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Bryston BP-19 Analog Preamplifier — Black, 19”
A hand-built analog stereo preamp from Bryston. Fully balanced signal path, six inputs, a built-in headphone amp — and backed by a 10-year warranty.
This is the standard BP-19 without the optional internal phono stage. A moving-magnet (MM) or MM/MC version is sold separately.
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What You Need to Know
What Is This Product and What Does It Do?
The Bryston BP-19 is an all-analog stereo preamp. A preamp is the brain of a two-channel system. It lets you pick which source you want to listen to, controls the volume, and sends a clean signal to your power amp.
Bryston built the BP-19 using lessons from their BR-20, their flagship preamp. The BR-20 is a bigger unit that also has a built-in DAC and music streamer. The BP-19 takes the BR-20’s analog circuit and puts it in its own case — for people who want pure analog only.
The signal path is fully balanced from input to output. That’s a technical term, but the real benefit is a very quiet background. Bryston’s measured noise spec (–110 dB) and total distortion (below 0.0006%) are both top-tier numbers for a preamp at this price.
Every BP-19 also includes a built-in headphone amp. Bryston calls it “Low Z.” It’s a full headphone stage — not an afterthought — and can power demanding, hard-to-drive headphones. The 1/4-inch jack sits on the front panel.
The BP-19 is hand-built in Canada. Bryston covers it with a 10-year warranty on parts and labor. The warranty is for the first-time buyer only — it does not transfer to a new owner if you resell the unit.
One note on this listing: this is the standard BP-19 without a built-in phono stage. If you play vinyl, Bryston offers two onboard phono module options — MM or MM/MC — at the time of order. Those are sold as separate SKUs.
What Are Reviewers Saying?
After his review, Gomes made the BP-19 his new reference preamp. He called it a “completely different beast” from his old Bryston BP-26 — purer, more pristine, and with a wider, deeper sound stage. He praised the BP-19 for pairing precision with what he called “truly seductive musicality.”
Dewhirst praised the BP-19 for its “colorless” sound — meaning it doesn’t add its own flavor to the music. He called it a rock-solid audiophile preamp with no “house sound” and compared it to a Lexus: understated on the outside, rewarding to live with every day.
Who Is This Best For?
You want a serious pure-analog preamp. No built-in DAC, no streamer, no digital features to go stale in a few years.
You’re building a Bryston-based system — this is the natural preamp to pair with the 4B³ or 3B³ power amp.
You have a turntable and want the option to add an onboard MM or MM/MC phono stage when you order (that’s a different SKU).
You also enjoy headphones and want a real built-in headphone amp — not a token jack.
You like hand-built gear from Canada, backed by a factory test sheet and a 10-year warranty.
How Does It Connect to Your System?
The BP-19 has six analog inputs: four RCA (unbalanced) and two XLR (balanced). You can connect any line-level source — CD player, DAC, streamer, tuner, even a tape deck.
For outputs, you get two pairs of XLR and two pairs of RCA. One XLR pair and one RCA pair follow the volume knob. The other pair of each is fixed — useful for a tape recorder, a powered subwoofer, or a second amplifier.
On the front, there’s a 1/4” headphone jack driven by Bryston’s Low Z headphone amp. Plug in your headphones and adjust the volume with the front knob. The OLED display shows input and volume.
For control, Bryston includes an IR remote. The BP-19 also has Ethernet, RS-232, and DC trigger ports on the back — useful for custom-install systems or to power on your amp when you power on the preamp.
Keep in mind the BP-19 is a preamp only — there’s no power amp built in. To make sound, you’ll need a separate power amp (like Bryston’s 4B³) and a pair of speakers. Not sure what to pair it with? Give us a call at 800-942-0220.
Professional Reviews
Gomes had used the Bryston BP-26 preamp as his reference for nearly two decades. After hearing the BP-19, he replaced it. He wrote that the BP-19 sounded “purer, creamier, and more pristine,” with a wider and deeper sound stage. His conclusion: the BP-19 combines “precision and accuracy with truly seductive musicality.”
Dewhirst praised the BP-19 as a rock-solid audiophile preamp with a “colorless” sound — no house sound imparted on the music. He noted the straightforward design (no DAC, no streaming, no bells and whistles) and compared the BP-19 to a Lexus: understated but consistently satisfying.
Watch It in Action
Embed 1–3 videos from Bryston’s official YouTube channel or recognized reviewer channels covering the BP-19. Verify URLs before publishing.
Pairs Well With
The BP-19 is one piece of a two-channel system. Here are its natural companions:
- A power amp — required. The BP-19 has no amplifier built in. Bryston’s own 4B³ (300 W/ch) and 3B³ (200 W/ch) are the natural pairings. Any power amp with line-level XLR or RCA inputs will work. Shop stereo amplifiers »
- XLR interconnects. The BP-19 is fully balanced. For the preamp-to-amp run, balanced XLR cables are the preferred choice. Shop XLR interconnects »
- A turntable. If you have a record player, you can pair the BP-19 with an outboard phono preamp — or order it new with the built-in MM or MM/MC module (separate SKU). Shop turntables »
- Headphones. The Low Z onboard headphone amp will drive most high-end cans. Shop headphones »
- A DAC or streamer. The BP-19 is all-analog — your digital gear plugs in here. Shop digital audio »
Features & Specifications
Signal Path & Sound
Fully Balanced from Input to Output — The entire analog path runs in true balanced mode. That means less noise and better rejection of stray hum from things like Wi-Fi routers and phone chargers.
Very Low Distortion — Bryston rates total harmonic distortion plus noise at 0.0006% or less. The spec for IMD (another distortion measure) is 0.0003%. In plain English: the preamp passes your signal through without adding coloration.
Very Low Noise — Signal-to-noise ratio is –110 dB on both balanced and RCA outputs. That’s a very quiet background — you’ll hear low-level detail you might miss on noisier preamps.
Flat Frequency Response — Measured at ±0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. That means the BP-19 doesn’t add any tonal tilt to your music.
Inputs & Outputs
Six Line-Level Inputs — Four pairs of RCA (unbalanced) plus two pairs of XLR (balanced). Connect your DAC, CD player, streamer, tuner, and more.
Four Pairs of Outputs — Two pairs of balanced XLR and two pairs of RCA. One pair of each type is variable (volume-controlled); the other pair is fixed output.
Onboard Low Z Headphone Amp — Bryston includes a dedicated, full-strength headphone stage driven through a 1/4” front-panel jack. It handles low-impedance and demanding headphones.
Built for Integration — Ethernet, RS-232, USB, and a 12 V DC trigger let you tie the BP-19 into a smart-home system or a custom-install rack.
Build & Finish
Hand-Built in Canada — Every BP-19 is put together at Bryston’s Ontario factory. Each one is tested before it ships.
Oversized Toroidal Transformer — Bryston uses a big, low-noise power transformer inside the chassis — no outboard power supply needed.
Black, 19-Inch Faceplate — This SKU is the black model with the wider 19” front panel, sized to fit standard equipment racks. Five standard finishes are offered; custom colors are available through Bryston for an added fee.
OLED Display and IR Remote — A small OLED panel shows input and volume; it can be dimmed or set to auto-off. The included BR-4 remote handles volume, mute, input, and power.
Power & Warranty
Low Power Draw — Standby is under 0.5 watts; idle and in-use are about 12 watts. The BP-19 runs cool and stays out of the way.
10-Year Factory Warranty — Bryston covers the BP-19 for 10 years against factory defects. Parts and labor are included. The warranty is for the first-time buyer only and does not transfer. Save your bill of sale — or register on bryston.com.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Preamp Type | All-analog, fully balanced, solid-state |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.05 dB) |
| THD+N (20 Hz–20 kHz) | < 0.0006% |
| IMD | ≤ 0.0003% |
| Signal-to-Noise | –110 dB (balanced and RCA outputs) |
| Input Sensitivity | Balanced: 1 V | Unbalanced: 500 mV |
| Input Impedance | Balanced: 15 kΩ | Unbalanced: 50 kΩ |
| Max Output Voltage | 12 V (balanced and unbalanced) |
| Analog Inputs | 2 pair balanced XLR · 4 pair unbalanced RCA |
| Analog Outputs | 2 pair balanced XLR (1 variable + 1 fixed) · 2 pair RCA (1 variable + 1 fixed) |
| Headphone Amp | Bryston Low Z, 1/4” front-panel jack |
| Control | IR remote (BR-4), Ethernet, RS-232, USB, DC trigger in/out |
| Display | Black-and-white OLED, dimmable, auto-off |
| Power Consumption | Standby 0.5 W | Idle/Playing 12 W |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 4.6 × 19 × 13 in | 11.6 × 48.3 × 33 cm |
| Weight | 12 lb | 5.5 kg |
| Finish | Black dress panel, 19” wide |
| Optional Phono Modules | MM (BP-19P) or MM/MC (BP-19MC) — separate SKU |
| Warranty | 10 years, parts and labor, non-transferable (Bryston) |
| Country of Origin | Hand-built in Canada |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the standard BP-19 and the phono-stage versions?
The standard BP-19 (this listing) is a line-level preamp only. Two optional versions add a built-in phono stage for vinyl: the BP-19 MM (moving magnet) and the BP-19 MM/MC (both moving magnet and moving coil). You need to choose when you buy — the module is installed at the factory. If you don’t play vinyl, or you already own an outboard phono preamp, the standard BP-19 is the right pick.
What do I need to pair the BP-19 with?
The BP-19 is a preamp, not a complete amplifier. You’ll need a separate power amp and a pair of speakers. Bryston’s own 4B³ or 3B³ power amps are natural matches. Any power amp with XLR or RCA inputs will work. Want help putting a system together? Call us at 800-942-0220.
Does the BP-19 have a DAC, streamer, or HDMI?
No — the BP-19 is all-analog on purpose. If you want a DAC, streamer, or HDMI built in, look at Bryston’s flagship BR-20. The BP-19 is the same analog circuit without the digital features, which lets you plug in your own DAC or streamer.
How does the BP-19 compare to the BR-20?
The BR-20 is Bryston’s flagship and adds a DAC, a music streamer, and an optional HDMI board. The BP-19 is its analog-only sibling — same preamp circuit, same headphone amp, smaller price. Pick the BR-20 if you want all-in-one; pick the BP-19 if you want to choose your own DAC.
Can the BP-19 drive my headphones?
Yes. The BP-19 has a built-in headphone amp — Bryston’s “Low Z” circuit — driven through a 1/4” front-panel jack. It’s designed to handle demanding, low-impedance headphones, not just easy-to-drive models. Plug in a pair and adjust volume on the front knob.
What does the Bryston warranty cover?
Bryston covers the BP-19 for 10 years against factory defects. Parts and labor are both included. The warranty is for the first-time buyer only and does not transfer. Save your bill of sale, or register your purchase on bryston.com — coverage needs proof of purchase from an authorized dealer.
What’s the difference between the 17-inch and 19-inch faceplate?
The preamp inside is the same. The 17” version has a clean faceplate and is the standard audiophile pick. The 19” model (this one) is the same width as a standard equipment rack — useful if you keep your gear in a rack, or if you like the wider look.
Can I control the BP-19 from my phone or smart-home system?
Yes. The BP-19 has Ethernet and RS-232 ports on the back. Most smart-home control platforms (like Crestron, Control4, and others) can talk to the BP-19 over IP. Bryston also publishes HEX codes for universal remotes.
What’s in the Box
- Bryston BP-19 Analog Preamplifier (Black, 19” faceplate)
- Detachable IEC power cable
- Bryston BR-4 infrared remote
- Owner’s manual
- Warranty and registration info
Packing contents may vary by region and revision. If you need a specific item confirmed before you buy, give us a call at 800-942-0220.
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