Bryston 3B SST vs. Rotel RB-1080

[kitjv]

I just auditioned the Paradigm Studio 100 v.4 speakers with both the Rotel RB-1080 & the Bryston 3B SST power amps. The Bryston is more musical & less fatiguing than the Rotel in my opinion.

For those of you more familiar with the Bryston, I would really appreciate your opinions before I lay down 2.5X the price of the Rotel for the Bryston. Thank you.

 

[mike c]

you already think the Bryston is better, if we tell you to buy the Rotel, you'll forever doubt it. buy what you already want. go for the Bryston.

 

[PENG]

I bet if you do a DBT you will end up saving a thousand dollars and be happy with the Rotel. If you cannot do a DBT then I agree with Mike you may as well get the Bryston because right now it sounds (at least you think it does) more musical to you. The Bryston does have much lower published distortion figures. In my opinion, either amp will benefit greatly from better speakers such as the Paradigm's signature series or equivalent KEF, B&W etc. I have not listened to the V4 but I did listen to the Studio 100V3 when I found it difficult to tell the difference between a Yamaha receiver and a pair of Anthem separates. Others with me in the same demo room shared the same experience so I didn't think it was my hearing problem.

 

[B3Nut]

While I doubt anyone would be able to tell the Bryston from the Rotel in a level-matched double-blind test, the Bryston amplifiers are some of the best-built amplifiers made. There's a reason they offer a 20-year warranty on their amplifiers. Rotels are well-built units as well, but Brystons are bloody tanks. They're in the same class as McIntosh - superbly-crafted pieces that you will hand down to your descendants. If you can swing the cash, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a Bryston, and you will likely own it for the rest of your life.

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

 

[PENG]

If you end up choosing the 1080, the money you saved may allow you to upgrade to the S4, or may be even the S6?

 

[MUDSHARK]

I will only discuss the reliability of the Bryston. Mine is 11 years into the warranty and performs just like the first day. There's Bryston and not exactly.

Home Theatre types view amplifiers as all pretty much the same so I will not go there. Be prepared for the Bryston to run hotter than most amplifiers. Not a concern just a heads up. If you have speakers that like to dip into 4 ohms the Bryston would be an excellent choice.

 

[mazersteven]

How about meeting in the middle

Parasound A23

 

[MUDSHARK]

Shirley, you jest! Bryston owners would rather fight than switch.

Actually Parasound Halo amps are pretty darn good!

 

[wire]

I just auditioned the Paradigm Studio 100 v.4 speakers with both the Rotel RB-1080 & the Bryston 3B SST power amps. The Bryston is more musical & less fatiguing than the Rotel in my opinion.

For those of you more familiar with the Bryston, I would really appreciate your opinions before I lay down 2.5X the price of the Rotel for the Bryston. Thank you.

I have owned a Bryston 4b for over 20 years , there a great amp . They have a great soundstage and will take a beating , there built to last .
I had mine in shop , just before the warrenty expired , the tech bench it @ 258 rms and asked me if i wanted to sell it to him , I said no .

 

[Thaedium]

The Studio 100 .v4's were overhauled significantly from the .v3's

I've listened to both on the same setup and it was pretty clear that when Paradigm came out with the new line of Studio's they took more from the Signature line. They also took the price increase over with it too...

Have the .v4's here at home right now, just running off of my Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH. They sound great. Looking at picking up a Bryston 4BSST from a buddy of mine who bought it about a year ago and is considering letting it go. I asked him why he was getting rid of it and he wasn't sure. I think its the WAF personally, but he wont admit it.

 

[3db]

I just auditioned the Paradigm Studio 100 v.4 speakers with both the Rotel RB-1080 & the Bryston 3B SST power amps. The Bryston is more musical & less fatiguing than the Rotel in my opinion.

For those of you more familiar with the Bryston, I would really appreciate your opinions before I lay down 2.5X the price of the Rotel for the Bryston. Thank you.

No other company stands behind their equipment like Bryston. Rotels' waranty can't touch the 20 year warranty of a Bryston. If warranty matters, than go with Bryston even though its 2.5 times the cost of Rotel.

 

[rnatalli]

Both make fine products, but if I had the money to buy a Bryston I would. You'll never need to buy another amp.

 

[mazersteven]

How about

Anthem MCA 20

http://www.anthemav.com/newsitev2.0/AnthemProduct/MCASeries/MCASeriesHome.html

 

[Davemcc]

Buy THESE, then never need to buy another amp ever.

Or, there is an older 4B listed for $550.

 

[kitjv]

Thank you for your input. At 150Wpc, I'm curious if the Bryston 3B SST has the horsepower to run the Paradigms properly. According to the dealer, no problem. Anyone have experience with the Bryston & the Paradigms?

 

[mazersteven]

Thank you for your input. At 150Wpc, I'm curious if the Bryston 3B SST has the horsepower to run the Paradigms properly. According to the dealer, no problem. Anyone have experience with the Bryston & the Paradigms?

It's not about horsepower. It's about the ability of an amp to drive a speaker stable under "Any" load.

And Bryston amps are some of the very best.

 

[mazersteven]

Thank you for your input. At 150Wpc, I'm curious if the Bryston 3B SST has the horsepower to run the Paradigms properly. According to the dealer, no problem. Anyone have experience with the Bryston & the Paradigms?

And if you still want more power

Musical Fidelity 550K Supercharger

http://www.musicalfidelity.com/products/supercharger/index.html

 

[PENG]

Thank you for your input. At 150Wpc, I'm curious if the Bryston 3B SST has the horsepower to run the Paradigms properly. According to the dealer, no problem. Anyone have experience with the Bryston & the Paradigms?

Again, I have heard the version 3 powered by a little RX-V2400 receiver and a pair of Anthem separates. Even at very loud level there was no discernable difference other than perhaps some placebo effect. I know the version 4 is new and improved, but with sensitivity- 91/88 dB room/anechaic and 8 ohms compatible, the 3B SST should be able to do the job easily and will run cool as well. Of course the 4B could be even better if your room acoustic justifies the extra power. I am sure you know the Studio 100 V4 has a specified maximum input power rating of 210W, whatever that means.

 

[3db]

Again, I have heard the version 3 powered by a little RX-V2400 receiver and a pair of Anthem separates. Even at very loud level there was no discernable difference other than perhaps some placebo effect. I know the version 4 is new and improved, but with sensitivity- 91/88 dB room/anechaic and 8 ohms compatible, the 3B SST should be able to do the job easily and will run cool as well. Of course the 4B could be even better if your room acoustic justifies the extra power. I am sure you know the Studio 100 V4 has a specified maximum input power rating of 210W, whatever that means.

I means that teh speaker can handle short term transients of 210W without sustaining damage