instruments and voice are aptly placed. The amp has good bass control, as well. It is sensitive enough that it will keep your speakers from sounding boomy. I researched this amp a long time before I bought one. Comparing it to the other amps mentioned above, I found that the Bryston did the best job of being transparent to the signal coming from the pre-amp, and subsequently the CD player. It did not color it, nor did the amp sluff off in detail during heavy orchestral segments.
I had to wait for a used 4B-ST to come on the market (buying a new one is a little pricey, but aside from the excellent quality the twenty year warranty is what you're really paying for). I did not worry about buying this amp used because the warranty is completely transferrable. The thing is built like a tank.
That said, Bryston's service is the best I've seen. I've spoken to and emailed James Tanner at Bryston on numerous occasions with questions about the amp and the rest of my system, and the guy is very responsive and helpful. I would recommend this amp to anyone who is serious about attaining the most "live" sound they can. When it comes time to purchase amplification for my home theater room I will definitely go with Bryston again.

Similar Products Used:

Acurus, B&K, Arcam, Proceed

Amplifies exactly what is fed into it.

Amplifies exactly what is fed into it.

I have to start by reminding you that the sole role of an amp is to amplify an electrical signal with as little distortion as possible and with as flat a frequency response from the entire audible range and a little beyond (namely 20 hz to 20khz) as possible.
The Bryston 4B-ST does and incredible job at doing just that. From the lowest to the highest octaves the 4B-ST amplifies the signal without adding or subtracting anything to and from it.
Anyone who's reviewed the amp and stated that it may to too bright or too warm in some systems is missing the premise that the amp's job description is very simple; amplify the signal and get the hell out of the way. This is exactly what the Bryston is doing. It would appear that the rest of the associated equipment in the reviewer's systems has not been addressed properly. It is not Bryston's fault that the rest of their systems have the propensity to be bright or warm. Music is most realistic when it is reproduced as neutrally as possible. Forget the warmth of tubes and the harshness of solid state. If an amp is designed properly it will reproduce the signal as neutrally as possible.
Add to this that the 4B-ST has more than enough power to drive most speakers and you have a power amp that can be used in almost any setup.
Add to this Bryston's 20 year transferrable warranty and no hassle service and you have a product and company behind you that won't take your money and run.
And add to this the fact that the Bryston 4B-ST is built with an industrial grade fit and finish and you have a product that won't give up every time you decide to put away the folk cd's and throw in a little Ozzy or Rush.
The Bryston is both subjectively and objectively worthy of nothing less than 5 stars. Objectively, it has impeccable measurements which attest to its sonic neutrality. Subjectively, it sounds bright in some systems and warm in others which tells us that the variable factor is the associated equipment. Get the fundamentals right in the rest of your system and you'll see that the 4B-ST is amplifying exactly what you're feeding it.
I think that is the highest praise you can give an audio product unless you subscribe to the notion that a product should solve the deficiencies in the rest of the system including the recording itself. But that would be like needing a bottle of wine before you could make love to your wife!

Similar Products Used:

Aragon
McCormack
Krell

Power, basscontrol, speed, imaging , warranty, build, service, value for money

none

I have made many amplifiercomparations.
My set:B&W Nautilus 802 loudspeakers, Sony SACD 777, Nordost Red Dawns biwired speakercables + interlinks and...Bryston 4B ST and BP 25. The Nautilus 802's are a tough load to drive because of the lowish impedandance minimum between 80 and 250 Hz ( at 80 Hz the impedanceminimum is actually as low as 2.4 Ohms,very low. At the same frequency the phase angle is quite tough too, so few amplifiers are able to let the Nautilus 802's really sing. The Bryston 4 B ST is one of the few amplifiers( at this price actually the ONLY
one )able to do that, and with applomb, ease.
Many comparations with other amplifiers learned me, that one has to pay at least 3 times the price of the 4 B ST ( and BP 25 ) to get the same performance...

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Meridian and many others

transparency,cost,bass

none found as yet, still working on upgrading system

Given that this is my first foray into the world of Hi Fi from middle of the road gear except maybe for my speakers,
the change in how defined vocal are and how tight the bass is... well... amazing. There is just more detail. I'm no expert, but given the cost vs. sound quality of the Bryston as compared to other amps I've auditioned such as Classe's, Onkyo, and NAD's, the Bryston is a phenomenal value.Add a twenty year warranty and its a no brainer for the common sense audio enthusiast. Bryston isuncompromising sound for the masses. No Hype! Proud to be Canadian.

Similar Products Used:

NAD, other mid fi stuff

Amazingly clear and accurate. Detail,Detail,Detail.

Wish it more lights on the face plate. (I know, big deal)

What can I say, this amp is the best. I have not seen amp able to be cranked up and sound sweet as it does. It only gets better. My golds are fairly power hungry so they take power very well. It is so hard to keep this sucker turned down. I love listening, and becomes an insatiable craving to listen louder and louder. The details and soundstage are so beautiful that I have practice moderation in volume.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom