Santa too bring me a new amp?!?

Kahuna
Kahuna Posts: 35
edited December 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
For years I have been lusting for a Bryston 4B (Present configuration carries an SST designation) and have been giving it a little more serious thought. I am currently using a Carver M4.0t in my 2 channel system, (interchanging 2 pre-amps, a Carver C-16 solid state, and a Carver C-19 hi-bred tube pre-amp) and was wondering if anyone could give me some insight comparing these 2 amps. (Strengths and weakness of each etc.) Thanks!
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited December 2006
    I love my 4.0t, and look around at amps, but it would take a great amp at a sweet deal for me to upgrade. My 4.0 currently drives a pair of Teledyne AR9's, without a hint of breaking a sweat. if you get the Bryston, I would be interested in any differences you hear, but that Carver is no slouch.

    I would consider going with a tube preamp, or a preamp upgrade before upgrading the amp for a better bang for buck upgrade. when I went the tube preamp route, I considerred it some of the best money I spent on my system, bar none.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
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  • Kahuna
    Kahuna Posts: 35
    edited December 2006
    Thanks for your reply. Are you suggesting a different tube pre-amp? (Other than my Carver C-19).
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited December 2006
    I've got a 4b sst and it's the one piece of gear that I feel pretty confident will never leave my system. It doesn't hurt that I'll probably be dead before the warranty on it runs out (20 years is a long time).

    The biggest complaint with the bryston is that it is VERY solid state. Everything that they say about SS is very true for bryston. Also, it's so clean and quiet (and what some people might call grainy), you're gonna hear every flaw with the rest of your system.

    Bryston w/ a tube pre is a great combo. Despite what my sig says, I've had the Dodd & 4bsst=>LSi25's for the past few months & I've been very happy.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited December 2006
    as far as I know, the Carver pre you have is not a tube pre, its solid state.
    some examples of Tube pre's I know are,

    Dodd ELP
    Anthem Pre2l (currently own, and LOVE it)

    do a search, theres a ton of info on tube pre's on this sight.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
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  • Kahuna
    Kahuna Posts: 35
    edited December 2006
    ohskigod wrote:
    as far as I know, the Carver pre you have is not a tube pre, its solid state.

    FWIW, the C-19 pre-amp I have uses 4 - 6DJ8 vacuum tubes. 2 in the line amplifier and 2 in the phone stages.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    edited December 2006
    The C-19 is, indeed, a tube pre and a nice one.

    I've owned several Carver amps, and my fave is the m4.0/TFM 45/42.

    Is the Bryston a better amp? Sure, but, it all depends on what you want to spend for incremental improvements in sound.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited December 2006
    TroyD wrote:
    The C-19 is, indeed, a tube pre and a nice one.


    slap my @ss and call me susan, I had no idea :o
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    edited December 2006
    no worries.....learning new stuff is half the fun!
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,998
    edited December 2006
    ohskigod wrote:
    slap my @ss and call me susan
    Somehow, I can't see anybody ever calling you Susan.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,124
    edited December 2006
    You will notice that I didn't

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,998
    edited December 2006
    Noted!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited December 2006
    F1nut wrote:
    Somehow, I can't see anybody ever calling you Susan.


    only my friends, and those that run faster than me :)
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter