Planning to upgrade my amp for all the wrong reasons

[Svend P]

If you could tell the difference don't you think manufacturers would publish these blind tests to help market their products? Fun fact: They all sound the same

Also as an example: the NAD 2200 from 1984 hasn't been meaningful bettered by modern amplifiers

NAD 2200 Vintage Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of a refurbished and upgraded NAD 2200 stereo amplifier. It was bought by a member, sent to QuirkAudio to be fully updated and then loaned to me. The work that Peter has done is exemplary. The inside looks brand new! I have repaired hundreds of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Egbert]

You ignore the enormous qualitative development in audio

Please explain how amplifiers can have a different sound, when they measure ruler flat and have noise and distortion below human perception?

Reviewers and manufacturers have lied to you, and told you that this is what amplifiers does:

View attachment 504594
when in reality they all measure like this

View attachment 504595

Sorry, but I only trust my ears. I share with you the necessary sepsis. But then with regard to expensive cabling and audio switches. Personally, I use cheap cables used in recording studios.

 

[MAB]

The "wrong" reasons being that I want to improve the appearance and operation of my system, but I don't think I can get any improvement in sound. In my living room system I have B&W 702 S3 floor standing speakers which I very much like and will keep. They are driven by a Moon 330A amp at 125 Wpc, which in turn is driven by a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, while the sources are a Naim streamer and server, and an AudioLab 9000CDT. Some things are black, some chrome, and all the styles are completely different. It looks a visual mess! And each has its own remote. I have on order a new custom built stereo stand, but I realized that the visual clutter will remain if I don't change the electronics.

I would like to get a really good integrated amp and a "matching" CD player (I feel guilty even writing that!). As I live near Toronto I have always been aware of Bryston, who are within a few hours drive, but have never owned any of their stuff. Now could be the time to change. I am thinking of the Bi200 integrated amp and possibly the BCD3 player. I would keep the Naim streamer and hide it on a lower shelf. I think that should sound as good as what I have now and look good doing it. Any thoughts?

I should also say that I have a full Benchmark system (DAC 3B, HPA4, and AHB2) in another room driving KEF R3 Meta speakers. It also sounds excellent (of course!), and I very much enjoy it. I thought of moving it to the living room, but it doesn't win any prizes for beauty either. It has a very industrial look and would not fit with the room. So... a very nice problem to have, you are probably thinking, but I am getting on in years, and can afford equipment now I could only dream about while my family was growing up, so why not?

I would appreciate any thoughts on the Bryston or good alternatives. (I thought briefly about Accuphase as they get lots of love here, but the price is outside my range, and I like the local aspect of Bryston.)

If you like Bryston, you should get their gear. I own a few Bryston products, mostly from the '80s and '90s. I tested a few of my pieces, they have tremendous performance.

Bryston BP-25 Preamp, 10B-Sub Electronic Crossover, and 3B-ST Amplifier - Measurements and Review

Here are the results of measurements of a stack of classic Bryston gear from the mid-1990s. A BP-25 preamp, 10B-Sub electronic crossover, and a 3BST power amplifier. I bought these three pieces new. The BP-25 preamp has been in various systems over the years, is the basic model without the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Bryston 7BST 600 Watt Monoblock Review

I recently reviewed a stack of classic Bryston gear, including a 3BST amplifier. I was pleasantly surprised at the good results. I have the big brothers of that 3BST amp, the 7BST monoblocks. I also recently built a resistive load with enough capacity to test such a powerful amp. Here is a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

All of this gear meets or exceeds it's specs, and is audibly transparent.
I also like the look. Everybody has an opinion on looks.
The switches and controls all operate as new and have a good feel.
I really appreciate the reliability and the incredible warranty, in case it ever does break.

The only circumstance where an amp like a Benchmark will audibly outperform is in noise, but you would have to get out a high efficiency driver like a D2 Compression driver and lens to even have a chance to hear the difference:

Topping B100 Amplifier Review

V3 Monos have PFFB circuitry and are essentially non-load-dependent within the audible frequency range. You may be thinking of the original, stereo V3, or perhaps ZA3, neither of which have PFFB. My bad! Looked over the V3 mono review and didnt catch that both the V3 and the V3 Mono graph was...

www.audiosciencereview.com

And even then, to hear this noise you need to stick your head in the horn while in a quiet room.
I appreciate the reliability and customer service of Bryston, the fact that the company is local to you makes it even more compelling.

 

[RickS]

Folks. let's please watch the personal opinion posts and focus on constructively helping the OP with his pursuits.

Thanks!

 

[krabapple]

This is my favorite thread title of the new year (though it comes from last year). Refreshingly self-aware.

 

[mglobe]

This is my favorite thread title of the new year (though it comes from last year). Refreshingly self-aware.

Totally agree, and we should focus on a discussion of what the OP is after, which is equipment that will work for him. From what I understand, he's looking for electronics that look better than what he currently has. The equipment should be good, but does not have to surpass the performance of his current setup.

 

[krabapple]

Exactly. The guy just wants a gear glow-up, not an 'upgrade' for the sound.