Bryston Class D Amplifiers

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is this a Bryston design or a repackaged Axiom which I tested years ago:

Axiom Audio A1400-8 Digital Multi-Channel Amplifier Review

Axiom Audio has redefined performance expectations of Class D amplifiers with their A1400-8. Sporting 200 watts per channel all channels driver, this amp is a real space saver.

www.audioholics.com

Likely based on that original 2009 amp, but redesigned for improvements.

The new BD-325 has a max of 6Ch (vs 8 Ch) to allow more spacing and has a different circuit board, which is built in-house.

The Bryston BD-325 also has a 20 Year Parts & Labor Warranty.

 

[flyboylr45]

How long does it take to test an amplifier? I mean, I’m in Orlando and Gene is in Tampa…

 

[PENG]

No, it is a different amp. The Axiom had a switching power supply and had up to 8 channels.

From what I can see, the Axiom Gene tested has a linear supply, see that reasonably big power transformer?:

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

From what I can see, the Axiom Gene tested has a linear supply, see that reasonably big power transformer?:

View attachment 75419

Gene wrote:
“The Axiom A1400-8 is a Class D switching amplifier” so that’s why I thought it had a switching power supply.

So kudos to Axiom for using a giant power supply even back in 2009.

Since Bryston and Axiom are owned by the same two Canadians (James Tanner & Ian Colqhhoun), I think it’s safe to say that Bryston took the original Axiom A1400 design and improved on it a few times since 2009 to get even better measurements now in 2025 befitting the 20YR warranty and Bryston’s 63 year reputation.

Oh, and I actually spoke to James Tanner on the phone. He confirmed the 20 Year Warranty for the BD-325 & BD-225 amps.

 

[PENG]

Gene wrote:
“The Axiom A1400-8 is a Class D switching amplifier” so that’s why I thought it had a switching power supply.

So kudos to Axiom for using a giant power supply even back in 2009.

Since Bryston and Axiom are owned by the same two Canadians (James Tanner & Ian Colqhhoun), I think it’s safe to say that Bryston took the original Axiom A1400 design and improved on it a few times since 2009 to get even better measurements now in 2025 befitting the 20YR warranty and Bryston’s 63 year reputation.

Yeah class D amps are switching amps too lol..so it can be switching ps + ab amp modules, or linear ps + switching amps or switching ps + switching amps.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah class D amps are switching amps too lol..so it can be switching ps + ab amp modules, or linear ps + switching amps or switching ps + switching amps.

So types of amps:

1. Linear Amp + Switching Power supply (Benchmark, QSC Amp)
2. Linear Amp + Linear Power supply (ATI and Bryston Class A/B amp)
3. Switching Amp + Switching Power supply (Buckeye Class D amp)
4. Switching Amp + Linear Power Supply (ATI and Bryston Class D amp)

 

[Verdinut]

So types of amps:

1. Linear Amp + Switching Power supply (Benchmark Class H Amp)
2. Linear Amp + Linear Power supply (ATI and Bryston Class A/B amp)
3. Switching Amp + Switching Power supply (Buckeye Class D amp)
4. Switching Amp + Linear Power Supply (ATI and Bryston Class D amp)

And there are linear amps + switching power supply (QSC DCA Series - Both Class A/B and Class H since 1998):

https://www.qscaudio.com/resource-files/productresources/amp/dca/q_amp_dca_2ch_specs.pdf

 

[Tankini]

Not sure I buy this analogy. Instead, think of the entire system as the car, and the amps as the engines, so the better analogy would be a couple of Mercedes but one with an LS engine wap. That seems to do more justice to the Buckey amps. They're good at what they do. Really, really good.

My comment isn't to be taken seriously. Lol. Really! Both, Buckeye/Bryston class d amps are very well built.

I myself have no need for any class added amp. My A1080 only drives 5.1 set fits my need. After reading Gene's comment, I clicked that link he provided, as usual Gene seems to be right. That Bryston class d amp seems to be a clone>(rebadge).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

We know that ATI have built amps for many companies- Monoprice, Outlaw, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Cary Audio, Earthquake. ATI also owns Theta Digital, B&K, DataSat.

So the question is, are all these “CLONES”?

According to ATI (been around for 32 years), each amp for each company is different because they are built to the company’s specifications using different parts and price points, even though they are all based on the same design. IOW, they didn’t just take the EXACT internal components and switch to a different chassis. Also, ATI has a 7YR warranty while all the other brands ATI makes amps for have a 5YR warranty.

Bryston (been around for 63 years) and Axiom are owned by the same 2 guys. And Bryston has made amps for other companies also - like Lexicon. But are they clones or are they just made to different specifications?

I feel an article coming from Audioholics.

 

[flyboylr45]

We know that ATI have built amps for many companies- Monoprice, Outlaw, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Cary Audio, Earthquake. ATI also owns Theta Digital, B&K, DataSat.

So the question is, are all these “CLONES”?

According to ATI (been around for 32 years), each amp for each company is different because they are built to the company’s specifications using different parts and price points, even though they are all based on the same design. IOW, they didn’t just take the EXACT internal components and switch to a different chassis. Also, ATI has a 7YR warranty while all the other brands ATI makes amps for have a 5YR warranty.

Bryston (been around for 63 years) and Axiom are owned by the same 2 guys. And Bryston has made amps for other companies also - like Lexicon. But are they clones or are they just made to different specifications?

I feel an article coming from Audioholics.

Maybe even with a review…

 

[trochetier]

We know that ATI have built amps for many companies- Monoprice, Outlaw, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Cary Audio, Earthquake. ATI also owns Theta Digital, B&K, DataSat.

So the question is, are all these “CLONES”?

According to ATI (been around for 32 years), each amp for each company is different because they are built to the company’s specifications using different parts and price points, even though they are all based on the same design. IOW, they didn’t just take the EXACT internal components and switch to a different chassis. Also, ATI has a 7YR warranty while all the other brands ATI makes amps for have a 5YR warranty.

Bryston (been around for 63 years) and Axiom are owned by the same 2 guys. And Bryston has made amps for other companies also - like Lexicon. But are they clones or are they just made to different specifications?

I feel an article coming from Audioholics.

Lexicon 225 is simply re-badged Bryston 4BST. Lexicon sold them with 10 year(I think) warranty not for a bit less money. I think there is plate on the back panel of my 225 that says so.. It has been a while I have moved the amp.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Lexicon 225 is simply re-badged Bryston 4BST. Lexicon sold them with 10 year(I think) warranty not for a bit less money. I think there is plate on the back panel of my 225 that says so.. It has been a while I have moved the amp.

You can actually download the Lexicon NT225 manual online. It doesn’t even mention anything about warranty in the manual. Strange to omit something that important.

Lexicon 225 Manual

But the Lexicon website listed a 5YR warranty, which is kind of standard for Lexicon, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Krell, etc.

https://www.lexicon.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-LEX-US-NCOM-Library/default/dwc7c350ff/content/pdf/Lexicon_ROW_Warranty_2019.pdf

 

[Verdinut]

Lexicon 225 is simply re-badged Bryston 4BST. Lexicon sold them with 10 year(I think) warranty not for a bit less money. I think there is plate on the back panel of my 225 that says so.. It has been a while I have moved the amp.

Lexicon is a weird company. I remember that they used to re-badge the Oppo BDP-95 at four times Oppo's asking price. What a rip-off!

 

[TankTop5]

Lexicon is a weird company. I remember that they used to re-badge the Oppo BDP-95 at four times Oppo's asking price. What a rip-off!

Maybe licensing was expensive… lol

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Kind of sad, but I just got the email from Bryston about their new Jan 1 2026 warranty policy.

Starting Jan 1, 2026, any Bryston amp ordered on Jan 1 2026 or after will have warranty of 10YR, not 20YR.

All amps ordered BEFORE Jan 1, 2026 will still be covered under their legendary 20YR warranty.

So after Dec 31 2025, the 10YR warranty isn’t much better than the 7YR ATI warranty.

There goes the legend.

 

[Movie2099]

Kind of sad, but I just got the email from Bryston about their new Jan 1 2026 warranty policy.

Starting Jan 1, 2026, any Bryston amp ordered on Jan 1 2026 or after will have warranty of 10YR, not 20YR.

So after Dec 31 2025, the 10YR warranty isn’t much better than the 7YR ATI warranty.

There goes the legend.

Well, there goes Bryston off my list......

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, there goes Bryston off my list......

Yeah don’t blame ya. Kind of a shocker after so many years.

10YR is still better than all other companies, but 20YR warranty was just legendary and a huge reason why many (not all) audiophiles wanted Bryston.

Kind of pissed me off about this news.

 

[Verdinut]

Yeah don’t blame ya. Kind of a shocker after so many years.

10YR is still better than all other companies, but 20YR warranty was just legendary and a huge reason why many (not all) audiophiles wanted Bryston.

Kind of pissed me off about this news.

If they don't reduce the price of their amps, the a amount of sales will definitely go down. That's all they deserve.

Many amps including some new Class D amps that cost a lot less and perform just as well will replace them.

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

It could be worse. When I bought my Classe' amps back in 1998, they came with a lifetime warranty. Then I received a notification from the manufacturer that the lifetime warranty had been reduced to only 5 years. Gee, thanks! /sarc

 

[Verdinut]

It could be worse. When I bought my Classe' amps back in 1998, they came with a lifetime warranty. Then I received a notification from the manufacturer that the lifetime warranty had been reduced to only 5 years. Gee, thanks! /sarc

I know the company was sold. Can the new owner legally do that? I would like to see someone sue them should one of their amps become defective.