Bryston SP3 Preamp-Processor
 

Here is a pic of the brand new SP3 Preamp-Processor burning in at Bryston.

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...3&d=1316810885

Bryston already has 140 on back order. Retail for the SP3 is $9500

I predict that this will be one of the best performing pre-pros available to date.

You may just be right.

I think that black one in the middle may be mine :D

:banana:

At Klangbilder in Vienna

Inside
http://www.hifistatement.net/images/...r/L1010559.jpg

Very nice looking :thumbsup:surround unit Jeff !

So the SP3 has not been officially released, correct? The website only shows info on
the SP2. I would like to see the specs on this one. It does look to be a serious HT preamp.

[Edit] So I guess it's been released, but not many details been released.

Here is the SP-3 manual

Here is the SP-2 manual

Thanks for the docs Ivan!!

:thumbsup:

I do like the silver better than the black. :thumbsup:

Jim

I normally prefer all the gear in black, but somehow the Bryston products look better
in silver.

Sal

I agree........Bryston looks better in Silver to me as well:thumbsup:

Me too, and I would normally go black. :yes:

I'm partial to silver too....

I guess a Bryston pre/pro would be nice for my Bryston powered theater but I doubt this one can spank my Krell S1200!

Only Krell designed preamplifier circuitry is employed within every channel utilizing discrete current based Class A, direct coupled circuitry for the greatest signal purity and highest bandwidth. Performance robbing op amps or integrated circuits are not used anywhere in the audio path. Preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes analog stereo inputs directly to a balanced resistor ladder volume control for ultimate music reproduction.


The heart of a Krell surround sound preamp/processors is sound quality. We start with a great sounding preamplifier and then pair that to the latest in surround processing technology. The S-1200 3D includes our finest audio and video engineering plus the latest in connectivity technology, to insure the ultimate home theater experience for our customers. Borrowing key technologies, the audio signal path is a direct descendant of our Evolution 707 3D Reference Surround preamp/processor. The S-1200 3D also uses the same DSP engine and 1080p video stage from the Evolution 707 3D. Also available without 3D compatibility, the S-1200 and S-1200u presents a purity of sound and video resolution previously unavailable in home theater systems.

At the hub of the S-1200 3D digital signal processing is a pair of dual core 32 bit Cirrus CS497004 DSP's performing 1.8 giga operations per second. Digital signals are then routed to 24 bit ESS Sabre DACS.


The video content is treated to the same high performance engineering as the audio signals. Video circuitry takes full advantage of the new Deep Color specifications. Maximum color depth has been increased from 24 bits to 48 bits and bandwidth from 165MHz to 340 MHz. Full video transcoding converts composite, S-Video, or component inputs to HDMI signals. Furthermore, the S-1200u 3D model includes upconversion to a maximum of 1080p resolution. The S-1200 3D is a true "one connection solution " with on-screen display, configuration menus, and status messages available from all active video outputs including HDMI.

Did you just write that? :scratch2:

Copy and paste, so much easier! :D

Yes but without quotation marks. I started reading this as your statement but, as soon as I realized it was boilerplate, I stopped.

A million apologies for such a terrible oversight! Sheesh... :tears:

I didn't mean to dump on you but it does make a difference.

http://lolcat.nl/images/lolcat/Image00152.jpg

:D

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: SP3 Customer Response

DATE: November 2011

SP-3 Customer Response

“Hi James,

It's been about four and a half years since I placed my order for an SP-2. I can still remember, despite my old age, how excited I was waiting for it to arrive. I had been using a Denon receiver for my preamp/processor and I just knew the SP-2 was going to be a major improvement, the answer to all of the problems with my system. My expectations were really high.

Unfortunately, those expectations were never met. It is true that the SP-2 improved the sound of my system, but not to the degree that I had hoped. The Denon receiver was their reference receiver at the time, so maybe my expectations were too unreasonable. I was convinced that any issues I might have had with my system were not related to my preamp/processor.

So it goes that when I placed my order for an SP-3, I wasn't looking for, or expecting, major improvements in the sound of my system. In fact, I wasn't expecting it to sound much different at all. I justified the added cost on my desire to have the convenience of HDMI inputs and the corresponding reduction in the mass of cables required for connecting my equipment to my SP-2.

I was, however, anxious to see if I could improve the sound of my 2-channel listening with the balanced inputs on the SP-3. James, the difference is unreal. Can balanced inputs really improve the sound that much? Maybe I should have invested in a BP26 a long time ago. I thought of doing so on many occasions. I could have even drug out my Linn Sondek LP-12 turntable that's been stashed in my closet for about ten years. I haven't had a phono preamp since selling my Naim equipment in the early 2000's.

Back to the sound. The background noise, almost nonexistent before, or so I thought, just got substantially quieter. The soundstage substantially deeper. I am hearing inner detail that I have never heard before. The entire audio spectrum sounds cleaner and more pronounced. Surely this improvement goes beyond the benefits of using balanced inputs. By the way, my cabling is basically the same, Kimber Kable KS-1016's with RCA's vs. Kimber Kable KS-1116's with XLR's.

I'm sure others will see major improvements in the audio from video sources as well. I don't try to critique the audio from video sources like I do audio sources. I was content with the audio from the analog outs of my Oppo BDP-95. I'm sure the SP-3 will be just as satisfying, if not more so, with the HDMI connection. Again, I love the convenience of HDMI for video sources.

Access to menu settings is much improved as well, making setup a breeze. The much larger display helps in this regard. I really like the large display of the volume setting which takes up all four lines of the display when changing the volume. I sit about 15 feet from my equipment, yet I can easily see the volume setting on the display.

I had posted concerns about the lack of an analog balance control on the SP-3. My room is not a perfect rectangle, so having the ability to adjust the left/right balance of my analog sources is critical. You had indicated that I could do so in the trim settings. I still don't quite understand how trim settings can be made in bypass mode, but they work wonderfully. Actually much better than the old analog balance control.

I'm still hoping that Bryston will eventually maximize use of the network connection by releasing an app that allows for control of the SP-3 over the Internet. Wishful thinking probably.

Congratulations on the release of this outstanding product. I have no doubt that the reviews of the SP-3 will be much better than the reviews were for the SP-2. Not that the SP-2 reviews were bad, but the SP-3 really is a special product.”

Sincerely,
Gary Listen

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJzkjZNHNIQ&feature=related]CEDIA 2011: Bryston Talks About the SP3 Suroundsound Processor - YouTube[/ame]

How does the audio section in the SP3 compared to the BP-26 with external power supply?

A few of my Bryston customers that have bought the SP3 have commented on how good the audio section is, these are people that are more into 2 channel than HT.....

Hi Tommy,

The 2-channel bypass in the SP3 is the same circuitry as the BP26.

james

So the SP3 incorporates both the BP26 and BDA1?

Hi

In some ways yes - the Dac in the SP3 is the same but the function is different - the SP3 is designed around Surround first and foremost whereas the BDA is Stereo based.

James

From: w.aschenberger
Sent: November-24-11 6:54 AM
To: jamestanner@bryston.ca
Subject: SP3


Hello Mr. Tanner,


Well Mr. Tanner, what can I say: I call a SP3 Processor since about 3 weeks my own.
This Processor ist just awsome!! The performance is stunning!
Total control over the whole spectrum, very clear accurate sound, very crisp reproduction, very logic and easy to use, ......could go on and on....

Have 2 Bryston Power Packs and a 9B SST (3 channel) as Power Amps connected.
Drive a 5.0 PMC Speaker Set up.
Just wanted to tell you that the SP3 is the crown to my Sourround System!! - Perfect!!

Mit freundlichen Grüssen

Werner Aschenberger
RCM design GmbH

From: Robert Fijałkowski
Sent: November-24-11 11:38 AM
To: James Tanner
Subject: Re: SP3

Dear James,

Unfortunately I compare SP3 with my Apogee Ensemble in my flat... I thought that the Apogee is a professional converter... SP3 "killed" Apogee by dynamic, clarity, resolution , everything!

Best regards

Robert Fijałkowski
MJ AUDIO LAB

DATE: December 2011
Mr. GRAVY

Re: Bryston SP-3 Report
STUNNING

Hey gents - here is a shot of an unboxed black rackmount SP-3 for anyone that likes pictures. I've yet to sit down and document the detailed differences that I'm hearing between the SP1.7 and the SP-3, and will do that soon - I'm hoping over the holidays things will slow down enough for a critical listen and review.

To start - I absolutely loved the sonics of my SP1.7. I found the noise floor so low that the dynamic range in music and movies really shined. If anyone wants to get into high-end 5.1 multichannel, the SP1.7 is a great piece. I hated to have to list it for sale, but it is time to move on and move up.

The short story on the SP-3 is that this experience is even better. The clarity of dialogue from the centre channel, and the range from quiet to explosive dynamics on the mains and rears is incredibly engaging.

For the very first time, I watched a DTS-HD lossless Bluray track (Green Lantern) and I was incredibly engaged by the clarity and dynamics of the sound. When the audio is quiet, it is truly black. This adds so much to the dynamic range. Too bad it couldn't help with the storyline. *rimshot*

Contrast that against just how easy it is to listen to the SP-3 at very high volume (my movie reference volume) that I didn't realize how loud and clear the audio was until I tried to comment on a scene to my wife sitting beside me, and she couldn't hear me. It blows away any theatre experience I've had, bar none.

One more word – stunning!

Bryston SP3

After waiting for a couple of years to replace my Bryston SP 1.7 I finally took delivery on Tuesday December 20th of a Bryston SP3. Thanks to Absolute Audio in Calgary and Jim Spence and James Tanner at Bryston I am able to have some time over the holidays to put it through its paces. I had to leave on vacation so all I have had time to do is spend some time with 2 channel SACD and Vinyl.

A little background:

I have an acoustically treated media room that is 15 X 18 X 9 and with the help of an RTA it measures fairly flat response at the primary seating position except for a 3 db bump at 80 htz. Although this is a 7.1 channel home theater my passion is 2 channel and thus the room is optimized for that.

Power Conditioner: PS Audio Power Plant Premium
Power: Bryston 4B SST and 9B SST
Speakers: Usher Mini Dancer 2 DMD with the DMD Center.
Digital Source: Marantz UD 9004 and Logitech Squeezebox Touch to my iMac music server.
Analogue Source: VPI Scoutmaster with Ortofon Kontrapunkt B and EAR 834P phono.

After letting it "warm" up over night I loaded my favorite SACD, Jen Chapin reVisions. I sat down and the first thing I noticed was how much bigger my room became. I waited for the second song and thought how much better my center channel speaker sounded. In fact it sounded like a different speaker. I then realized I must have set the SP3 to 7.1 channel bypass. I listened to another song before I went to the SP3 to set it a 2 channel. I was shocked to see that it WAS set at 2 channel. I finally achieved that window of sound in my media room. I was very happy with the SP1.7 and compared it to many "reference quality" analogue preamps costing much more money. The SP3 is in a different league. It not only made my room bigger but I noticed I could hear things around instruments and voices that just were not apparent before.

I switched to the VPI for an hour and played one of my go to Allison Krauss albums and then the new Pat Matheny. The sound was equally as impresive. In fact on vinyly the width and depth of my soundstage seamed to open up even more. Overall I have only spent a couple of hours with the SP3 and only in analogue 2 channel. When I am back from holidays I will get into my favorite blu rays and I am sure will be even more impressed.

My first impression is that purely as a 2 channel analogue pre amp the SP3 is well worth the price. I can't wait to hear the DAC and the 7.1 processing.

I am looking forward to next week.

DRC

My buddy Mike just got himself one for Christmas . I will be going over fro a test drive soon !

From: Marc
Sent: January-27-12 2:47 AM
To: James Tanner; Melissa Myles
Subject: Thank You!

Hi James & Melissa,

Thank you very much for taking care of me with the SP3 & 6B amplifier. It is the most significant electronics upgrade I have experienced, and thought you might be interested in hearing about it.
The quality of sound that I normally only experience in (treated) demo rooms is now in my (far from acoustically ideal, untreated) living room.

At first, I resisted the temptation to install both pieces and instead just replaced my Classe' 400 with the 6B. I was amazed at the increase in detail, soundstage, and clarity. I listened to it for a few hours being driven by multiple sources through my Krell HTS. Fantastic.

Last night I replaced the Krell HTS with the SP3, I was amazed even more. I listened to many familiar pieces and do not understand how you could have extracted so much detail from a Redbook CD bitstream.

I heard an immense amount of detail that I did not know existed on CDs and DVDs that I have owned for years. It sounded like the band or orchestra was in front of me and I'm thrilled with the increased amount of presence, almost seeing where the musicians are playing.

I think back to our conversation James when I asked you how these pieces of equipment might compare, and I admire your modesty and how you focused the discussion on features instead. My Thiel CS 3.7's are singing better than I thought they could - and - the break-in period has just started!

My thanks, admiration, and respect.

Best,
Marc

From: Gerry Emberson
Sent: January-29-12 6:34 PM
To: James Tanner
Subject: Re: SP3

Well Well James,

You have a winner in the SP3!
I picked it up this weekend and hooked it up today I LOVE the sound!

Thank you and all the Bryston Staff for such a great product!

Gerry

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers January 2012
SUBJECT: BRYSTON SP3 Customer Feedback

From: Bill
Sent: January-31-12 3:58 PM
To: James Tanner
Subject: RE: SP3

Hi James

This SP-3 thing sounds so good it’s still amazing to me, even after all this time.

I have used it with two different sets of power amps, and I find that it is making my system MUCH more enjoyable sonically than ever before. For a PrePro to do this is more than amazing. I have replaced a highly regarded tube preamp (it sold immediately, lots of demand) and the SP3 sounds way better than it did. And for it to sound so good via HDMI is quite a feat also. I no longer need all those analog cables going from my universal player to the prepro, as I just use HDMI and it sounds better than ever, even on SACD despite that you are committing the reported mortal sin of converting that to PCM prior to conversion to analog. My SACD’s have never sounded better.

So, this thing is a world beater. I have tried every other pre/pro they have, and some they don’t, and the SP3 is just way better than anything else out there.

Been waiting for 15 years for someone to get this right.

Thanks,
Bill - Microsoft Corporation

Sp3 - usb dac
 

I have several questions regarding how the USB input work on the SP3.

Does the DAC in the SP3 function as an independent DAC via the USB input and all digital inputs?

Will the SP3's USB input play music files from a Windows PC, running J River Media Center, output high rez files of up to 24 bit 192 kHz sampling rate via the computer's USB2 output port.

Are music files played in their native resolution or are all files automatically upsampled to 24/192?

Thanks for your response.

Hi,

The USB is 16 bit / 48K but it is modular. We are working on a new USB module that will allow for 192/24 but that is a few months off.

james