Review samples supplied by Mafico
Retail prices:
Bi-200: 9.750 euro without Phono (as reviewed)
Bi-200P: 10.750 euro with MM phono option
Bi-200MC: 11.490 euro with +20dB or +26dB MC phono option
Bryston is not a company to brag about its products; rather, it is the inverse. They are very modest and “simply” build the best products they can. The quality of their products concerns not just the sound but also longevity. Bryston products are covered by a 20-year warranty. Let that sink in. I know no other company that does this, and it speaks volumes about Bryston’s trust in its products. By the way, Bryston is refreshingly free of esoteric high-end nomenclature, and they do not even have quality tiers. Everything they sell is of the same high quality. The only difference between the amplifiers as you move up in the model range is the power they provide. For Bryston, high performance and transparency are always the goal, and they do not believe that an integrated amplifier has to compromise ability for convenience.
When this company claims something for its products, you can be sure it is no marketing fluff. Equally, when the brand claims that its integrated amplifiers give no ground to their separate counterparts, you can take that at face value.
Bi-200 Description
The Bi-200 may not be the first no-compromise integrated amplifier said to be based on existing preamplifier and power amplifier designs. However, the Bi-200 is literally constructed from the Bryston BP-19 Preamplifier and 3B amplifier products combined into a single chassis, offering the best of both products without occupying extra space or requiring costly interconnects.
The Bi-200 analog integrated amplifier is a byproduct of years of R&D that resulted in the development of an optimized discrete buffer amplifier capable of delivering immensely low Harmonic Distortion. According to the specs, the Bi-200’s class-A preamp section achieves a Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 0.0006%. The Bi-200’s full signal path, including the power amplifiers, still achieves lower than 0.002% intermodulation distortion and no more than 0.005% THD + Noise. Meanwhile, it outputs 200 Watts into 8 Ohms and 300 Watts into 4 Ohms.
The analog signal path is fully balanced, using an array of very tightly matched components and a compact circuit design to achieve the lowest possible noise and superior common-mode rejection.
Significant performance improvements have been achieved with the new balanced inputs and outputs. In the past, achieving a fully balanced signal path was challenging because it required a volume potentiometer with four tapers. This is no longer an issue with the availability of digitally-controlled analog volume control chips. This design achieves a lower noise floor than previous designs and exhibits improved common-mode noise suppression.
The Bi-200 also features Bryston’s most powerful onboard headphone amplifier, providing high output and critical low impedance to drive even inefficient headphone models. The new Low-Z headphone amp delivers clarity and dynamic capability at a level close to Bryston’s legendary BHA1 outboard headphone amplifier.
The Bi-200 allows for complete control via its front panel controls, and a BR-4 handheld infrared remote control handset is included. The Bi-200 remote features six inputs, as well as Volume, Mute, and Power controls. The remote can also control a Bryston digital player, such as the BDP-3 or the BDP-31.4.
The front panel LEDs can be set to classic green or modern blue via the display menu. Thankfully, the blue LEDs are dimmed to just the right level, avoiding the eye-piercing brightness often seen in many products. Furthermore, the front panel LEDs and Display can be dimmed to various levels, and the display automatically powers off after a set time.
On a critical note, the display text is very small, which is not a problem for nearby on-device configurations, but the volume level is not readable from any distance unless one has 20/20 vision. It would have been nice if the chosen volume setting were briefly displayed in a large font covering the entire vertical display size. Furthermore, I wish the display could always be on so you can see the volume level at a glance (as long as you’re close), but presumably, this option has been intentionally left out to prevent OLED burn-in.
Optional phono modules are available for MM or MC. The latter is available in two versions, with either a 20dB or 26dB gain. For MC cartridges with an output between 0.1 and 0.2 mV, the 26 dB version is recommended. For MC cartridges with a sensitivity greater than 0.3 mV, both versions are compatible. For MC cartridges with an output of 0.4 mV or higher, the 20dB version is recommended.
Lastly, Bryston now also offers personalized faceplate colors for the amplifiers, preamplifiers, CD players, digital players, phono stages, and DACs. The new color choices, including Gun Metal Grey, Champagne, Silver, White, and Black, plus the option to create custom colors, enable the components to blend seamlessly or contrast elegantly within any décor or equipment rack. It is even possible to order the faceplate without the horizontal grooves. Source buttons are only available in Black or Silver.
Review Context
The Bi-200 was listened to in the main system that consists of the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, CH Precision L1 preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5 power amp, and Magico S1 MkII speakers. Digital sources include the Antipodes K50, Grimm MU1, and Taiko Audio Extreme music servers, the Aqua Diva M2 CD transport, and the Aqua LinQ network interface.
All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808, balanced and unbalanced, and the speaker cables are Driade Flow Reference 808.
For support, I use Artesania Exoteryc racks and Aire floor platforms with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms, and HRS EXR Stands and Floor Platforms.
In addition to my usual Magico S1 loudspeakers, I also used the Apogee Duetta Signature and Driade Premium Model 9.
Next: Listening
