Bryston will release its BR-20 preamplifier ($5,995) to dealers in the fourth quarter, combining a new analog preamplifier with the company’s flagship digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) platform and streaming music player. In a chassis.
BR-20 can connect up to 14 analog and digital signal source components, can also build high-resolution streaming media from Qobuz, Tidal, and can access the owner's own music collection.
The BR-20 nomenclature, originally called BP-18, is to honor Brian Russell, the president of Blystone, who dedicated his life to the Blystone brand and died in September 2020. Experienced audio clarity, transparency and detail, as well as great flexibility in processing various audio signals; analog or digital. I know my brother Brian is very proud and excited about what we can accomplish with the BR-20, and we are proud to be named after him," said Chris Russell, CEO and technical director of Bryston. Announcement statement.
The BR-20 analog preamplifier is a by-product of years of research and development, leading to the development of an optimized discrete buffer amplifier that can provide a low THD + N measurement value of 0.0006% or less. The analog signal path is a fully balanced design, using a closely matched component array and compact circuit design to achieve the lowest possible noise and common mode rejection. There is a small LED circle around the volume knob to indicate the output level. BR-20 also supports up to 15 signal sources and multiple inputs to increase flexibility.
BR-20 has Bryston's most advanced DAC and digital player/streaming platform. Users can access high-resolution content from up to seven external sources and internal digital music players that provide TIDAL and Qobuz streaming capabilities. When using the optional HDMI card, you can access the connections of the other four HDMI sources. The internal DAC can decode up to 384 kHz/24-bit PCM and DSD 256 (DSD x4), and has the extraordinary ability to decode DSD through HDMI. With the BR-20's optional HDMI card, audiophiles can connect to a compatible SACD player via HDMI, thereby using the player's built-in decoder to achieve pure signal reproduction and high quality. In addition, if high-fidelity shares the living space with a video system, users can connect 4K and HDR sources (such as Apple TV, Blu-ray players, etc.) to the BR-20 while delivering high-resolution video to its display. Or projector. The digital music player in the BR-20 ensures a smooth user experience and the ability to manage a large music library through Gigabit Ethernet, more RAM, and USB 3.0 connectivity for external music storage. The BR-20's built-in music player can deliver PCM and DSD128 up to 384 kHz locally to the DAC.
The company said that the BR-20 also has the most powerful on-board headphone amplifier Bryston has provided so far, which can provide high output impedance and critically low output impedance, and can even drive inefficient headphone models. Bryston added that the new Low Z headphone amplifier used in the BR-20 provides clarity and dynamics, second only to Bryston's own BHA-1 outboard headphone amplifier.
The BR-20 includes front panel controls and Bryston's BR-4 handheld remote control. BR-20 has so many inputs, so the control options have been extended beyond the front panel buttons. Each user can configure the BR-4 remote control to command each audio component, and can use a Web-enabled phone or tablet to adjust the volume and change the audio source. The user can rename the input and hide the unused input. For those who like to enjoy music in a dark listening space, the front panel LED and display can be dimmed or disabled. Smart home integrators will appreciate features such as IP control, RS232 and trigger input/output options.
A high-quality moving magnet (MM) cartridge stage equivalent to the Bryston outboard BP-2 can be purchased for $1,000, and an HDMI card can be purchased for $1,200.
