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Bryston BP25/14B-ST Preamp/Amplifier

Combination,

BIRTHDAY

Bryston celebrates its Birthday: The Canadian amplifier manufacturer is 40 years old. The preamp/amplifier combination with the new 40 Kilo (85 pound) 14B-ST amplifier is reason for rejoicing.

Christoph de Leuw

Do you know a 40 year old HiFi manufacturer? Especially one in the "premium" area? We usually think about Marantz, McIntosh, and Quad -- or no less so about Bryston. The bulk of the other brands are either younger or have disappeared from the marketplace. Bryston, on the other hand, must be considered a perfect example for continuity. This is evident by their conservative production cycles -- an amplifier does not have to be reinvented every year -- and in the almost endless warranty time of 20 (!) years. Also in the marketing area, usually marked by constant coming and going, Bryston insists upon stability: For 15 years now Sun Radio has been responsible for distribution and service in Germany. To sum up: Behind the name "Bryston" stand exceptional confidence inspiring numbers and facts.

The new amplifier flagship 14B-ST inspires confidence. Indeed 40 Kilogram (85 pound) weight, gigantic heat sinks, a thick front panel with rugged handles, and substantial terminals exert a calming effect on contemporaries who are worried about ruggedness and durability. Additionally the largest, heaviest, and most powerful of all Bryston amplifiers should propel every kind of loudspeaker to maximum performance, no matter how low its efficiency. Bryston specifies the 14B-ST amplifier at 500 watts into eight ohms, of course per channel. Loudspeakers that are not satisfied with this must safely be considered flawed designs.

The "Canadian" portrays strength, but it does not want to be a ruffian. The artful, as well as proven, "Quad-Comlimentary" circuitry of Bryston should keep distortion at the lowest possible level. Where usually two different types of transistors "work on" the music vibrations -- respectively one the upper half wave, the other the lower half wave, Bryston combines both sorts into an ingenious mix. In this way naturally occurring differences in the electrical values of both transistor types should equalize, and crossover distortion practically disappears when the two wave halves are put together.

In the shadow of the large amplifier, the BP25 preamplifier appears remarkably unspectacular. It is a carefully made classic in the Bryston assortment, and can only be distinguished from prior versions by perceptive inspection: The external power supply is equipped with regulated stages, volume is controllable by the remote control, and the straight-forward switching scheme was subject to continuous improvement to the last detail. The sinfully expensive transformers from Hammond remained in the phono input. Compared to active amplifying circuitry, they impose less noise on the extremely delicate output voltages of moving coil cartridges assuming an appropriate connection is made. Likewise the earthquake safe workmanship quality, recognizable by thickwalled cabinetry and screws which thread into nuts perfectly recessed into the metal instead of the so commonly used sheet metal screws. In this respect both the preamplifier, as well as the amplifier, are the absolute top benchmark, against which many a highly polished contender must measure himself.

That this policy of small steps, and the continuous product nurturing, stands the test is also impressively acoustically demonstrated by the preamplifier. Certainly there are more spectacularly playing representatives of its kind, some more bred for transparency, or for performing more forcefully in the basement of the frequency range, however only a few are themselves so well voiced. The BP25 preamplifier interfered remarkably little with tonal colors, and was only recognizable by a minimal grainy top range in direct comparison with dream preamplifiers of the order of a Mark Levinson No. 32. The same thing applies when a record player is connected to the elegant Phono-Input. A more careful handling of the analog tones could only be found in those special phono components that cost more than the Bryston preamp/amplifier combination.

The listening test of the amplifier was at first accompanied by a proper portion of skepticism: Can this fire ball still work despite its power? The answer comes easily after numerous listening sessions to the 14B-ST amplifier: The power output data are evidently not in the way of audiophile virtues. This heavy-weight portrayed marvelous tonal colors, showed no strain, and paid appropriate attention to the finest details. With this combination of power output capability and tonal honesty, the 14B-ST amplifier unquestionably marks the high point of the 40 year old amplifier tradition of Bryston. Hearty congratulations!

SUMMARY

C. DE LEUW
Test Manager + Technology

One seldom encounters straight-line High End products like the Bryston preamp/amplifier combination. Here every Euro appears to be invested in functionality and longevity, and not a cent in superficial ornamen-tation. Whoever wants to put the subject "preamp/amplifier" once and for all to bed and not get poor while doing so, is totally correct here. A team for a lifetime.

LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS

Bryston BP25 Preamplifier/14B-ST Amplifier

The 14B-ST amplifier produces phenomenal 956 sinusoidal watts into 8 ohms. The harmless first upper wave dominated the tiny amount of distortion.

The BP25 preamplifier glistens with flawless frequency response and good 96 dB signal to noise ratio.

We invite you to experience the Bryston SST² Series amplifiers

20 Year Warranty - A Generation of Music