Adcom GFA-5400 vs Bryston 3B

[HTfan14]

Any thoughts? I have wanted to try a Bryston in my system, just looking for some input. I have and enjoy the Adcom now.
This will be used to power the main channels in my 7.1 HT, Monitor Audio RS6's.

 

[ManishKasera]

Looking at your system Bryston will do wonders. The only thing I have heard about Bryston are good.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Bryston is a big step up in reliability and construction (separate power supply for instance) but the sound improvement may be quite subtle as Adcom ain't exactly chopped liver. However, with the detailed speakers you run it very well may be worth the cost.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Any thoughts? I have wanted to try a Bryston in my system, just looking for some input. I have and enjoy the Adcom now.
This will be used to power the main channels in my 7.1 HT, Monitor Audio RS6's.

I seriously doubt you will gain anything audible with that upgrade.

 

[fmw]

Looking at your system Bryston will do wonders. The only thing I have heard about Bryston are good.

What wonders would those be?

 

[3db]

I seriously doubt you will gain anything audible with that upgrade.

No but he gains a 20 year warranty with that. Oh yeah!!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I vote for Bryston all the way.

 

[mtrycrafts]

No but he gains a 20 year warranty with that. Oh yeah!!!

Does Bryston really needs a 20 year warranty? Are they that prone to failure? Certainly a good selling feature, 20 yr warranty

 

[MUDSHARK]

I get a good feeling when a company believes in their products that strongly. Mine is 12 years in and works like new.

 

[PENG]

My GFA 555 is 18 years old. It is still working and looking like new. My 4B SST is 3 years old so it has a long way to go. No audible difference to me but the Bryston has much better build quality. The GFA 5400 uses MOSFET but if designed to amplify the signal without coloring or distorting it, there should not be audible sonic difference. So better build quality is important to you, go with the 3B otherwise the 5400 is a better choice due to the lower cost.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My GFA 555 is 18 years old. It is still working and looking like new. My 4B SST is 3 years old so it has a long way to go. No audible difference to me but the Bryston has much better build quality. The GFA 5400 uses MOSFET but if designed to amplify the signal without coloring or distorting it, there should not be audible sonic difference. So better build quality is important to you, go with the 3B otherwise the 5400 is a better choice due to the lower cost.

You, we, might be old men before service is need on these well designed and great company products. Wish cars would be this good with such warranties

 

[WmAx]

If external cosmetics are not important, you could go with several Behringer EP2500 amplifiers that are likely built at least as good(internally) as the Bryston, but have even more power reserves, and less money invested.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

My GFA 555 is 18 years old. It is still working and looking like new. My 4B SST is 3 years old so it has a long way to go. No audible difference to me but the Bryston has much better build quality. The GFA 5400 uses MOSFET but if designed to amplify the signal without coloring or distorting it, there should not be audible sonic difference. So better build quality is important to you, go with the 3B otherwise the 5400 is a better choice due to the lower cost.

I also have one of the original Nelson Passed designed GFA-555 amplifiers. Still works fine, despite a few years of using to power 2 ohm nominal rated subwoofers at high power, while the GFA-555 is only rated at 4 ohms.

-Chris

 

[3db]

Does Bryston really needs a 20 year warranty? Are they that prone to failure? Certainly a good selling feature, 20 yr warranty

No they don't need that long a warranty. I've heard of very few returns on Bryston. I've read some post were some returns were made out of warranty period and Brystom still covered the repairs. Its good to see a company STAND behind their product. To me, its a definite selling point.

 

[HTfan14]

Great replys, thanks!
I have had the chance to try both at home now and as some of you have mentioned, there is NO discernable difference. If pressed I would say the Adcom might be a tad brighter(not in a bad way depending on taste)
I will have a better chance over the weekend to really compare as I just received the Byston yesterday. But from the early comparison the Bryston will go back up for sale. The Adcom is a very enjoyable amp, especially for $300 I paid for it.

 

[3db]

Great replys, thanks!
I have had the chance to try both at home now and as some of you have mentioned, there is NO discernable difference. If pressed I would say the Adcom might be a tad brighter(not in a bad way depending on taste)
I will have a better chance over the weekend to really compare as I just received the Byston yesterday. But from the early comparison the Bryston will go back up for sale. The Adcom is a very enjoyable amp, especially for $300 I paid for it.

How much did you pay for the Bryston?

 

[HTfan14]

^^$595, $ in Canadian.

 

[mtrycrafts]

^^$595, $ in Canadian.

For that price, the hassle of reselling, why not just use it for another channel or surround?

 

[HTfan14]

For that price, the hassle of reselling, why not just use it for another channel or surround?

Space, I just don't have the room in my AV rack.