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Two Legendary Bryston Components Now United in a Single Chassis – With MM/MC Phono Stage Options
Bryston totally blows up the notion that integrated amps necessarily offer lesser performance than a system consisting of a separate preamp and power amp.
The new Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier gives no ground to Bryston's separates. And here's why. The Bi-200 is literally constructed from the Bryston BP-19 Preamplifier and 3B Cubed power amplifier, now united in a single chassis. It offers the best of both products without requiring extra space and financial outlay for quality interconnects.
"It's Alive!" exclaims the Bryston product sheet, acknowledging the potential Frankenstein approach of this monster integrated. But a glance tells you the Bi-200 is the furthest thing imaginable from some patched-together assemblage. It boasts a smooth, sleek, elegant exterior with a dial you'll long to twist and buttons that cry out for pushing. A handsome two-line front panel display lets you keep track of the status and other information.
High performance and transparency is always the Bryston goal, and an integrated amplifier doesn’t have to compromise performance for convenience. And it doesn't take up a lot of space. It's the same size as the 3B Cubed amp, which is fairly compact. So, if you aren't obsessed with building your ultimate dream system with the Bryston separates, keep your stereo modest in size and discrete with the Bi-200.
Preamp Section from the Bryston BP-19
The preamp circuitry comes from the best possible source, taken directly from the acclaimed Bryston BP-19, which leverages years of R&D and many design innovations that were achieved during the development of the multi-award-winning BR-20 preamplifier.
The BP-19 circuitry reproduces music effortlessly, constructed using only the finest hand-selected premium components including an oversized toroidal power transformer. The optimized discrete operational amplifier delivers a staggeringly low THD+N measurement at or below 0.0006%.
Amplification Section from the Bryston 3B Cubed
The amplification section from the Bryston 3B Cubed is a two-channel (stereo) design for a wide range of audio/video systems which call for medium to high amounts of power, but wish to avoid sacrificing sonic accuracy and long-term reliability. It is rated to deliver 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts into 4 ohms.
Just like the preamp section, the amplification circuitry is a dual-mono design. Two fully independent amplifiers are housed in the chassis. With totally separate power supplies and transformers, one channel under heavy load cannot restrict the performance of the other.
How great does the 3B Cubed circuitry sound? Let's check out what the audio press has to say.
"The Bryston 3B Cubed Power Amplifier might just combine the best of both worlds: those that love tube amps and those that love solid-state," raves Tom Martin in an October 21, 2022 video review for theabsolutesound.com.
"Overall, just like the 4B Cubed the 3B Cubed is still very much a smooth performer, and it certainly has all the resolution and refinement of its larger brother," reports Christiaan Punter, hifi-advice.com, December 26, 2017
Exceptional Optional MM Phono Stage for Vinyl Playback
For the first time ever, Bryston is offering the legendary BP-2 moving magnet (MM) phono stage circuit as an onboard option. An MM/MC board is available as an option, too. Note that the phono stage takes the place of analog input 1.
Most Moving-Magnet phono stages expect to receive a signal between 3-6 mV at their input from the cartridge. The Bryston Moving Magnet stage is a 41dB @1kHz gain preamp with a very unique RIAA playback equalization for moving magnet cartridges.
The RIAA Curve or equalization is a form of pre- emphasis on recording and de -emphasis on playback. A recording is made with the low frequencies reduced and the high frequencies boosted, and on playback, the opposite occurs. Bryston’s version of the RIAA curve is a one of a kind and has been proven to be one of the most accurate available.
Exceptional MM/MC Phono Stage Option
Moving coil cartridge lovers aren't left out. You may also order the BP-19 with an MM/MC onboard option. For the MM/MC version, Bryston offers s a pecially designed, custom-made outboard step-up transformers to accommodate low output Moving Coil (MC) cartridge designs. This will increase the voltage to a point which is acceptable to the input stage of the standard MM phono section.
The internal proprietary Bryston Moving-Coil step-up transformer in the Bi-200 preamplifier is available in two versions. Choose either a 20dB or a 26dB gain option.
Your choice will be determined by the voltage output of your chosen cartridge. From .1 to .2 mV we would recommend the 26dB version. At .3 mV we would say either version would work fine. From .4 to .5 mV or more, we would recommend the 20dB version.
Fully Balanced Signal Path
The major contributor to the exceptional sonic performance is the fact that Bryston keeps a fully balanced signal path throughout the signal path. In the past, a fully balanced signal path was difficult to achieve because you would need a volume pot with four tapers. With volume control chips, this is no longer an issue. The new design does have a lower noise floor than previous design, but it’s much better at suppressing common mode.
For the music enthusiast, this level of circuit sophistication means more lifelike performances, more detail, and more dimensionality from the recordings you love. With support for up to 15 sources and a wide variety of inputs, you will certainly find the connectivity options you require for any system configuration.
Inputs and Outputs
The input array includes two pairs of balanced XLR input jacks and four pairs of RCA input connectors. There are two pairs of RCA (phono) outputs (one pair fixed, one pair variable), and two pair of balanced XLR outputs (one pair fixed, one pair variable).
Analog Audio Inputs
The Bi-200 is equipped with four pairs of RCA input connectors and two pairs of balanced XLR input connectors. Balanced inputs use 3 pin XLR female connectors with pin 1 being ground, pin 2 as positive signal, and pin 3 as negative signal. Input sensitivity is 1 volt and input impedance is 15K ohms. Single-ended (or unbalanced) inputs employ gold plated RCA (Phono) jacks. Line input sensitivity is 500mV and input impedance is 50K ohms.
Analog Audio Outputs
There are two pairs of RCA main outputs. One pair is fixed and one pair is variable. Also provided are two pair of balanced outputs, using 3 pin male XLR jacks. One pair has fixed output, one pair has variable output.
