Just picked up two Bryston 2B amps that a local guy was selling.
Still had the original boxes,manual and brochure - from 1979! The amps are in perfect condition, no scratches or dents. The only problem I can find with one is the green LED is very dim. Oh well.
Running them bridged driving my Sttafs. Much more musical and neutral sounding than the Rotel.
True Nuck... right now my work allows me enough disposible income to pursue my obsession. May not always be the case, but you take it as it comes, right?
Great pick up on those amps. When funds recover, you may want to contact Bryston and have them service/update it. I've heard they'll give it a complete look over and bring it back up to original specs, if not better. I don't think its expensive to do either.
Great purchase there, David. I've got a B60, so I'll probably get a second-hand 2B sometime to compliment it. Thanks for posting your good results; it encourages me to definitely get it done.
Bravo David, wicked pick up. FWIW I also contacted Brian from Bryston a while back. Great guy. He said anytime they will give the amp a one two over-hall of any 'Legacy' amp for a roughly 75-100 dollars. Also, you guys may think I am crazy, but to my ears, the sonic differences between the Legacy to the SST series is very minimum.
Brian from Bryston also said, if you Legacy amp is working perfectly fine, then there is no need to waste your money on bringing it in. That came from his own mouth not mine.lol.
Keep in mind that the 2Bs are almost 30 years old. It shows you how seriously Bryston takes their reliability claims and build quality, but they're 30 years old. I'm sure something in it has to be coming close to the end of its run. Maybe not though, it is a Bryston after all.
If you're close to Peterborough, you can save on shipping by dropping it off.
Overhaul, recap, clean, etc. Measure all output devices for compliance and matching. They will drop in a power supply for the SST uprade as well, I believe for a surprisingly good price. Those guys love their gear like Mac does.
"They will drop in a power supply for the SST uprade as well"
Not always. There are a few pieces that can't be converted - B60s being one. The B60 is based on the 2B, so I'm not sure if it can be upgraded to an SST or not. Also keep in mind that the 2B SST is a different amp than the 2B LP. The SST is 100 wpc, the LP is 60. I highly doubt they'll turn it into a 2B SST.
But as Nuck said, clean, recap, measure, replace what needs to be, etc.
I read somewhere that a guy sent an older amp in to be checked over and they updated it to the current model, including detachable power cord. I beleive he said it cost him about $100 or so, including shipping. That was about 7 years ago.
Thanks, Stu. I may have had the case sizes wrong. The guy I was dealing with had the SST's and he had them redone. I think Bryston plunked in some new gelcaps. Nice. Do it, Dave.
I'm pretty sure most other Bryston amps can be upgraded. I'm doubtful on the 2B though.
Here's how I came to my conclusion - The original B60s weren't SSTs. New newer ones are. Original B60s can't be converted, as confirmed by their servive center and James Tanner (VP of Marketing) on Audio Circle.
Luckily, I got the 60th B60 SST made.
David and other Bryston owners -
If you haven't done so already, check out the Bryston Circle on Audio Circle. James Tanner is a regular there, as well as some appearences by engineers.
P.S. - You may want to ask this question in the Bryson circle David, or call Bryston's Canada servive center.
Bummer Dave. I'd live with the burnt LED, as well. Let the next owner worry about it. So that quote would just be for the LED or would they do a full tune up to spec.
The quote was for a full tune-up, plus LED replacement.
I sure would be curious to hear the difference the Bryston guys could make with the old amps, but I'm really not willing to invest that sorta coin in 20 year gear.
Technically, if you wanted Dave. You could sell the pair of them for what you paid, if not more, and get that used Pre Amp for around the same money. I see BP20's all the time for around the 600 mark. BOING!!
Hey Dave. I know your 120's are newer and more powerful but what would you say is the difference you hear between them and the 2B's? Is it just volume? Are the 120's clearer and tighter? Is there a difference in the soundstage and imaging? Have you done an A/B compare?
Oh, is there anyway Bryston will negotiate on the fix. Are there other shops that have expertise with Bryston equipment and do it cheaper?
