power amp (early 90's)  400 WPC @ 4 ohms
active crossover (1998)

Full system price $3500

Available separately:
Magnepans (pair) $1500
Bryston 10B $2500
Bryston 4B $1500

Obtained from the estate of the original owner, this Bryston 4B class-AB2 stereo power amp is one of Bryston's later models. (this fact was verified from the Bryston factory after we submitted the serial number directly to them)
 
It has been disassembled in order to install new output transistors.  The tricky and very important job of bias adjustment was also done.  After that it was  checked and re-checked again. Finally it was cleaned up, reassembled and fully tested.

We have to say, this is one tough, well-built amp.  After our typical routine service, it performs perfectly.  Cosmetically, it's damage-free; the black anodized faceplate is in excellent condition. Essentially, even today, almost 40 years later, it's still a tough, solid performing beast.    

NOTE: the original 4B/NRB was followed by other variations including the 4Be, 4B ST, 4B SST, and the 4B SST².   Even today, many years later, Bryston still offers a trade-in program that gives owners of any of those earlier iterations, regardless of condition, a generous credit toward a new 4B³.

Regardless of its age, this vintage amp from Bryston is a well-performing brute.   As some may already know, Bryston amps are found in studios throughout the world because of their neutrality and reliability.  One very amazing fact is that, from the beginning up through today, Bryston offers a 20 year analog and 5 year digital warranty on their products!

Many Bryston amps have been running nearly non-stop since they were manufactured over 40 years ago, illustrating Bryston’s commitment to superior engineering and manufacturing quality. 

Link to Stereophile Magazine review: https://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/592bryston/index.html


Specs:
Rated Power Output: 250 Watts Per Channel at 8 ohms
                                   400 Watts Per Channel at 4 ohms
                                   800 Watts In Bridged mode / 500 watts in mono
|Mono Mode at 8 ohms
Frequency Response: 1 Hz - 100 kHz
THD: 0.01%
Dimensions 16.25"W by 7 1/8"H by 13.5" D
Weight: 40 lbs.

Bryston 10B active crossover (1998)

Obtained from the estate of the original owner, this Bryston 10-B active crossover inserts between the preamp and the amp to give almost unlimited control of the actual sound coming from the speakers into various room environments,

Stereophile Magazine (April 2006)
"The Bryston 10B is a remarkably flexible crossover with logical features...the front-panel controls for one channel, from left to right, are: a Low-Pass/Mute toggle switch, a Low-Pass crossover frequency-setting knob, a three-way Low-Pass slope-selector switch with 6/12/18dB/octave settings, a High-Pass output-level knob, a High-Pass/Mute toggle switch, a High-Pass Slope selector switch with 6/12/18dB/octave settings, and a High-Pass Crossover frequency-setting knob...
In the center of the front panel are an On/Off button and three LEDs that indicate which mode the crossover is in: two-way stereo, two-way mono, or three-way mono. The unit's rear has all the input and output connections and a toggle switch to set for two-way mono, three-way mono, or two-way stereo....
...the Bryston 10B is a versatile, ergonomically sophisticated crossover. It's an excellent compromise between absurd bells-and-whistles flexibility coupled with sonic degradation vs unusable perfectionist passive sonic minimalism."

NOTE:  The Magnepan 1.6QR are uniquely problematic when it comes to crossover selection: Unlike 99.9% of other speakers, the Maggies need crossovers that relieve the midrange ribbon of most upper-bass responsibilities, while also providing midrange dynamic power by allowing the large panel woofers to extend into the midrange. We set up the Bryston 10B as close to the Maggies' original slopes and crossover points as possible.

About Bryston...
Bryston Ltd. has been designing and manufacturing state of the art specialty electronics to both the consumer and professional audio marketplaces for over 35 years.  They have a major commitment in producing the most accurate and reliable product available by maintaining an extensive research and development division which is constantly looking for ways to improve the performance, value, and reliability of their products.

Bryston engineers are never constrained by design costs for functionality. On the contrary, Bryston challenges their engineers to create the finest products they can; to source and use the best components; to move Bryston equipment ever-closer to perfection, while maximizing performance and reliability.

Following in the fine tradition of artisan craftsmanship worldwide, every audio component is handcrafted by people who take tremendous pride in building the very best. Each component is hand selected and installed, every wire is cut and bent by hand, and every connection is hand soldered.

In the consumer market Bryston manufactures state of the art audio electronics intended to provide the owner with the most musically accurate and reliable performance available. In the professional market Bryston offers amplifiers for recording studios, radio and television broadcast facilities, and sound reinforcement applications such as stadiums and arenas, etc.

Each of Bryston's fully assembled products is extensively tested before shipment. During 100 hours of continuous testing, Bryston amplifiers are monitored through a range of input cycles and thermal stress levels to duplicate a broad spectrum of operational loads. If any failures occur, Bryston will catch them during the manufacturing process, before you begin using the product.  Their dedication to creating the most reliable products is clearly evident in their 20 year analog and 5 year digital warranty.

Bryston products allow you to enjoy a generation of sound, music, and incredible performance. The company is based in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, just northeast of Toronto, and is sold through over 150 dealers in North America and 60 countries worldwide.

(1998)  $1500

This pair of the Magnepan 1.6QR were obtained from the estate of the original owner.  They are in excellent cosmetic condition and, of course...fully alive!  Also included is the original factory shipping box and related documentation.
Like all of the Magnepan models, the 1.6QR are an acquired taste and not necessarily for everyone.  They are best described as floor-standing, two-way, full-range, planar-magnetic, dipole loudspeakers

These thin panels would not look like speakers to those not familiar with flat panel technology.  They are 64.5” tall, 2” deep, and 19.25” wide, wrapped in an unobtrusive black grill cloth with solid natural oak trim down the sides.  Their original price was $1900/pair.

Their unique design always makes a stylish statement in any room.  However, be aware that this system can be a challenge depending on the room configuration.  We chose the Bryston 4B because the "Maggies" need a solid amp capable of driving 4 ohms; the better the amp power, the better they sound after discovering the right placement.

These are “Quasi-Ribbon Planar” magnetic speakers, which are dipolar. As opposed to the classic (dynamic) transducers that you are normally used to seeing in speakers (such as cones and domes), Magnepan uses a .0005” Mylar diaphragm. This diaphragm vibrates within a magnetic field to produce sound.

It should be noted that during our initial testing, we discovered a very slight "slap" within the 442 sq. in. bass radiating area on only one of the panels.  As per the factory suggestion, we removed the "sock" (grill cloth) and inspected the panel for delamination. We didn't find any. We then took a hair dryer and simply tightened up the mylar. 

Tech note: 
The critical design of the panel's bass radiating area, in conjunction with the intricate crossover network, has a potential to saturate the mylar with too much bass. To those who have either owned or researched this design, it was one of the Magnepans most well known issues. Regardless of whether an amplifier's tone controls are considered to be very good (or not), in order to alleviate that "stress" on the panels, we discovered it's best to utilize the included Bryston 10B active crossover instead. 

NOTE:  The Magnepan 1.6QR are uniquely problematic when it comes to crossover selection: Unlike 99.9% of other speakers, the Maggies need crossovers that relieve the midrange ribbon of most upper-bass responsibilities, while also providing midrange dynamic power by allowing the large panel woofers to extend into the midrange.  We set up the Bryston 10B as close to the Maggies' original slopes and crossover points as possible.

When properly set up, the Bryston assumes the optimum bass load and sends it off to the also included NHT SW2 active subwoofer. The sub performs its job on the bottom end while sending the optimum mid/high load to the panels. We are very aware that (when using a subwoofer) you must take care to balance the speakers properly so you don’t mess up the magical midrange and tight bass of the Magnepan 1.6.  We believe that this system, as we have arranged it, promises to be a very satisfying listening experience.

While looking at the back panel, you’ll notice these speakers are designed for utilizing bi-wire hookup techniques. The connection plate on the rear of each speaker has already been conveniently prepared for the buyer.   All the cables and connections for the speakers, crossover and subwoofer are also pre-arranged and included.  Essentially, as a complete system, it's simply plug and play.

Specs:
Description: Quasi Ribbon/Planar-Magnetic
Frequency Response: 40 Hz - 22 kHz ± 3 dB
Sensitivity: 86 c1B (2.83 W500 Hz/1 M)
Recommended Power: 100 watts RMS (8 ohms), normal; 250 watts RIMS (8 ohms),
Maximum Impedance: 4 Ohms


About Magnepan...
Go here:  https://magnepan.com/pages/about-us#:~:text=The%20Story%20Behind%20Magnepan&text=Jim%20Winey%2C%20the%20inventor%20of,the%20electrostat%20and%20founded%20Magnepan.

powered subwoofer (1993)

The NHT SW2 is a serious subwoofer that yields plenty of usable output all the way down below 25Hz in most any listening room. The SW2's ported 10" driver delivered amazing room-shaking output levels.  The sub is covered in a beautiful high gloss black laminate.

Specs:
10" woofer in vented enclosure.
Frequency response: 21Hz-350Hz, ±3dB direct in.
Crossover: 130Hz (passive version, built-in).
Sensitivity: 89dB (2.83V at 1m), 200W maximum.
Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6.2 ohms minimum.
Dimensions: 16"W x 16" H x 16" D. 
Weight: 40 lbs.

About NHT...
NHT Loudspeakers (Now Hear This) is a California based speaker and audio component company. The company was founded by Chris Byrne and Ken Kantor in December 1986.  Byrne primarily handled sales and marketing, while Kantor (introduced to Byrne by Michael Riggs, then at High Fidelity magazine) was responsible for design and engineering. NHT shipped its first product, the Model 1 loudspeaker, in 1987.  Rave reviews follows practically everything they produce.  Some of their very first satellites were the original Zero mini-monitors, a "must have" in the early days of surround sound and home theater setups.  
From NHT: "If you don’t read anything else, know this. NHT is an efficient, privately held, US-based business, managed daily by the owners and a handful of dedicated employees, most of whom are musicians, who love what they do. Feel free to shop in our on-line store, drop by our California showroom, and don't hesitate to call us about anything. We’d love to talk to you about how NHT can make your world sound a little bit better."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++