2. amps-preamps
  3. 166397-34411

Bring my own preamp to an amp demo?

I'm going tomorrow to demo a Bryston 4B3. I have a PrimaLuna Evo 300 preamp and Harbeth 30.2 XD speakers. The dealer suggested that I use a similarly priced preamp that he sells, but if I want to hear the amp with my specific preamp and the speakers I own (which he sells, and I bought from him) I need to drop it off when he opens and come back later because he has other appointments booked and needs time to connect my PL preamp, and maybe (I'm guessing) get it warmed up. I'm also going to listen to a BAT VK-56SE, and he suggested I keep an open mind and listen to an Einstein Integrated amp and thinking about selling my PL Evo 300 preamp. He wants me to have an open mind, and said he has a lot of customers that like and bought the Einstein with Harbeths. He also has an Audio Note amp demo for me to listen to as well. He's not a fan of PL, but is happy to work with me.
Bring my preamp or not?
128x128ctwith3
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Why not but you will like a solid state model better on a bryston amp especially with Harbeth speakers since they are accurate and so vivid on a solid state system.
ctwith3's avatar
ctwith3 OP
71 posts
 
I’m thoroughly enjoying the Bryston John was good enough to lend me. It’s been powered up since Sunday, and I’ve been playing vinyl, CDs, and my TV through it 24/7 and have been enjoy the sonic improvements along the way. Overnight I put on a CD and put the player on repeat. John is a great guy. I highly recommend him.
phcollie's avatar
phcollie
342 posts
 
That's the way to do it, audition at home with your own equipment.  Strangely enough when I purchased, my room deficiencies were "exposed" and soon found myself working on room treatment.  My older odyssey was by no means a bad unit, it just seemed to be a bit of a blanket tossed over my Maggies in comparison.  Everyone has their own flavor they love but I particularly like tubes in front of the 4B3 with the planars.  Cheers.

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