Authorized Reprint of Audio Review

Reviewed by: Troy Richards
August 2003

The Bryston SP 1.7 is the best AV preamp processor I have yet owned. I previously owned the Krell HTS, Proceed AVP-S, Meridian 568, and had personal experience with the Linn 5103 and Theta Casablanca. This Bryston unit when used in bypass 2 channel betters these other units by a large margin in terms of transparency, detail, and naturalness. I believe this level of performance of the Bryston unit is due to its lack of video switching, and its analog volume control and discrete output stages.

I have owned many of the best stereo preamps and am able to substitute the SP 1.7 into my 2 channel rig with no loss of musicality or naturalness. This is a big deal because no other AV preamp I've owned has been able to do this. Unlike their amplifiers, the SP1.7 can not be mistaken for bright or thin sounding in the high frequencies. In fact, the highs are natural and transparent, the midrange is warm and detailed, and the bass is phenomenal. It doesn't quite reach the spaciousness in the soundstage that I get with my Hovland but most stereo solid state preamps don't either.

I particularly like its balanced outputs for long runs to the surround channel amplifier.

Overall, this preamp has the best 2 channel performance of any AV processor I've yet heard. Its performance on surround sound is on par with the Theta and Krell units. It is more detailed and natural sounding than the Proceed AVP and Meridian units. This is the first processor that has had me seriously considering changing to one system for both audio and video.

It doesn't have video switching but I use a Lumagen Vision Pro to scale all my material to 1080i anyway so I don't miss it. The companion switcher is $1500 or so I think, and must be purchased separately.

Again, in 2 channel bypass, the preamp betters every other AV processor I've heard and is comparable to 5-6K stereo preamps. The SP1.7 definitely betters Bryston's own BP20. I do prefer my Hovland but I think it betters my VTL 5.5.

This amazing preamp's performance can be summed up in 3 words: Transparent and Natural.

Strengths:

Analog Volume Control with discrete output stages.
Incredible transparency and detail comparable to analog stereo preamps.
Balanced outputs for front,center,& surrounds.
20 year warranty.
6 channel inputs for SACD and DVDA

Weaknesses:

No video switching.
Heavy remote
No auto calibration- have to enter in distances and levels

Similar Products Used:

Krell KAV 3250
Anthem PVA7
Krell HTS
Proceed AVP-S
Meridian 568

We invite you to experience the Bryston SST² Series amplifiers

20 Year Warranty - A Generation of Music