Предусилители — Bryston BR-20

The BR-20 is a preamplifier from Bryston that combines a fully balanced analogue line stage with an internal DAC plus network streaming in a single case. It is made in Dwight, Ontario, and draws on two earlier Bryston products - the digital section is based on the BDA-3 DAC, and the streaming platform is an updated version of the BDP player. A headphone amplifier completes the package, making it the central control unit of a system with separate power amplification.

Key specs that matter

Analogue inputs number four - two XLR and two RCA - and one RCA input can be replaced by an optional internal moving-magnet phono stage. Two balanced outputs feed power amplifiers. Digital connections comprise two AES/EBU, two TOSLINK, two coaxial S/PDIF and one USB input, and an optional HDMI module raises the total to as many as ten high-resolution digital inputs. The DAC accepts PCM up to 384 kHz and 32 bit and DSD at four times the base rate. Bryston quotes THD plus noise below 0.0006%. The TOSLINK inputs accept up to 24 bit and 96 kHz, coaxial, AES/EBU and HDMI inputs up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, and USB and the streamer reach 32 bit and 384 kHz, with the USB DAC capable of DSD256.

Engineering and use context

The analogue circuitry is discrete, fully balanced and runs in Class A. Separate power supplies feed the analogue and digital sections, keeping the two domains apart. Relays handle switching on every input, while level is set by a software-controlled balanced control, with an LED ring around the knob that can be read from the listening seat. Digital input buttons are programmable and can be given custom names. The headphone output has a low impedance to cope with difficult loads and has been given more power than in earlier Bryston designs. Control comes through the supplied BR-4 remote, a web interface usable from a phone, tablet or computer, RS232, and a network connection. The faceplate is offered in silver or black, 432 or 483 mm wide, neither meant for rack mounting.

Pairing

The two balanced outputs suit Bryston's Cubed amplifiers, whose XLR inputs have the lowest noise figures - for example a pair of 7B Cubed monoblocks or a single 14B Cubed. With the phono option fitted, a turntable joins streaming, disc transports on coaxial or AES/EBU, and a computer on USB, all through one box. The HDMI module adds switching for video sources and passes DSD directly from an SACD player.

Alternatives

The Bryston BP-17 Cubed is a line preamplifier from the same maker that uses the Cubed input circuit.