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From: jacob@psyche.mit.edu (Jacob Feldman)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Bryston preamps
Message-ID: <8276@uwm.edu>
Date: 12 Dec 90 13:47:49 GMT
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Concerning the request for opinions on Bryston preamps--

About two years ago I did a fairly extensive preamp comparison
in the <$1000 range, which included extensive home listening
of the Bryston, VTL (tube), PS Audio 4.6, Adcom, and also
the much more expensive Threshold FET 10 (~$2200).  There
were a lot of intangibles here, like how much imaging precision
you are willing to sacrifice for some tonal warmth, etc., but
my basic conclusion was that the Bryston was not a contender.
(Very brittle, screechy, bright.) 
   The Threshold was certainly the overall best, not surprising given 
the price, but interestingly its imaging was distinctly not as good as 
the PS Audio. 
  The Adcom, which I had owned for years and was replacing is in some 
ways the safest bet if you can't do home listening--very neutral,
not too weak in any department, sweet sounding. (I was replacing
it because it was too veiled, closed off at the top, and attenuated
the bass to an amazing degree, but really I have very fond memories
of it.) 
   The VTL was, well, tuby. Very noisy and unreliable sounding,
too, with all sorts of tonal problems, like rampant coloration. 
   I bought the PS Audio, which in many ways (tonal neutrality,
precision of imaging) blew everything else away. It lacks a 
little in warmth and tonal body, but you can't have everything
for <1K.

-jacob