Bryston Bi200 Integrated Amplifier with MM/MC (20dB) Phono - 17 Inch - Black

What You Need to Know

What Is This Product and What Does It Do?

The Bryston Bi-200 is an integrated amplifier — meaning it combines a preamplifier and a power amplifier into a single unit. A preamplifier selects your source and controls volume; a power amplifier takes that signal and delivers the watts that drive your speakers. The Bi-200 does both, and it does so in an unusually direct way.

Bryston is remarkably candid about what the Bi-200 is: it is, in their own words, “literally constructed from the Bryston BP-19 Preamplifier and 3B Cubed power amplifier united in a single chassis.” Two complete, separately developed components share one enclosure. The only thing the preamplifier and power amplifier sections have in common is the power cable entering the chassis. Everything else — transformers, power supplies, circuit boards — is fully independent.

This approach has a practical payoff. Buying the BP-19 preamplifier and 3B Cubed separately costs around $11,190. The Bi-200 with MM/MC phono costs $10,245 — and eliminates the need for a set of interconnects between them. You get the same engineering in a smaller footprint at a lower price.

The Bi-200 is a Class A/B design. The output stage operates in Class A — the most linear, lowest-distortion mode — for the first portion of its power output, then transitions to Class B for higher demands. Most listening happens in the Class A region. The power stage delivers 200 watts per channel into 8-ohm speakers or 300 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads. That is genuine, high-current output that can drive a very wide range of speakers, including demanding low-sensitivity designs.

What sets the Bi-200 apart within Bryston’s own lineup is that it’s the first Bryston integrated amplifier to feature a fully balanced preamplifier section. Earlier Bryston integrateds offered balanced inputs on the power amp side but used unbalanced signal paths in the preamp. The Bi-200’s preamp is balanced end-to-end — from the XLR inputs through the internal connection to the power stage and out the balanced pre-outputs. This tighter, more noise-resistant signal path allows the class-A preamp section to reach a measured THD figure of below 0.0006%. That’s extraordinarily low for a preamp at any price.

Like the standalone 3B Cubed, the power stage employs Bryston’s patented Salomie input circuit — 12 active devices arranged to trap and eliminate distortion and radio-frequency interference before it can enter the signal path. According to Bryston, this circuit achieves less than 0.001% distortion, the lowest measured figure of any amplifier they have ever produced.

The amplifier is convection cooled — no fans, no noise. A SoftStart microprocessor brings it online gradually at power-up to prevent tripping your household breaker. The volume control is digitally managed but fully analog in signal path: a rotary encoder adjusts level in 2, 1, and 0.5 dB steps (finer steps at lower volumes), and a compact OLED display shows the current level and input selection.

This version includes Bryston’s optional MM/MC phono module with 20 dB MC step-up gain. The module uses a moving-coil step-up transformer and accepts cartridges with outputs as low as 0.1 mV. Gain is user-selectable between 20 dB and 26 dB via internal switches. For MC cartridges outputting 0.4 mV or higher, the 20 dB setting is recommended; cartridges between 0.1 and 0.2 mV should use the 26 dB setting. It also handles MM cartridges, with 41 dB of gain at 1 kHz for the MM input.

Every Bi-200 is handmade at Bryston’s facility in Dwight, Ontario, Canada, and is backed by Bryston’s 20-year warranty covering parts and labor. The warranty is transferable to subsequent owners with the original bill of sale from an authorized Bryston dealer.

What Are Reviewers Saying?

Who Is This Best For?

You want the performance of Bryston separates — the BP-19 preamp and 3B Cubed power amp — in a single unit that takes up less space and costs around $2,700 less than buying them individually.

You have demanding speakers — low-sensitivity designs, 4-ohm loads, or large floor-standers — that need real current on tap. The Bi-200’s 200W / 300W (8 Ω / 4 Ω) output handles nearly any speaker load with authority.

You play vinyl and want a no-compromise phono stage built in. This version includes the MM/MC phono module with a moving-coil step-up transformer, so your turntable connects directly without a separate phono stage.

You’re an analog purist. The Bi-200 has no built-in DAC and no streaming. Every input is analog. If you want a clean, simple, all-analog signal path, this is built for you.

You want something built to last. The 20-year transferable warranty is one of the longest in consumer electronics. Bryston expects this amplifier to outlast the gear around it.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The Bi-200 has six analog line inputs: four single-ended RCA pairs and two balanced XLR pairs. There is no digital input and no network connection — this is a dedicated analog component. You select among inputs using the front-panel buttons or the included BR-4 remote, and the chosen source is shown on the front-panel OLED display.

Outputs include both fixed and variable pre-outs — a balanced XLR pair and a single-ended RCA pair — so you can add a powered subwoofer or a second power amplifier without disturbing the main speaker connection. The speaker binding posts on the rear panel accept spade lugs, banana plugs, or bare wire. A headphone output sits on the front panel via a standard 1/4-inch jack. According to Bryston, the Bi-200 includes the most powerful headphone amplifier section they have ever built into an integrated.

A DC trigger output lets compatible downstream components — a powered subwoofer, for example — power on automatically when the Bi-200 does. For custom installation and automation systems, the Bi-200 supports RS232, USB, and Ethernet control, making it compatible with Crestron, Control4, and similar home automation platforms.

The phono input (on this MM/MC version) occupies one of the four RCA input slots. Gain and loading for the MC step-up transformer are set via internal switches — if you change cartridges frequently between very different output levels, keep that in mind, as it is an internal adjustment rather than a front-panel control.

Professional Reviews

Earned Recognition

In its first year of reviews, the Bi-200 has collected recognition from respected publications across two continents.

Pairs Well With

Building your system around the Bi-200? Here are some great companions.

• Speakers. With 200 watts into 8 ohms and 300 into 4 ohms, the Bi-200 drives a very wide range of loudspeakers. It’s especially well-suited to larger floor-standers, low-sensitivity designs, and any speaker with a complex or demanding impedance curve. Shop speakers »
• Turntable. This version already includes Bryston’s MM/MC phono stage, so your turntable connects directly. You’ll want a quality tonearm cable to take full advantage of the phono module’s low noise floor. Shop turntables »
• DAC or Music Streamer. The Bi-200 is pure analog — it has no built-in DAC. A quality DAC or streamer with line-level analog outputs connects to any of the four RCA or two XLR inputs. Shop digital audio »
• Speaker cables. A high-current amplifier like the Bi-200 rewards good speaker cables. Shop speaker cables »
• Balanced (XLR) interconnects. If your source components have balanced outputs, connect them to the Bi-200’s XLR inputs for the best noise rejection. Shop XLR interconnects »
• Power conditioner. Clean AC benefits every component in a high-resolution system. Shop power conditioners »

Features & Specifications

Amplifier Performance

Serious Power in a Compact Chassis — The Bi-200 delivers 200 watts per channel into 8-ohm speakers and 300 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads. That’s the same power output as the standalone 3B Cubed power amplifier — in a chassis roughly the same size.

Exceptionally Low Distortion, End to End — The class-A preamp section measures below 0.0006% total harmonic distortion, according to Bryston. Through the full system — preamp plus power amp — THD+N stays below 0.005% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at rated power into 8 ohms. Intermodulation distortion is at or below 0.005%, typically 0.002%. These figures place the Bi-200 among the lowest-measuring integrated amplifiers available at any price.

Very Low Noise Floor — The preamplifier section measures a signal-to-noise ratio of –110 dBr, balanced or single-ended. Through the full amplifier, noise is below –108 dBr (weighted, 22 Hz–22 kHz). In practice: the Bi-200 is essentially silent between notes, even through efficient speakers in a quiet room.

Fast Transient Response — A slew rate greater than 60 V/µs means the amplifier can track rapid transient peaks — drum strikes, plucked strings, leading edges — without rounding or smearing the attack.

Topology & Design

A Direct Union of Two Bryston Classics — The preamp section is taken directly from the BP-19, which itself was developed alongside the flagship BR-20. The power section is the complete 3B Cubed. Both circuits are fully independent inside the chassis; they share only the incoming power cable.

Fully Balanced Signal Path — A First for Bryston Integrated Amplifiers — Previous Bryston integrateds offered balanced connections on the power amp side only. The Bi-200’s preamplifier section is fully balanced from input to output, including the internal connection to the power amp stage. According to Bryston, the new digitally controlled analog volume system made this possible by eliminating the need for a traditional four-taper potentiometer. The result is a lower noise floor and better common-mode noise suppression than earlier designs.

Patented Salomie Input Circuit — The power stage uses the same input circuit found in the 3B Cubed and 4B Cubed — 12 active devices configured to act as a highly linear buffer and RF/EMI filter. Bryston states the circuit achieves less than 0.001% distortion, the lowest of any amplifier the company has ever measured.

Dual-Mono Power Amplifier — The left and right power amp channels each have their own independent transformer and power supply. Dynamic demands on one channel can’t draw from the other channel’s reserves.

Digitally Controlled, Fully Analog Volume — The rotary encoder-based volume control adjusts level in 2 dB steps above –20 dB and finer 1 dB and 0.5 dB steps at lower volumes. Volume and input selection are shown on a compact OLED display.

Fully Convection Cooled — No fans. The machined aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink. The amplifier operates in complete silence at all listening levels.

The MM/MC Phono Stage

Moving-Coil Step-Up Transformer, Selectable Gain — This version includes Bryston’s MM/MC phono module, which uses a moving-coil step-up transformer with user-selectable gain of 20 dB or 26 dB (set via internal switches). For MC cartridges with an output of 0.4 mV or higher, 20 dB is recommended. For cartridges between 0.1 and 0.2 mV, use 26 dB. For MM cartridges, the module provides 41 dB of gain at 1 kHz.

Connectivity

Six Analog Inputs — Four single-ended RCA pairs and two balanced XLR pairs. All purely analog — no digital inputs, no DAC, no streaming. Input selection is via front-panel buttons or the included BR-4 remote.

Flexible Outputs — Fixed and variable pre-outs in both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA let you add a powered subwoofer or a second power amplifier. The front-panel 1/4-inch headphone jack drives Bryston’s most powerful onboard headphone circuit to date.

Remote, Automation & Trigger — The BR-4 remote controls input selection, volume, mute, and power. RS232, USB, and Ethernet ports support two-way control from automation platforms. A DC trigger output can power on compatible downstream components automatically.

Build & Finish

Machined in Canada — Built at Bryston’s facility in Dwight, Ontario. The enclosure is machined aluminum. The 17-inch faceplate is anodized aluminum; this SKU is available in black or silver. Optional finish choices include Gun Metal Grey, Champagne, and custom colors.

Same Footprint as the 3B Cubed — The Bi-200 is notably compact for a 200-watt integrated. According to Audio Advisor’s product description, it is the same size as the standalone 3B Cubed power amplifier.

Quick-Reference Specifications

What’s in the Box

• Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier — 17” faceplate, with MM/MC (20 dB) phono module installed
• Bryston BR-4 remote control
• Detachable IEC AC power cable
• Owner’s manual
• Warranty and registration information

Packing contents should be confirmed with Bryston or Audio Advisor before publishing. A factory-matched performance certificate may also be included — verify.

Want to learn more about integrated amplifiers, how to match one to your speakers, or how to get the most out of a built-in phono stage? Visit our Audio Advisor Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.