B&W 802D with Bryston 7BSST mono blocks

[ED K]

After trying bi-ampiming my 802Ds with a mac 402 and the Bryston 4BSST and getting great results, I was wondering if anyone out there is using the Bryston 7BSST mono blocks with the 802 speakers. The results with the mc 402 driving the mid-high and the Bryston 300amp 4BSST driving the bass drivers was outsanding. Not that I have money to burn (I have only a few years left to enjoy my passion).I was wondering if anyone has used the Bryston mono blocks and what thier thoughts were?
Comments would be great. Thanks

[RebelMan]

I haven't experienced the 7B SST's but I have heard the 4B SST's and the 6B SST's with the 803S's and the 802D's. By far the most musical sounding combination I have heard to date. Adjectives you will see people use to desribe them are neutral and transparent and for good reason, because they are.

Bryston is sooooooo good in fact, that they will have diminutive looking two-way speakers sounding rich and full of body typically what one would only expect to achieve with high-end three-ways. I could ramble on with a short dissertation of my opinons or I can sum it up for you in one word... AWESOME! :T

[ED K]

Thanks for your thoughts. Want to get EVERYTHING I can get out of the 802Ds.

[Aussie Geoff]

Ed-K,

You may also want to consider the 800D then - they reallly are another step up again from the 802 in clarity and capability... With the kind of money you will be spending on Amplifiers it may make senses to consider...

Geoff

[Adz]

I now have the 6BSST across the fronts (300Wx3, but tested at 351 watts per channel) and it smoked my Rotel 1080/1095 combo which I found to be very metallic sounding and grating. It wasn't even a subtle difference. However, I am pretty excited about demo'ing the Nuforces very soon and comparing them to the Bryston. If you live in the NY Metro area, feel free to stop by for my demo.

[springer49]

I will be interested in your Nuforce review. I have been reading a lot about it lately. I am deciding on Bryston for the front three channels or staying with my Earthquake 3channel.
How would you rate the earthquake?

[caleb]

I have 802's for my fronts using 7B SST monoblocks.

A bit of history first - I initially used a TAG 100x5 as my main amp but soon realised that this was way too low in power.

Nest I moved to a TAG 250x3 and a big improvement noticed.

My last move was to use the TAG 250x3 for the centre & rears and use the Brystons for the fronts and this was a HUGE improvement in every aspect of the 802's performance.

A friend of mine has used TWO x 7B SST as a bi-amp setup on a pair of 800s and this was just fanstastic, although of course not twice as good.

You will not be dissapointed if you use this combination - and of course the 20 year guarantee is just another bonus.

[Adz]

I will be interested in your Nuforce review. I have been reading a lot about it lately. I am deciding on Bryston for the front three channels or staying with my Earthquake 3channel.
How would you rate the earthquake?

The combo of the Bryston for the front 3 and my Earthquake for the 4 surrounds has turned out to be a great combination for me (all channels rated at 300W). I haven't tried my Earthquake 5 channel on the fronts. While I suspect it would sound excellent as well - lots of power, I also think the Bryston would be a notch better. Solid state to solid state, you would expect that, as its almost double the cost on a watt per dollar basis.

[SRT-10 Viper]

How does Bryston 7B SST stack up against Krell MCX Monos or Classe CAMS for 800D/802s?

[Aussie Geoff]

SRT-10-Viper,

This is a very personal subject - with each amplifier having a different sound..

They are all very good amplifiers - Personally I'd take the Classe for its incredible redition of detail, followed by the Krell for the dynamics and sheer fun of it, though the Bryston has lots of strengths and admirers

At this level you really need to listen and compare if you possibly can - it is down to personal preference...

Geoff

[Kens1]

I found the Classe preferable to the Bryston as well when I auditioned them. Personal preference as always.

[gerardhn]

Here in europe the vincents monoblocks 998 get extremely well good reviews. (better or as good as 4b sst). For less money. Engineered in Germany build in china.
So price is low. Quality suberp.

[james_dmi]

Here in europe the vincents monoblocks 998 get extremely well good reviews. (better or as good as 4b sst). For less money. Engineered in Germany build in china.
So price is low. Quality suberp.

Do you know of any reviews online? The 4B SST is on my shortlist and I need to find some credible competition in the same price range.

Thanks,

James.

[gerardhn]

James,

Can you read german???
General opinion, but not only for these amps, vincents cant be beaten in their price.

link

http://www.vincent-tac.de/en/design/dl2.php

for 998 and 93

[hillen]

802D and Bryston 4 B-SST

I do actually use the Bryston 4 B-SST ( 300W @ 8 Ohm, 500 @ 4 Ohm ) with great succes with the 802D's. The sound is extremely effordless, controlled and musical. I can easily raise the volume level to roof shaking levels withoud any hint of strain or effort.

Bram Hillen

[Dan Schulze]

After trying bi-ampiming my 802Ds with a mac 402 and the Bryston 4BSST and getting great results, I was wondering if anyone out there is using the Bryston 7BSST mono blocks with the 802 speakers. The results with the mc 402 driving the mid-high and the Bryston 300amp 4BSST driving the bass drivers was outsanding. Not that I have money to burn (I have only a few years left to enjoy my passion).I was wondering if anyone has used the Bryston mono blocks and what thier thoughts were?
Comments would be great. Thanks

Ed,

I used N802's with Bryston 7B SST's for a while (no bi-amping or bi-wiring). I thought the sound was great. I was then asked by a fellow forum member to try bi-amping the N802's with my 4B SST and my 6B SST (he was considering 4B SST's). First I tried the 4B SST's in place of my 7B SST's - to be honest I really did not notice any difference to speak of, which told me I was not using the full potential of my 7B SST's, but that's OK. I then tried bi-amping the N802's with my 4B SST and 2 channels of my 6B SST. I was shocked at the difference!! The N802's came alive! Music sounded awesome!! I could have listened to the 'new' sound all evening.

With those results, I now bi-amp my N802's using the 7B SST's for the lower frequencies and the 4B SST for the higher frequencies. I am very pleased with the sound. Bi-amping with a 4B SST for the lower frequencies instead of the 7B SST's provided the same sound (to my ears anyway).

Bottom line, I will continue to bi-amp my N802's.

Dan

[ED K]

Thanks Dan
I ordered a pai of Bryston 7SSST "c"? series. Looking forward to see the difference. Not sure how i will hook them up to the B&W 802Ds. Will try using the Brystons biwired, Brystons biamped to the bass drives and use my Mcintosh 402 to the hi/mid drives. With the experienced I've had s far with the 4BSST to the bass I'm sure they will continue to go to atleast to the ass drives. The real question will be if using the 7BSST mono blocks will sound the best with the biwired. If so I can sell the mcintosh and use the money to by the Escient CD/DVD server.
Will let you kow the outcome. I'm using Audioquest Pikes Peak biwire speaker capbels and AudioQuet Dimandback interconnects.
Thaqnks Ed

[Dan Schulze]

Good luck Ed!! Looking forward to hearing about your results.

Dan

[cardiomaniac]

not comparing new series b&w to old but I have a pair of nautilus 801's and went from 2 4bsst in biamp configuration to 4 7bsst(240V) and each amp has it's own circuit. Huge improvement in every way. Still working on acoustic treatment though as 801's have wide dispersion and incredible dynamics...

[bigburner]

(I have only a few years left to enjoy my passion).

May I ask why Ed?

[ED K]

Not sure I understand your question? "may I ask why Ed?" All the work I have been doing is because I enjoy listening to music and I enjoy playing around with the hardware. I'm retired and it brings me a great deal of enjoyment. The Mcintosh 402 is a great amp but comaring it to the Bryston amps there is just something missing (to my ears).
Hope this helps

[bigburner]

Ed, I was just wondering why you have only a few years left to enjoy your passion. You sound so certain. I was wondering, for example, if you're losing your hearing. My mother is, and she's struggling with the loss of music in her life.

[radim]

Here in europe the vincents monoblocks 998 get extremely well good reviews. (better or as good as 4b sst). For less money. Engineered in Germany build in china.
So price is low. Quality suberp.

Which preamp and cd are fit to 998 monoblocks ?

thanks, radim

[ED K]

Bigbuner
Thanks for asking.Terminal issue. So I'm just enjoying the music until then.

[ED K]

Got the Bryston 7SST C mono blocks for the B&W 802Ds today. I could not believe the sound that was hidden inside the 802Ds! All they needed were amps that could bring out the best the 802Ds had to offer. I had tried the Mcintosh 402, B&K, Rotel and a few other amps before getting to the 7BSST C. What a difference!!!!!!!!!! The highs were there, where they should be, the mids were perfect and the bass,, unbelievable!!!!!!!! all of a sudden I had the artists sitting in front of me. From instrumental to vocals, all were GREAT!
I am now a true believer that amps can and do make a bold differeance. I am one happy man!!!!!!!

[Jeff]

Ed, very happy to hear the news! I enjoyed reading this thred. That is until your second to the last post.
I am so sorry to hear that.

On the brighter side. Have you tried the bi amping yet? Likely not. Your still riding high with your new sound.

Frankly, I wouldn't try bi amping yet, it's so cool having new equipment and truely knowing you made the right choice.

Enjoy :T

Jeff

[ED K]

Thanks Jeff
Have shot the budget and all the all the deales good will. I'm VERY happy with the the music. I couldn't believe the differance the amps made. I didn't think 802Ds had the bass in them. Have turned off the sub- just don't need it anymore. The bass is quick and solid when it should be and rolls off when thats the way it's supposed to be. The highs are right up there where they should be and the mids just blend sooooo well with ALL the music I play. I even called the dealer to tell them to use me as a reference and opened my home to anyone considering the 802D/Bryston combo.
Bye the way, do you know anyone who would like to buy a 6 month old Mcintosh MC402? It's a great amp bot it just doesn't do it for me with the 802Ds.

[Dan Schulze]

Congrats Ed!!!

Glad you are enjoying your system!! :T

Dan

[radim]

I didn't find in this thread which preamp (stereo) is suitable for Bryston 7SST/B&W 802d combo.
What preamp are you using ?

[RebelMan]

Nice to hear that you have reached musical nirvana Ed! :T Now if I could...

[Jeff]

Ed, I'd be interested in the Mac. But then again, anyone who desires very high quality audio would be.

I've haven't decided how far I should blow the budget. I could put off getting a new roof for another 18 months. Actually, I could do both.

If you'd like to send me a pm on the price, I'd like to know.

Thanks, Jeff

[JKalman]

Would anyone recommend a pair of 7B SSTs over the 14B SST, and if so, or if not, why? I'm asking because I'm considering one or the other at the moment to match up with my other amp which is a 9B SST for my HT.

[RebelMan]

JKalman, are you currently driving your 802S's with the 9B-SST? I have been considering this amp and the new SP 2.0 to power my B&W setup and I am curious about some "real world" feedback. I would be delighted to hear your comments.

See... http://htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=16435

EDIT: Opps! I just noticed that you already did comment. Duh, thanks!

[Race Car Driver]

Its good to hear that the 802s responeded to power!
Ive been following this thread off and on, and just now saw that you purchased the amps and had them hooked up!

So do you currently have one mono on each 802D? How is it wired?
Its good to hear your happy with your choice!

[JKalman]

I'm personally considering the 7B SST vs the 14B SST. Curious if anyone compared whether one was better than the other.

[JKalman]

Its good to hear that the 802s responeded to power!
Ive been following this thread off and on, and just now saw that you purchased the amps and had them hooked up!

So do you currently have one mono on each 802D? How is it wired?
Its good to hear your happy with your choice!

Nice car BTW, what kind of setup you got on it? Where do you race? I have a Mercedes E55 and a Lotus Elise w/ stage 2 exhaust and cold air induction.

I did Skip Barber 3 day race school and will be doing the advanced school next year.

[ED K]

I have the Brystons biwired using Audioguest Pikes Peak cables to each of the 802Ds. I've tried a number of different cables (have a great dealer) and liked these the best.

[caleb]

Very pleased you like the combination Ed K - just wait for a couple of weeks and the sound will improve even more.

BTW I prefer the 7B to the 14B because you can get them close to your speakers and then use a very short speaker lead (mine is less than 1 metre).

[JKalman]

Good point Caleb. My only consideration is having enough outlets. I would have to wire more outlets near my system so the Amps would have dedicated power (I need to do this anyway to give some of my components dedicated circuits, I was just hoping to avoid it for awhile longer).

[ED K]

power

I had considered the power issue as well. I think I went a bit too far but, I have (3) direct dedicated 20 amp lines going to my HT system. All the amps have nothing else on them. The digital and analogue devices are all surge protected and power conditioned. A bit of over kill but hey,,,,what the heck.
I have a BIG investment sitting there!

[jordi]

Pre-Amp for Bryston 7B SST/B&W 802D combo

Can anyone answer what Pre-Amp is being used with the 7B SST\B&W 802D combo? Is it a rule of thumb to always use the Bryston Pre-Amp with Bryston Amps or are there guidelines to matching Pre-Amps to Amps besides obvious ones?

[ED K]

I'm using the Mcintosh MX135 processor with the Bryston 7BSST. DON'T KNOW IF THE Bryston amps WOULD SOUND better with a Bryston pre but, I am VERY PLEASED with the combo I have.

[Dan Schulze]

For my N802's & HTM1 - Bryston Amps/Anthem AVM 20 Processor. I'm pleased with the set-up.

Dan

[caleb]

I use the TAG AV32DP for my front end and the Room equalisation makes a big difference.

[ED K]

For my N802's & HTM1 - Bryston Amps/Anthem AVM 20 Processor. I'm pleased with the set-up.

Dan

Dan , thanks for the pictures of your sysem. It is one heck of a setup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!