Should I replace my Bryston B60r amp with a TPA3255 based amp?

[Kevinfc]

There are many amps I might agree could be replaced after 20 years. A Bryston is not among them, especially not with a 3255-based amp.

And as a former owner of B&W CDMSEs, who liked them very much at the time, I would heartily agree that replacing your speakers is a better bet than replacing your amp.

Have any recommendations?

 

[restorer-john]

There are many amps I might agree could be replaced after 20 years. A Bryston is not among them, especially not with a 3255-based amp.

Best quote in the thread.

Keep the Bryston.

 

[Andykay]

I have a 20 year old Bryston B60r paired with B&W CDMse speakers for my bedroom setup. I’m thinking about changing the Bryston to some version of a TPA3255 chip amp. I’ve acquired various parts for a DIY build, but I’m still trying to figure out exactly how I want to configure it, or, if I want to do it at all. The Topping PA5 interests me as well, but I’m not sure if that ( or in fact, any) of these changes would be anything other than a lateral move. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Bryston make an Excellent product , always. If you want Class D, you should look at Bruno Putzeys, latest Class D developments by Purifi in the Eigentakt design.

VTV in America , Apollon and Nord offers builds of this great value , ultra low noise design. The Bryston you have does not have huge current capability but is extremely neutral design. The warranty they offer is pretty unprecedented at 20 years.

You can also look at March Audio or newer Orchard or Peachtree featuring GaN tech. I prefer the Purifi designs , but all are way above average for Class D innovation. NAD uses Purify Eigentakt tech in the New C298 M33 and M22 and are very highly rated regardless of price.

 

[Koeitje]

Keep the Bryston and get rid of the B&W's.

 

[watchnerd]

Can't decide if this thread is real or a trolling attempt.

 

[restorer-john]

Can't decide if this thread is real or a trolling attempt.

It's Bryston's new guerilla marketing guru.

 

[Kevinfc]

Can't decide if this thread is real or a trolling attempt.

Trolling by who, me? I bought in 1998 after a number successful football wagers. If the idea of replacing it with a chip amp is so preposterous, I guess I have my answer. I’ve offered it to Amir for testing in fact, I was curious how it would measure, but
I never heard back from him.

 

[watchnerd]

Trolling by whom? Me? I bought in 1998 after a number successful football wagers. If the idea of replacing it with a chip amp is so preposterous, I guess I have my answer.

how much do you want for it?

 

[tmtomh]

Have any recommendations?

I think there are a wealth of good speakers that have been reviewed here, and it depends on your budget and needs (how much bass, stand-mounts or floor standers, etc). Would you be looking for speakers of similar size and original price range as your existing ones? It’s been a long time but I think the CDMse’s retailed for something like $1200/pair? In today’s dollars I think that would be about $2k. The first passive speaker that comes to mind in that price range would be the KEF R3, but others here will have additional and maybe better recommendations.

 

[anmpr1]

While I have no idea why a 60 wpc amp would have cost you $1795 (or 300 less without the super basic remote) in 1998 when I'm sure the big mass-marked brands would have sold you one for 500 tops, measurements indicate rock-solid performance. ().

FYI: below is a rundown from the October '98 Audio equipment annual. In the context of 'high-end' Bryston could be viewed as a value proposition. For watts/dollar and at the low end, Yamaha was the go to brand.

Burmeister 959 $6775.00 75 watts/ch (4ohms--8 not listed)

Cello Integrated $3500.00 50/100 watts 4-8 (I didn't know Cello made an integrated)

Electro ECI-1 $3495.00 100/180

Linn Majik $1345.00 33/66

Lux 507 $3600.00 100 watts 8 ohms (no 4 ohm rating)

Marantz PM-17 $1200.00 60/100

McIntosh MA-6850 $3500.00 150/150 (autoformer output)

ReVox E-450 $4900.00 120/200

Yamaha AX-592 $500.00 100 (no 4 ohm rating).

 

[Kevinfc]

FYI: below is a rundown from the October '98 Audio equipment annual. In the context of 'high-end' Bryston could be viewed as a value proposition. For watts/dollar and at the low end, Yamaha was the go to brand.

Burmeister 959 $6775.00 75 watts/ch (4ohms--8 not listed)

Cello Integrated $3500.00 50/100 watts 4-8 (I didn't know Cello made an integrated)

Electro ECI-1 $3495.00 100/180

Linn Majik $1345.00 33/66

Lux 507 $3600.00 100 watts 8 ohms (no 4 ohm rating)

Marantz PM-17 $1200.00 60/100

McIntosh MA-6850 $3500.00 150/150 (autoformer output)

ReVox E-450 $4900.00 120/200

Yamaha AX-592 $500.00 100 (no 4 ohm rating).

Seems about right, I believe Stereophile rated it as class B for several years. When I posted, my thinking was that since this is primarily an objectivist forum, the advances made, primarily in chip amps, could have surpassed the Bryston to such a degree that it could be replaced by a much cheaper piece with better specs. From my understanding, this is true of the Hypex and Purifi products, the TPA3255 was probably a stretch.

Some have suggested that this post may be a troll, perhaps because the question is so obvious at its face, it isn’t to me. It’s a post by a former subjectivist audiophile who has changed his mind. Admittedly, I am without the technical aptitude or background of many (probably most) who contribute here, but I’m a determined learner.

 

[Kevinfc]

how much do you want for it?

Probably not worth selling for what I could get for it.

 

[restorer-john]

Probably not worth selling for what I could get for it.

It's a lovely amplifier, beautifully built with classic design and high quality components. It's served you well and I understand you my like to try something new just for fun. Keep the Bryston and buy one of these little TPA things, have a play with it, compare and live with it for six months.

Then decide if you've upgraded or downgraded.

The Bryston will always fetch a good price. The TPA thing will probably not lose much in six months either. As they are cheap enough, scratch the itch for something new without the risk of selling something you may regret.

 

[Kevinfc]

It's a lovely amplifier, beautifully built with classic design and high quality components. It's served you well and I understand you my like to try something new just for fun. Keep the Bryston and buy one of these little TPA things, have a play with it, compare and live with it for six months.

Then decide if you've upgraded or downgraded.

The Bryston will always fetch a good price. The TPA thing will probably not lose much in six months either. As they are cheap enough, scratch the itch for something new without the risk of selling something you may regret.

Thanks, I’m thinking I might try a Hypex nc252 amp rather than the TPA, but I certainly appreciate your thoughts.

 

[restorer-john]

I’m thinking I might try a Hypex nc252 amp

You can of course drive the Hypex nc252 power amp with the Bryston as a preamplifier.

That way, you will retain all the functionality of the Bryston (remote volume, multiple inputs, etc) and be able to try modern Class D power amplification vs the traditional design, whilst keeping the front end consistent and familiar.

 

[Kevinfc]

You can of course drive the Hypex nc252 power amp with the Bryston as a preamplifier.

That way, you will retain all the functionality of the Bryston (remote volume, multiple inputs, etc) and be able to try modern Class D power amplification vs the traditional design, whilst keeping the front end consistent and familiar.

Appreciate your help, sounds like a plan