Vegas CES Show 2016

[James Tanner - Bryston]

https://vimeo.com/151442209

[GeAllan70]

can't stand that song...

nice gears though...

[James Tanner - Bryston]

BLU-RAY DEFINITION MAGAZINE

Bryston debuted its much-anticipated new DAC, the BDA-3.

While its façade resembles the highly regarded BDA-1 and BDA-2, its innards and rear panel have been substantially revised. The BDA-3 can now address PCM sampling rates and word lengths up to 384k/32b, up to 4X DSD (256), and SACD input through HDMI.

I spent ample time listening mostly to, surprise again, CD-files that sounded as good (or better) than many of the so-called hi-res files that were auditioned.

Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

[James Tanner - Bryston]

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Best of CES 2016 – Bryston Cubed Amplifiers

February 2016

Bryston 4B3 (Cubed) stereo amplifier

“For me, the most important electronics introduced at CES 2016 were Bryston’s new Cubed amplifiers.

The 2.5B³, 3B³, and 4B³ stereo amps and 7B³, 14B³, and 28B³ monoblocks are all direct replacements of earlier, similarly named Squared models introduced eight years ago, the names of all of which end with the suffix SST2. (For this new line, Bryston has decided to ditch SST and simply close the superscript 3 up to the B³.

Bryston’s SST2 models have long been held in high regard including by SoundStage! Network writers -- each model offers exceptional sound quality at a very reasonable price, and is backed by a 20-year warranty. And Bryston has a sterling reputation for fixing everything they make, no questions asked. (I’ve run across many companies that offer long warranties, but refuse to fix a problem if they can find a way to blame the buyer for it.)

The Cubed models are purported to sound and measure even better than the Squareds, mainly because of a new, patented input stage that Bryston claims reduces the Squared models’ levels of distortion by 90%. The rejection of common-mode and EMI/RFI noise are also said to be improved. And the Cubeds’ front panels look better than the Squareds’

To me, the sweet spot of Bryston’s Squared line was the 4BSST2 stereo amp -- its power outputs of 300Wpc into 8 ohms or 500Wpc into 4 ohms are enough for most situations, and its retail price is low enough that many serious audiophiles on a budget can afford it.

For me, the 4BSST2 has always been a great benchmark to judge other amps against -- which is why, for a couple of years, my reference system included one. Now there’s the 4B³, with the same specified power outputs and the improvements noted above. Given that the new models are all basically the same as the old, I suspect that the 4B³ will remain the sweet spot in the new line.

As I write this, none of the prices for the Cubed models have been set. But if Bryston’s prices for the new series remain in line with its past products, I suspect that the 4B³ will not cost much more than the previous model -- in which case it should represent at least as good a value as its predecessor.”

Doug Schneider
das@soundstagenetwork.com

[jdandy]

James.......I like the new physical design changes to the faceplates on the new series 3 amps. Very clean look.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by jdandy

James.......I like the new physical design changes to the faceplates on the new series 3 amps. Very clean look.

Wow - nice pic - that was in the Vegas 2016 Show.

We did have some negative response to the new look initially but I think that was because the first few pictures we took really did not show the new cosmetics in the best light. Also once people saw them in the flesh they generally liked what they saw.

james