A Permanent Stereo Amp

The Bryston 3B ST replaced a pair of NAD 2100 amps which powered my Snell Type Ds. My sources include a Rotel RCD 990 cd player, a Linn Axis turntable, a Rotel tuner and Rotel preamp. Interconnects and speaker wire are all mid-grade Kimber Kable.

Sonically, the Bryston 3B ST is virtually flawless. The accuracy of each amp that leaves the Bryston factory is hand tested, and the results are provided to you. What you will HEAR is completely faithful to your source components. Your speakers will have better bass response and a wider dynamic range (the difference between soft and loud signals at a given volume setting).

I compared the Bryston in my home (find a dealer who will let you do that) both to my NAD 2100s and a McCormick DNA .05. The Bryston sounded smoother than both and had bass response just shy of the DNA .05. The Bryston 20-year warranty, added to the balance, left my clearly preferring the 3B ST.

My only criticism of this product is the speaker terminals. They are crowded together in a little quadrangle on the otherwise sensibly organized back panel, making it very hard to biwire your speakers.