Best in Class
Written: Dec 07 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: State of the art on movies
Cons: less overall detail than Krell,Pass labs for music
|
|
|
| Sharpe49's Full Review: Bryston 9B ST PRO Amplifier |
I have often thought that soundtracks and music require different parameters for good reproduction. Music is an emotional experience;watching a movie on a home theater system is a visceral experience. That is the soundtrack is meant to enhance the drama of the story on screen. I chose my audio/home theater equipment accordingly.
For me,music reproduction requires ALL of the detail in a recording to be extracted for the most emotionally involving experience.Equipment capable of reproducing this level performance was,and is,expensive. The equipment required to enhance a movie sound track could be less critical,after all we are reproducing sound effects and who I ask listens to a soundtrack that critically at the expense of the story?
In the last few years manufacturers have begun to close the gap between what would be considered audiophile grade and home theater equipment. Bryston is such a manufacturer. Known for their critically acclaimed consumer and professional amplifiers,this Canadian manufacturer has I believe set itself at the forefront of cost vs. performance ratio. The 9B multi channel amplifier is actually five mono blocks on one chassis. This requires some innovative and ingenious design goals. Bryston has achieved this,implementing five independent power supplies complete with separate toriods.I used this amp with PSB golds ,CC6 and stratus minis. Also used with Legacy Classics, Silver Screen and studios. Sony 7000 dvd player and an Anthem 2 processor.
The amp is rated @ 120 watts 8 ohms, and roughly 200 watts into 4 ohms. As several reviewers have pointed out ,Bryston amps always seem to exceed their stated specs and I have no reason to doubt this. The 9B just never seemed to run out of gas.Earlier Brystons had a reputation for being a little to bright. The ST series have corrected this and I must say that they are as neutral an amp as I have heard. Bass is deep,tight and authoritative. "Bass masters" is a phrase often used to describe their low end capabilities. Clean neutral mid range and open top end complete the sonic signature. Detail is shy of the very best solid state amps,but I refer to amps several times the Bryston 9b. On movies this amp is I believe in the top class of multi channel performers.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3695.00
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Sharpe49
|
|
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.