Bryston SP1.7 Cheap(er)

[diabolik]

Just got my Bryston from the states today. Cost me £1900 delivered plus £380 import duty etc. I make that £2280 for something that costs £4700 here. Its a 120 volt version but spend 40 quid on a transformer and you're laughing (well I am)

[Jeff]

Does a cheap transformer work well enough to power something like this? I'd be seriously concerned about the effects on sound quality, I mean, how are you even going to know?

[robfitzp]

If you have an Isotek substation you can specify a 120v unit for one or more of the outputs. Should be decent quality.

Where did you get it from - can you send me a PM if you don't want to post?

Rob

[gizlaroc]

You do need to go to substation level at least though, when using a decent unit like the substation compared with a chepish (£80) step down you can see the difference on a playstation, so hate to think what it does to a processor.

[Madders]

I'd be interested to know where you got it too

I thought that Bryston were happy to supply 230V (or is it 240v?) units to US dealers if specified?

It's a great unit, I'm sure you will enjoy using it!

[diabolik]

Originally Posted by gizlaroc

You do need to go to substation level at least though, when using a decent unit like the substation compared with a chepish (£80) step down you can see the difference on a playstation, so hate to think what it does to a processor.

I thought about this power issue a lot and have read so many differing opinions on mains filters, isolation transformers etc etc....
When you can say "see the difference" what do you mean? Whats different?
Thanks.

I don't want to post the distributers name on the forum but Ive sent mails to each of the guys who asked for it.
Cheers

[slingshot]

I could definatley be interested in this if someone could let me know where. Anyone got any proces for a decent 120v supply i.e. the substation option ?

Cheers

Slingshot

[JimmytheSaint]

Travelling back and forth to the US, I purchase most of my AV equipment from there. I am especially careful to buy products that are both usable on 120V and 220V. One item I would be especially concerned about is Power Amps, as these require changing of fuses and internal wiring. However, you may be fine with your Bryston and then again you may not. If I were you, I would look into contacting a Bryston rep here in the UK, explaining you have moved here from the States and would like to change the internal transformer to a 220V one. The basic transformers you are using may adversely affect the quality of performance of the unit. Also, it's important to bear in mind that the unit is not CE certified in it's current form and therefore, God forbid, if you should have an electrical fire, your insurers could refuse to pay (I've seen this happen).
For about £800 more, you could have purchased an MC12, which is a considerably better and upgradeable processor than the SP1.7 and also comes CE certified and either 220V or 120V out of the box.

Regards

Yas

[rags]

Jimmy - r u saying you can buy a new MC12 V4 for £2700 ???

If so I dont believe you (unless its a back of a lorry job) !!

[gizlaroc]

I would still take the Bryston though personally.

[rags]

Gizarloc - I assume you prefer the Bryston primarily for music ?

In my opinion the SP1.7 doesnt even come close to the MC8 for movies. The MC12 with the EQ should be way better. Not sure about the music side.

[gizlaroc]

Yeah, sorry should have been more clear, the analogue bypass on the Bryston from what I heard was great. Didn't hear much on movies with it.

[JimmytheSaint]

If you notice, I said MC12. The B, version 3 should set you back about £3500 and the v4 can be had as little as £4500.
The Lexicon is MILES ahead of the Bryston (which, if I remember correctly, a large number of people on this forum purchased only to be dissapointed by it's performance and then sell it!). Wayyyy too much is made of the analogue performance of the SP1.7. I did a side by side performance of it's musical abilities withe the MC12B and preferred the Lex (compare them for yourselves). Horses for courses I suppose, but theres no denying the Lex has better surround capabilities and considerably more support. For 'film' there is nothing better IMHO.
If you want supreme performance from an analogue bypass device, then get a seperate pre from the likes of Proceed, Krell etc

[Madders]

When you guys say the Lexicon analogue performance isn't as good as *enter preferred processor here *...what do you mean? Do you mean the soundstage it creates? Realism of sound?

[diabolik]

Originally Posted by JimmytheSaint

If you notice, I said MC12. The B, version 3 should set you back about £3500 and the v4 can be had as little as £4500.

If you want supreme performance from an analogue bypass device, then get a seperate pre from the likes of Proceed, Krell etc

Firstly, thanks for all the input on this one boys.

As I said at the start I paid 1900 plus import duty. I would expect that a piece of kit costing 1k or 2k more would perform better especially if it had been designed specifically to be the best surround processor on the market. I however didn't have that money to spend. I suppose some people don't have to worry about expense as much as others. As for buying a seperate pre amp, one of the reasons I got this was to combine my systems - £££ again.

Ive spoken with PMC and arranged to get my Bryston changed to 240v. Apparently its a case of changing a jumper in the PSU.