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  #1  
Old 08-10-2021, 05:25 PM
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Smile Bryston Amp Recommendations?

We've been in the process of building up our first ever 5.1 setup for nearly two years now. As Mac folks, we already own four channels of Mac amplification and all of the speakers we need. We don't own an active sub, yet, but that's another topic for another thread.

At this point, I'm looking for that 5th channel of amplification and, as I've been researching the possibilities, I'm beginning to think that a nice used Bryston amp might fit the bill. As with our Mac MC300, I'm thinking that investing in an amp that can be bridged for single channel use might be best.

We have a B&W HTM3S that we will be using as our center channel speaker (50 - 250W), so an amp that can be bridged for more than 250W would be ideal.

If anyone has any thoughts on a used Bryston power amp(s) that fits this description, I'd appreciate your recommendation(s). By the way, we're hoping to keep the budget for the center amp at under 2,500 USD.

Thank you for your time
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Old 08-11-2021, 09:21 AM
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2B-ST if you wish to go with a small profile. 3B-ST or 4B-ST would also meet your needs. Great amps.
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Old 08-11-2021, 09:54 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 70sMac View Post
... I'm thinking that investing in an amp that can be bridged for single channel use might be best ...
Bridging an amplifier is rarely the "best" approach, imo.
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Old 08-11-2021, 04:00 PM
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Smile Nice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
2B-ST if you wish to go with a small profile. 3B-ST or 4B-ST would also meet your needs. Great amps.
Thanks for the kind recommendations, Glenn.
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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Old 08-11-2021, 04:09 PM
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Smile Our Experience With Bridging a Stereo Amp

Quote:
Originally Posted by cleeds View Post
Bridging an amplifier is rarely the "best" approach, imo.
The engineer in me tends to be pretty wordy, so I make an effort to economize. What I should have said is, "...might be best for our budget." If we ever decided to expand beyond 5.1, we would be in a better position with a "bridgeable" stereo power amp...and, come to think of it, we've bridged our MC300 in the past with great results. We're back to using it as a stereo amp now, and it still works great. In fact, I wish I could afford another one like it.
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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Old 08-11-2021, 05:15 PM
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Default 3BSST Balanced Inputs

I was just taking a zoomed-in look at the rear panel on a Bryston 3BSST power amp. The balanced inputs don't look like the XLR receptacles I'm used to seeing for that purpose...so I'm wondering it they're set up for TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) plugs?
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OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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  #7  
Old 08-12-2021, 09:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 70sMac View Post
I was just taking a zoomed-in look at the rear panel on a Bryston 3BSST power amp. The balanced inputs don't look like the XLR receptacles I'm used to seeing for that purpose...so I'm wondering it they're set up for TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) plugs?
No, if it's a 3BSST it should have conventional XLR connectors.
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Primary sources: VPI TNT III/SDS turntable, SME-V arm; Bryston BDP-3 digital player; Bryston BDA-3 DAC; McIntosh MVP-881 disc player; McIntosh MR-80 tuner. Preamplifier Audio Research Ref 5SE; Audio Research Ref Phono 2SE; Moon 430 HA. Amplifiers Conrad Johnson Premier 1B; Audio Research D-300; Bryston 4B. Speakers Infinity IRS Beta. Recorders Tandberg TD20A; Crown SX-822; Nakamichi 670ZX; Alesis Masterlink ML-9600. Power Tice Power Block/Titan (x2); McIntosh MPC1500; API Ultra II-20; multiple 20A derated dedicated lines.
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Old 08-12-2021, 12:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cleeds View Post
No, if it's a 3BSST it should have conventional XLR connectors.
Right, they do look different from other XLRs but connect perfectly!
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Old 08-12-2021, 07:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 70sMac View Post
I was just taking a zoomed-in look at the rear panel on a Bryston 3BSST power amp. The balanced inputs don't look like the XLR receptacles I'm used to seeing for that purpose...so I'm wondering it they're set up for TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) plugs?
Both my 3B-ST & 4B-ST looked 'different', if you will. But WW XLR ICs plugged right in with no drama.
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  #10  
Old 08-14-2021, 02:53 AM
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Smile Bryston Balanced Inputs

Quote:
Originally Posted by hdvidguy View Post
Right, they do look different from other XLRs but connect perfectly!
Yeah, they're definitely different than the XLR balanced inputs on our Mac stuff, but it's great to know that our interconnects will work.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Both my 3B-ST & 4B-ST looked 'different', if you will. But WW XLR ICs plugged right in with no drama.
Once again, great to know this. Thanks, Glenn.
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Bill in the Hills

OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections
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