Anyone getting a pair of Bryston 28SST2's?

Zero said:
Man, I've read nothing but great things about the 28 BSST2's. Who knows, maybe Joe will hold onto them for more than a couple seconds.. :D
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I hope so, with a 20 year warranty I'd be crazy to give them up. Seriously, they are great.

audio.bill said:
I'd be curious whether anyone has compared the sound quality of their 7BSST² amps to the 28BSST²? They still have more than enough power for most systems and are significantly less expensive. TIA to anyone who can provide any perspective on this comparison.
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I'd like others opinion on this too. I know James says they are voiced the same but I've heard more praise for the 28's than anything else.

audio.bill said:
Joe, I'd also be interested in your thoughts on how the 28BSST² amps compare to the Hegel H30 that I believe you previously owned. Thanks very kindly!
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To be honest I thought the H30 was stunning and I still do, but I need a softer/sweeter preamp in front of the H30 to round off the top and smooth the H30 out. The McIntosh C500T works superbly as boes my CJ GAT. I suspect VAC and ARC preamps as well as BAT preamps should be superb in front of the H30. The H30 has a little more aggressive (but not in a bad way) presentation. For me and my taste, I do prefer the Bryston 28BSST2's. They are a little smoother (in a good way) and as good or better in most ways compared to the H30. I could live with either in the right system but love the 28's more.
 
Joe, thanks for your prompt response and perspective. When I heard the Hegel H30 it was being driven by the Manley 300B, so it was also benefiting from the warmth of having a tube preamp driving it. Btw, there seems to be a bit of a problem with the site today since I was also unable to edit my previous posts.
 
Mike said:
George - he just acquires!
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:hi:

Audioseduction said:
Big congrats Joe. Those are killer looking amps! You sold the Pass gear?
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Hi George,

I did. I was originally going to get point 8 Pass amps but I've wanted 28BSST2's for a long time. I ended up trading the XA60.5's for the VAC Sigma 160i SE. I do think the VAC 160i SE is better but still love/appreciate the XA60.5's. I still remain committed to a pair of point 8 Pass amps in the future (either 60.8 or 160.8, not sure but most likely 60.8 unless by some miracle I can get into a pair of Xs-150's :D).
 
audio.bill said:
Joe, thanks for your prompt response and perspective. When I heard the Hegel H30 it was being driven by the Manley 300B, so it was also benefiting from the warmth of having a tube preamp driving it. Btw, there seems to be a bit of a problem with the site today since I was also unable to edit my previous posts.
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I think more than a few of us are having editing issues, not sure what's up. I told Mike.

I bet the Manley 300B in front of the H30 is killer. I love the H30, but want a sweeter tone from it. Give me warmth or give me death. :(
 
This site has MAJOR issues with editing on an iPad. Has been that way for months, or longer.

Joe, do the 28SST2 operate in class A for the first 100 or so watts? The Pass X600.5 or X600.8 have approximate power ratings to the 28, but operate in Class A for most 'normal' listening. The .8 stay in Class A a bit longer than the .5
 
BlueFox said:
This site has MAJOR issues with editing on an iPad. Has been that way for months, or longer.

Joe, do the 28SST2 operate in class A for the first 100 or so watts? The Pass X600.5 or X600.8 have approximate power ratings to the 28, but operate in Class A for most 'normal' listening. The .8 stay in Class A a bit longer than the .5
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Hi Bud,

I am not sure, I hope James can clarify. I know they are Class A/B and maybe a few watts Class A, if that much. The manual specifies a POWER CONSUMPTION of 215 Watts at idle. Not sure if that is each or both. They do feel warm to the touch. My Pass XA60.5's consumed 200 watts at idle, each. The 28's don't feel as warm but heat up a little with a prolonged play time. The Brystons are not spec'd like the Pass.
 
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Bud,

Bryston addresses the issue of low distortion and Class A operation in the supporting amplifier brochures on their website, as follows:

"From input to output, all the circuitry in the SST2 C–Series of amps has been optimized for the most accurate performance possible. All analog signal circuitry is fully discrete to avoid the compromises, phase shift, and non-linearities inherent in IC’s. The Bryston SST2 C–Series2 amplifiers incorporate an innovative gain stage topology, which yields a substantially lower noise floor through the use of low-impedance pathways within the amplifier, and has strong advantages in reducing overall distortion. Bryston’s computer controlled distortion analyzers confirm that IM distortion of less than 10 parts per million (below 0.0009%) are typical for this new circuitry. All SST2 amplifiers use Bryston’s proprietary output stage, which we call “Quad-Complementary.” The Quad-Complementary topology improves linearity to a new standard of accuracy, while virtually eliminating aggressive higher harmonic distortion products. The overall harmonic distribution of Bryston’s Quad-Complementary output stage closely approaches an ideal Class-A output, except that the overall distortion is actually much lower. (True class-A output stages suffer from relatively high current-induced distortion levels, consisting of mostly lower-order harmonics). The listening characteristics display a high degree of transparency without harshness or grain. The annoyances previously ascribed to ‘transistor sound’ are absent, and the amplifier seems to combine the seductive lushness of tube equipment with the focus and accuracy of solid-state."

So they don't specify the exact level of Class A operation before they switch to A/B, but it is likely relatively low as Joe stated in his post above.
 
Joe

Glad you like the Bryston's, plus I bet you don't have to drop the thermostat to run them like with Pass. You can make good sounding SS amps without making "space heaters", a lot of companies do it.
 
Jack said:
Joe

Glad you like the Bryston's, plus I bet you don't have to drop the thermostat to run them like with Pass. You can make good sounding SS amps without making "space heaters", a lot of companies do it.
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Agreed and thank you. Yes, I know they are on, but do NOT heat up the room like my other gear. There is something very satisfying about my 28BSST2's that I can not put my finger on. They have an awesome presentation.
 
Jack said:
Joe

Glad you like the Bryston's, plus I bet you don't have to drop the thermostat to run them like with Pass. You can make good sounding SS amps without making "space heaters", a lot of companies do it.
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That's one of the many things about the 28s that I like. I previously had the Parasound JC1s, which are awesome amps and, IMO, the best amps you can buy for under $10K MSRP. They are absolute space heaters, though. The 28s, on the other hand, stay relatively cool to the touch even after several hours of operation.

Joe's description of the sound is consistent with my impressions. It is difficult to pinpoint a singular characteristic with these amps, as they do everything well. Crisp highs without harshness, smooth, clear mids, and robust bass without the sloppiness that some amps exhibit. They are keepers for me.
 
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