Bryston B100 SST Integrated Amplifiers
Bryston B100 SST Integrated Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Nov 04, 2013]
chris
Audio Enthusiast
highly satisfying performance The dynamic range was very good soundstaging was impressive, clear and warm Like Bryston's 14B-SST this integrated amplifier work well in a small package. and 20 year warranty, |
[Oct 12, 2009]
Zipp99
AudioPhile
I own the Bryston power amp 4B SST2 and BDA-1 DA converter. I am very impressed by those components from Bryston. Now I have bought a B-100 integrated amp and this is the worst audio product I ever have listened to. The sound is thin, hard, nasal and totally none musically engaging.
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[Nov 10, 2008]
denjo
AudioPhile
Strength:
Bryston starts with "B" and "B" is for Bass! The first thing you will observe with Bryston is its authoritative low frequency, the foundation in which to weave a musical tapestry. It is highly neutral - from LF to HF. The midrange is sweet and delicate. The Bryston is as powerful as a punch, delicate as a feather. Vocals and instruments are simply portrayed as they are! I have observed that lyrics in a song are easy to follow and decipher, as is conversation. Low listening volume (especially when the family is asleep in the wee hours of the morning) preserves all the musical qualities of HF, midrange and LF but in a smaller scale.
Weakness:
None that I can find, try as I may! The Bryston B100 (with phono and DAC) ended my search for a simple, musical system. As the saying goes, good things come in small packages and the Bryston lives up to this creed. Freed of the shackles of power cords and extra interconnects, my system is very tidy and neat. in fact, when one thinks about it the B100 is 4 things in 1 - a preamplifier, amplifier, superb DAC and reference phono! I have the best of analog and digital in one tidy chassis. My digital consist of the SB3, Oppo DVD player and Cable TV (the Wadia iTransport is yet to come). With such a wide selection of digital feeding an excellent DAC (hewn from the same rock as the well reviewed BCD-1 and BDA-1), I have truly enjoyed a highly musical digital experience. The Bryston 20-year warranty is like the Patek Phillipe tagline, “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely take care of it for the next generation.” If you bought a Bryston in honour of your first born son, he will get to own it when he turns 18 (and still have 2 years of the warranty remaining!). The Bryston has transformed my listening experience so that I am now more interested in the music than the equipment. No more fiddling with audio equipment and cable swops, no more obsessing with tweaks! Just plain enjoyment of music! I have never been happier with an audio investment. My family get to enjoy the Bryston as well because it is so easy and convenient to use! Customer Service Excellent! The VP will answer all emails with any question posed! Excellent Bryston Forum too. Similar Products Used: McCormack DNA 0.5 Rev A, Cary 300B SET, Leben CS-600, AudioNote Meishu, AVI Lab series, Audiolab, Arcam Delta, Musical Fidelity A1, Sanders ESL ... and many, many more! |
[Nov 21, 2006]
Niels
AudioPhile
Strength:
Install it and forget it.
Weakness:
None yet. I also find it astonishing that this gem is a "secret", dont get fooled by the price, its well worth it.
Similar Products Used: Not in this price range. |
[Dec 20, 2005]
Kishan Singh
AudioPhile
Strength:
The Bryston would compare and probably outclass many of it's counterparts at 3 times the price point, including high end separates. It is really a neutral amplifier losing its presence in the delivery of the music, a characteristic of a true amplifier. This is classed as a REFERENCE amplifier. The option of adding on a MM for vinyl listening is also available, at a price!!
Weakness:
Depending on price points, anything can be criticised. What an audiphile must clearly understand, is that ultimately, it is the music that must be listened to and not the equipment. I am surprised that there has been no consumer reviews on this magnificent, integrated amplifier, designed and built by Bryston, so I felt it most appropriate to share some of my experiences with this piece of audio equipment. I bought this amplifier in August 2005 and I have it biwired, through double Kimber 8TC's, to a pair of B&W NT9's, an incredibly revealing pair of full tonal range speakers. As the source I am using the award winning Rotel 965BX CD Player connected to the Bryston via the Madrigal Digital Cable, popularly known as the Fat Boy. It would be pointless to attempt to describe the audio detail that this system is able to deliver to the listener. My comments below are but a vague idea of my experiences with this amplifier. It must be noted that this amplifier was purchased with an on board Digital to Analogue Converter from Bryston, this additional accessory alone is worth the total cost of the amplifier, such is the sonic delivery from this DAC. It is therefore quite believable that whilst audio technology is constantly advancing, this DAC and this amplifier will be as fresh and crisp in 20 years as it is now. By the way, the amplier is guaranteed by Bryston for 20 years. All I can say is that when the Bryston replaced the original Harman Kardon AVR7000 receiver, the NT9's seemed to reach lower than ever before and they just seemed to remain in perfect control as they move air, irrespective of whether the LFE was sustained or impact. Double base information (like on Nora Jones's Come away with me, or Holly Cole's Temptations/Don't smoke in bed)is reproduced with an effortless control at extremely low frequencies. The amplifier has an ability to accurately define low end detail and manage the loudspeaker with incredible agility. Quick and tight baselines are energetic and extremely pacey as well. The delivery of midrange and upppers are refined to the point that it becomes virtually impossible not to listen to a complete track. Human voice reality is supported by artiste emotion and this comes across extremely well. It is therefore very easy to become emotionally engaged and literally shed tears as you listen to music on this amplifier. The reproduction of piano passages, generally a real difficulty for all amplifiers, proves exceptional as Tsaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 is delivered. At times the detail that comes across is simply frightening, especially with detailed, live recordings. Overall the amplifier is extremely engaging and 'quick listening' becomes a difficult task. Naturally the amplifier is intended for a seasoned audiophile and needs to be coupled with extremely high end equiment, including cables. The ability of the NT'9 to reach as low as 20-25Hz as well as the outstanding design of the FST (fixed suspension transducers)as well as the Nautilus tweeters on these full range speakers make them a perfect match for the Bryston. I have been advised that the amplifier will simply improve as it burns in over the next five years, that is just a bonus for me. Out of the box, the unit was just a real joy. The remote (another optional extra) also carries a 20 year guarantee and is absolutey solidly built. It has a light sensor and will backlight automaticaly depending on the lux levels in your room, very neat if you are using the Bryston to power up your front speakers of the HT system as well, like is the case with me. I am intentionally not going to mention the technical details nor the inputs and outputs that are available on this amplifier, at this price point this is an amplifier beyond technical details, the music is all that matters. Interested audiophiles wanting more information and professional reviews on the Bryston B100 SST DAC should visit the Bryston website or talk to Derek at Mod'n Sound 031 5665510, Durban RSA. Similar Products Used: none at the same price point. |