Mcintosh 2105 VS Bryston 4b

erniejade

erniejade

Active Member
I currently have a McIntosh 2105 but looking for a change. I am considering a Bryston 4b. I can trade even up. Has anyone companied the 2 amplifiers?

The rest of the system Polk SDA either 1.2 or 2.3, ( both non tl) Jolida cd player w EI tubes, Carver C-19 gone over by rolland preamp.

Looking for a little more grunt while keeping the smoothness and bass of the McIntosh.
Not sure what series the Bryston is but here are the pics http://pic5.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1291420227.jpg

http://pic5.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1291420231.jpg


Now here is the other question. Value. The Mcintosh really does not go down in value. In 3-5 years, I can still sell it for the same money. The bryston though, I am not sure if it will hold its value as good as the McIntosh.?

As a lot of us do in this hobby we change equipment a lot trying different things out so, resale is important to me. Outside of 1 or 2 pieces of equipment, I seem to change a lot so opinions on resale as well as the sound or sound difference is welcomed. I have never owned a bryston and I thought this might be a way to get into one for 0 money.

Or should I sell the McIntosh outright, and save up for a newer version of the Bryston?

Thanks for the opinions.
 
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Over the the two....I preferred the Bryston as IMO it was more accurate to piano keys sounding real. Over the two I prefer my EDGE amp that said it was a Krell and Bryston killer....and it really is. tough to find but definitly worth it. I upgraded fronm the Bryston to this.
 
Are the Polk SDA's capable of being biamped? If so, it opens up the possibilities. You could keep your Mac and install the Bryston on the bottom end. If it doesn't bring satisfactoy improvement, you could resell it and recoup most, if not all, of your money. Another alternative would be to buy a less expensive amp with more power and do the same thing, at least getting an idea if it will be an improvement.

If you are a "one-system,one-amp" kind of guy, I would suggest you visit a retail shop that will let you audition an amp or solicit the same through your buddies that are local AK'ers.

I don't think parting with your 2105 to see if their is improvement with something else is the way to go. Good luck with your system.
 
I did try the SDA's bi amped on 2 adcom 555 the mcintosh just sounded better to me. More on the bottom end and not as harsh on the top end. Granted I could go WAY louder on the 2 adcoms but at normal volume, the 2105 had a smoother overall sound.

Actually I still have 1 555 left lol and a sunfire sig II 625 x 2 on the carver amazing originals.



MeatInStereo I did a search on google for the edge amplifier and it only came up with car audio stuff. DO you have a model number or a link so I can take a look at one?
 
erniejade said:
I did try the SDA's bi amped on 2 adcom 555 the mcintosh just sounded better to me. More on the bottom end and not as harsh on the top end. Granted I could go WAY louder on the 2 adcoms but at normal volume, the 2105 had a smoother overall sound.

Actually I still have 1 555 left lol and a sunfire sig II 625 x 2 on the carver amazing originals.



MeatInStereo I did a search on google for the edge amplifier and it only came up with car audio stuff. DO you have a model number or a link so I can take a look at one?
Click to expand...

I have never donr it before but I have read that Adcom 555's don't biamp well....
 
MeatInStereo said:
Over the the two....I preferred the Bryston as IMO it was more accurate to piano keys sounding real. Over the two I prefer my EDGE amp that said it was a Krell and Bryston killer....and it really is. tough to find but definitly worth it. I upgraded fronm the Bryston to this.
Click to expand...

I could only say that once I've added a Bryston 4B to my system, I stopped looking for other power amps. Very clean, transparent and natural sound (I play classical music).
 
The edg is a little out of my price range LOL looks like a great amp though. Nice!! Something to keep my eye open for.


YEP the 555 bi amped did not sound good at all for me.

Outside of sound, because I do change equipment around a lot, i am worried about resale. The McIntosh i wont loose any value on. BUT the bryston 4b does have some great reviews. I might just go down there and do a side by side on them.
 
guiller said:
I could only say that once I've added a Bryston 4B to my system, I stopped looking for other power amps. Very clean, transparent and natural sound (I play classical music).
Click to expand...

The 4b was no slouch... it just didn't have the dynamics I needed for my setup at the time.
 
The Bryston is in the same league as the Mc, but it has a different sound for sure. I would characterize it as a little more forward. The Bryston has terrific dynamics, better than the Mc, in my opinion, but it can be fatiguing, depending on the the speakers and the type of music you like to listen to.

The Bryston pictured is an older model. It will hold it's price as well as the Mc in my opinion. The are highly regarded in pro audio circles. The newer models are less fatiguing while retaining their that special dynamic magic that Bryston is known for.

Bryston is well worth investigating. To me, they sound very very good.
 
Bryston gear is more bright sounding and open on top. Build quality is equivalent to McIntosh and their support of older gear is equal to McIntosh. McIntosh is warmer sounding and more romantic and lush. I also love Bryston and they're a superb company in customer service. I enjoy both. Bryston gear is also superb on holding resale value through the ages.
 
This is a hard choice. Looks wise, the McIntosh hands down. The store won't have a set of 1.2's there and I am not going to lug 185 lb speakers.

I might go for it. I emailed the store they asked for an even up trade but I think at the price they are asking 749 or best offer, and that model seems to go for on ebay 650 ish for that year, I think trade + 100 to me is fair.
 
posted before I saw Marc's post.

Marc why do you say keep the Mac? What did you like better on it? ( outside of looks )
 
I would keep the mac because its not a move up to the Bryston. The Mac is a known entity from a functionality standpoint (you know it has no issues)

The Bryston has more power and that might be a reason. But outside that I would pass.

marc mc
 
I own a Bryston 14B SST, and if you do get a Bryston, and I am assuming that both are new amps, find me a company that offers a 20 year transferable warranty providing it is from an authorized dealer.

Moreover, the 4B has tremendous bass, and this is a Bryston strength. I use my 14B to power subs and they could not get any better.

The Bryston sound is a tad dry, perhaps, but only if you compare to Class A, which is rare.

Given the choice, I would take the Bryston. I am sure my bias is obvious, but quality to price ratio cannot be overlooked either.
 
marc mac That does make sense. My basement where the sda's are at is 24 x 24 feet so i was thinking of the more power aspect. I put the SDA's on my Sunfire sig. 625 x 2 and it really woke them up so I thought the extra power might be the key in that one. The Sunfire amp was only bought to run the carver amazing originals since they are 84 efficiency and dip to 1 ohm. Not that many amps can run them.

I tried the SDA on the adcom 555 and again at higher volumes it seems a bit smoother but, the adcom vs the mcintosh,,,, The McIntosh at lower volume wins hands down, warmer, smoother, and just has a magical sound. I am looking for that same sound a bit louder. That room is hard to fill up with sound.


Ill give you an example, I had a set of vandersteen 3b. An excellent speaker but, in my 24 x 24 basement they sounded horrible and next to the polk 2.3 and carver amazing, they sounded lost. WHen i had the vandies in my living room of 18 x 13 though, I loved the sound of them. That was on the McIntosh. On the 555 The vandies to me got harsh sounding and harsh is NOT what anyone would describe a vandersteen speaker.

So I am thinking a bit more power but keeping close to the same McIntosh sound. I was hopping the 4b might do the trick but, it looks like it might not. I might have to just save up a bit more and find a 200 + per McIntosh or the newer version of the 4b. It seems the newer version of the 4b would take the edge off the highs, ( one of the things I don't like about the adcom 555)
 
erniejade said:
marc mac That does make sense. My basement where the sda's are at is 24 x 24 feet so i was thinking of the more power aspect. I put the SDA's on my Sunfire sig. 625 x 2 and it really woke them up so I thought the extra power might be the key in that one. The Sunfire amp was only bought to run the carver amazing originals since they are 84 efficiency and dip to 1 ohm. Not that many amps can run them.

I tried the SDA on the adcom 555 and again at higher volumes it seems a bit smoother but, the adcom vs the mcintosh,,,, The McIntosh at lower volume wins hands down, warmer, smoother, and just has a magical sound. I am looking for that same sound a bit louder. That room is hard to fill up with sound.


Ill give you an example, I had a set of vandersteen 3b. An excellent speaker but, in my 24 x 24 basement they sounded horrible and next to the polk 2.3 and carver amazing, they sounded lost. WHen i had the vandies in my living room of 18 x 13 though, I loved the sound of them. That was on the McIntosh. On the 555 The vandies to me got harsh sounding and harsh is NOT what anyone would describe a vandersteen speaker.

So I am thinking a bit more power but keeping close to the same McIntosh sound. I was hopping the 4b might do the trick but, it looks like it might not. I might have to just save up a bit more and find a 200 + per McIntosh or the newer version of the 4b. It seems the newer version of the 4b would take the edge off the highs, ( one of the things I don't like about the adcom 555)
Click to expand...

If i might, i would like to suggest a Van alstine 550 ultra. With a double die option your looking at about 300 watts a channel into 8 ohms, and its smooth but detail retrieval is excellent.

I have the older 550ex version that i want to upgrade and i am even wondering if i should it sounds so good.
 
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