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Bryston 3B power amp, BP20 Preamp & MPS-1 power supply

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
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I acquired this Bryston setup last weekend.
Date code on the 3B is Nov. '94. Board in BP20 marked 1993. Cleaned out dust, cleaned and lubed switches, contacts. Waxed cabinets.

I've posted about it in the Jazz thread to others nausea, I'm sure.

It shifted out a Rogue Cronus Magnum V1 tube integrated, 100wpc@8ohms. I was quite satisfied with the the Cronus, driving Magnapan 1.7i speakers.

But the added horsepower, (125wpc@8ohms), 250wpc@4ohms of this SS amp gives more and tighter bass. Through the 1.7i, which are 4 ohm and 86db spl. Now, this is my impression.

It is brighter than the Rogue. I have a Schiit Loki 4 band EQ in it's tape loop. I can reduce treble slightly for CDs or use its bypass switch for vinyl.

BP20 dosen't have a phono stage. I'm using an EAR834 clone 12AX7 phono preamp.
 
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My 3B is a tad bit older than yours but you'll find if tested your probably getting just over 130 wpc at clipping. Bryston is known for under rating their amps. Mine was bench tested at Bryston when it was 16 years old (for free of course) at 131 and 132 watts at clipping. The later model 3B SST has 150 wpc rating.
 
Magnat10 said:
My 3B is a tad bit older than yours but you'll find if tested your probably getting just over 130 wpc at clipping. Bryston is known for under rating their amps. Mine was bench tested at Bryston when it was 16 years old (for free of course) at 131 and 132 watts at clipping. The later model 3B SST has 150 wpc rating.
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It sounds very nice. With thier 20 year warranties. I'm guessing they used top notch caps and other components. No skimping allowed, alike Macintosh.
Thanks for info.
What preamp are you using? I have a mystery with my BP20. It has a power toggle switch on its face, at right. Online manuals on hifiengine don't go back to this version, I guess. Because that switch isn't shown in those manuals. And best I can figure the separate power supply's front power switch is used to turn preamp on/off. And once on with power supply. The BP20 power switch doesn't seem to do anything?
 
Old Guy8 said:
It sounds very nice. With thier 20 year warranties. I'm guessing they used top notch caps and other components. No skimping allowed, alike Macintosh.
Thanks for info.
What preamp are you using? I have a mystery with my BP20. It has a power toggle switch on its face, at right. Online manuals on hifiengine don't go back to this version, I guess. Because that switch isn't shown in those manuals. And best I can figure the separate power supply's front power switch is used to turn preamp on/off. And once on with power supply. The BP20 power switch doesn't seem to do anything?
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http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/Bryston Models BP-20 and BP-25.pdf link to a BP20 manual I found. I have a .5B
 
Magnat10 said:
hope that helps
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I bought my .5B and 3B used around 2005 or 6 and the .5B was 19 years old and the 3B was 16 years old. They both had worn/taped cords and the pre didn't function correctly so I drove to Bryston and dropped them off to be repaired. They replaced the caps in the pre, put new cords on both and bench tested the amp provided a new test sheet all at no charge. You can't go wrong with their stuff the quality is amazing and they stand by their reputation.
 
Old Guy8 said:
It sounds very nice. With thier 20 year warranties. I'm guessing they used top notch caps and other components. No skimping allowed, alike Macintosh.
Thanks for info.
What preamp are you using? I have a mystery with my BP20. It has a power toggle switch on its face, at right. Online manuals on hifiengine don't go back to this version, I guess. Because that switch isn't shown in those manuals. And best I can figure the separate power supply's front power switch is used to turn preamp on/off. And once on with power supply. The BP20 power switch doesn't seem to do anything?
Click to expand...
what I read from the pdf manual you couldn't link to talked about certain configurations spoke about using one setting to turn off both preamp and amp, preamp or using the optional remote's mute button as a power off function when toggle set a certain way. Search bryston bp20 manual and you should find that page I tried to link you on. Someone scanned an old manual to put it on line
 
Magnat10 said:
what I read from the pdf manual you couldn't link to talked about certain configurations spoke about using one setting to turn off both preamp and amp, preamp or using the optional remote's mute button as a power off function when toggle set a certain way. Search bryston bp20 manual and you should find that page I tried to link you on. Someone scanned an old manual to put it on line
Click to expand...
Thanks,
I will look for that page. And also read the manual I already downloaded.
 
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