Show Me The Power

Bryston 5B & 3B Amplifiers

Each step up in my hometheater system, from the entry-level AV receiver to the excellent Carver AV 505 five-channel amp to the amps under review, represents a move toward greater fidelity, greater control and greater enjoyment. With their Sweet tonal character, well-defined midrange, control an(l transparency throughout the spectrum as well as enough power to get you off the line quick - the Bryston 3B and 5B provide a hell of a ride, and represent a real step up in my system. The 3B (two channels) runs $1,565 and the 5B (three channels) $2,465.

If you kick these babies tires, you better he wearing steel-toed boots - they're built like tanks. With quarter-inch slotted-steel faceplates, chunky handles and nicely finished heat sinks, these amps cut a clean, confident profile. At 120 Watts into 8 ohms (200 watts into 4), they're a very stable power source. They clip only at insanely high and constant levels, well beyond the point of pain. Choose single-ended or balanced inputs. A switch on the back panel even allows the amps to run in mono configuration, doubling their power.

The 3B's two channels drove my rear surrounds, and the 5B's three my front three speakers. In this configuration, these amps possessed a smooth, dimensional, slightly warm balance that was a pleasure to listen to. Voices, both male and female, had a natural timbre and a resonance that lacked the mechanical electronic edge that produces a hyped-up, cold feeling. Though not as full-bodied, refined or extended at either of the frequeency extremes as the Krell 300S, the Brystons gave a satisfying account of themselves in all the parameters that define a great amp.

Their transparency made pegging a specific coloration difficult. When wired with the AudioQuest Ruby X3, they seemed a little slow, transient speeds a bit smeared. With the Synergistic's Synergy home-theater interconnects and speaker wire, however, that blurriness went away Transients became Formula 1 quick, detail became more coherent and clear. For a great example of this lithe and nimble performance, check out Toy Story (Walt Disney house video 6703as). The sonics in this technically miraculous, charming film are spectacular. Surround effects are blended tastefully and seamlessly to the main channel's active soundstage. Since we are talking toys here, we get a great variety of plastic clicking, wood blocking and metal boinging, sounds that depend on clean transients to convey reality. With the 3B and 5B, that's what you hear.

In imaging, you can't much fault the Bryston combo. In chapter six of Toy Story, we get to experience a cavalry of stampeding single-digit somethings careening around our loft. The pitter-patter of the little feet is captured naturally, accompanied by joyful shrieks. The orchestra backing up the shenanigans, though well captured timbrally, is a bit foreshortened in depth and space.

Dynamically, both 3B and 5B are lively and when presented with a pedal- to-metal signal, and never fail to leap off the line. My system took on a new- found architecture and stability that allowed the signal to accelerate and decelerate with little lag. In chapter 10 (Toy Story again), Sid, the evil toy-torturing kid, blows up a small action figure with an M80. The explosion is sonically and dynamically complex. First there is a snapping sound, followed immediately by a billowing boom that quickly disappears into the noise floor.

All these components are presented with a dynamic clarity that gives this passage real presence. Unless you have a huge room and super-inefficient speakers, the Brystons may be all you will ever need.

At a hair over $4,000 for the combo, the Brystons may prove to be too heavy for the budget. But don't get the idea that they are not a good value-they are. Superb build quality, a 20-year transferable warrantv (that's not a typo!), a natural tonal balance and stable power delivery make these amps a fine choice for home-theater enthusiasts who want their next step in upgrading to be the leap that sends them into the world of high end performance.

Greg Petan

Sound 7.7 Warmly balanced, lively and dynamic. Excellent detail without sterility Bass control is very good; bass performance is outstanding. Operation 10 Plug em in, set em up, target em for 20 years, Owners manual will make this easy and quick. Value 9 High price is justified by outstanding performance, great build quality and a 20-year warranty from a company that will probably still be around.

We invite you to experience the Bryston SST² Series amplifiers

20 Year Warranty - A Generation of Music