NEW SP-3 Review

James - does it handle Dolby IIz and IIx?


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James, I am now considering the SP3 for my HT/spare stereo. More than likely, I will use Audio Advisor as the vendor. The review mentioned they had to do a firmware upgrade for some issues. I would like to buy a piece with the latest firmware. Any idea if Audio Advisor's stock has SP3's with the latest firmware.

Thanks.
 
James

A final observation. Yesterday, I listened for several hours (most of the day, actually) and compared a Benchmark DAC2, as an analog input, to the SP3 using a digital source (Squeezebox Touch). There really was no difference in the quality of the sound. The SP3 sounded just fine, compared to a $2,000 DAC. The SP3 is fantastic. The Benchmark is going back. Well done, Bryston.

I wonder if the BDA-2 would be a significant improvement on the SP3 two channel performance?

Jim B.
Wilmette, IL.
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston SP3 Processor Best of 2014

December 2014

Hi Folks,

Bryston is very pleased to announce that our Bryston SP-3 Surround Preamp/Processor has been awarded a BEST OF 2014 AWARD from THE SECRETS OF HOME THEATER MAGAZINE!

LOGO.jpg
BEST OF 2014.jpg
SP3.jpg
 
Chessman's

I purchased the SP3 some time back, but one thing or another delayed my installation until last week. Most of this post is a rave, but I have to join the chorus of complainers about the manual - it just sucks.

I have manually set up Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Sherbourn and Emotiva pre/pros and receivers. I can run XTZ room testing. I was still confused needlessly at one juncture after another setting up the SP3. The most frustrating thing is that the information is actually between the covers of the manual, but finding it is sometimes a treasure hunt.

On to happier news. The sound this unit puts out is simply glorious. Dialog is ultra clear. Movie sound tracks are rendered in amazing detail. Music is Class A bliss. My Silenzio/Esoteric K-01 source is better than the Oppo/SP3 source, but not by as much as I expected.

If you are building a hybrid two channel/home theater rig the SP3 is the answer to your prayers. It is an outstanding pre-amp for two channel. It is an outstanding processor for home theater. It allows tremendously flexible bass control. It allows you to configure sources separately.

One of the best features is the distance setting range for subwoofers. My speakers are in a 9 foot circle around the listening position in a 7.1 configuration. The sub dedicated to redirected bass and LFE is also actually 9 feet away, but per a tip from Barry Ober (JL Audio/The Sound Doctor) I set the distance at 21 feet in the processor. The 12 millisecond gain puts the impulse wave of the sub in perfect timing with the speakers. The result is astonishing!

Bottom line: I am thrilled with this upgrade.


__________________
Randy (1158) - Wilson Sophia 2; BAT VK-600SE, BAT VK-52SE, Esoteric K-01; JL Audio F113 x3; Sound Anchor Stands; Exact Power EP-15 and SP-15; Oppo BDP-83 SE; Bryston SP3; Emotiva MPS-1; Marantz VP-15S front projector; 92" Stewart Firehawk; Rocket 200, 300, 750; ASC Tube Traps; WireWorld Silver Electra 5^2 PC's, Silver Eclipse 6 IC's and Silver Eclipse 6 SC's; Shunyata Hydra 6/Black Mamba CX-HC and Shunyata MPC-12/Venom HC power distribution and conditioning; Stillpoints Ultra 5, Ultra SS and Mini isolation; Clearaudio Concept (MC) turntable; PS Audio GCPH phono stage; Bryston 10B-SUB active cross-over; Sonos streaming; W4S Remedy upsample and clock; Silenzio media server
 
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