[NoNameNPC]

Is it possible to switch 120v version to 220v?

 

[judomaniak57]

lots of talk on other threads with guys changing the fuse. would it make any difference with the bryston? anybody here try it?

 

[mortcola]

just a data point....the Abyss TC sounds great through the BHA-1

Yes, makan. Sitting here, listening to everything I own and everything I can stream (Joni, Don Juan's at the moment), I can enthusiastically second that. Going back and forth between the Bryston BHA-1 and the Woo WA5-LE, getting to know the 1266TC. And, damn, do they do everything about as well as I've heard it done by cans. System includes Bryston BDA 3.14 and AQ Fire IC's, balanced, playing music from Roon, M1 iMac, both local files and Qobuz streaming.

I started to be concerned that the Bryston amp would be straining to power these Abyss - the aforementioned low power estimate on my mind, and the strange gain pattern of the volume control, both on low and high gain settings. I found that the best sound was on LOW gain, but there's a nice acceleration of gain at the two-thirds point on the knob, and suddenly, clean, grooving power, crystal clear on lowest bass, soundstage wide open, dynamics unhindered. Great matchup.

The Woo - SET 300B design - is every bit as good, at 2.5 times the price with upgraded build, adding an uncanny dimensionality, transparency, and bloom with no sacrifice of speed, extension, or impact. But both of these combos are no-compromise affairs.

This is fun.

 

[mortcola]

Dmdm have you got your abyss yet? wondering how the brytson works with such a hard to drive headphone

Well, its a year and a half later, but I can answer, as I'm listening to Ralph Towner's Solo Concert, Spirit Lake, on the Abyss 1266TC through Bryston 3.14 DAC and BHA-1 - bought new 2020. A little disconcerting is needing to turn the pot to about 2 o'clock to get a decent level - but it is an intelligently and immaculately designed amp, not lacking in power. Instinctively, I begin to feel that the amp "can't handle it" if I have to turn to knob so far - but that's a misguided instinct. The music is big, beautiful, clean, groovy, 3D - no indication at all that it is straining to drive the 1266TC even though the knob has to turn far. Even there, there's headroom to cleanly drive the cans louder than anyone would need. Bass-demanding recordings, and those with sudden, large dynamic shifts suggest that it is delivering its power in abundance, and drawing and delivering as much current as is demanded, as quickly and neatly as necessary. Bryston gear is just damned impressive. I have several TOTL headphones here, and I'm pretty sure we're at the furthest increment of diminishing returns - it would take an extraordinary expenditure and a degree of luck to find a headphone system significantly more satisfying. My other headphone amp is a Woo WA5-LE - dramatic 300B SET amp, with gobs of pristine power - and they are a beautiful contrast, but "better" isn't a word which would do justice to the comparison. End game stuff.

 

[vlach]

Well, its a year and a half later, but I can answer, as I'm listening to Ralph Towner's Solo Concert, Spirit Lake, on the Abyss 1266TC through Bryston 3.14 DAC and BHA-1 - bought new 2020. A little disconcerting is needing to turn the pot to about 2 o'clock to get a decent level - but it is an intelligently and immaculately designed amp, not lacking in power. Instinctively, I begin to feel that the amp "can't handle it" if I have to turn to knob so far - but that's a misguided instinct. The music is big, beautiful, clean, groovy, 3D - no indication at all that it is straining to drive the 1266TC even though the knob has to turn far. Even there, there's headroom to cleanly drive the cans louder than anyone would need. Bass-demanding recordings, and those with sudden, large dynamic shifts suggest that it is delivering its power in abundance, and drawing and delivering as much current as is demanded, as quickly and neatly as necessary. Bryston gear is just damned impressive. I have several TOTL headphones here, and I'm pretty sure we're at the furthest increment of diminishing returns - it would take an extraordinary expenditure and a degree of luck to find a headphone system significantly more satisfying. My other headphone amp is a Woo WA5-LE - dramatic 300B SET amp, with gobs of pristine power - and they are a beautiful contrast, but "better" isn't a word which would do justice to the comparison. End game stuff.

Are you running balanced between the DAC & amp with the amp set to hi gain?

 

[mortcola]

Are you running balanced between the DAC & amp with the amp set to hi gain?

Yes, balanced and high gain. Again, the performance is uncompromised, and beautiful. and I prefer things louder than some (I'm 57, a musician, and I'm still hearing past 14K, so I'm lucky, so far). Thoughts?

 

[vlach]

Yes, balanced and high gain. Again, the performance is uncompromised, and beautiful. and I prefer things louder than some (I'm 57, a musician, and I'm still hearing past 14K, so I'm lucky, so far). Thoughts?

I guess the Abyss is a tougher load than i thought.

 

[mortcola]

I guess the Abyss is a tougher load than i thought.

I don’t recall if you have them. Yes, theyre a are notoriously hungry load although not in Susvara territory. The redesigned driver on the TC version makes it an even easier load than the original; I never heard the original. I was very pleased though with the performance. I suspect that volume pot on the Bryston is meant to cover only the territory the amp can handle without a hitch.

First time I plugged in the 1266 TC, and saw how far I had to turn the volume knob, I didn’t listen much more, but just plugged them in to my big tube amp for the next few weeks. But when I got to sit down and listen attentively to the Abyss through the Bryston, and got it up to the volume level I liked, I was extremely happy with the musical performance. My concern with having to turn it so far was nothing but a conditioned response, i.e. “This one goes to 11“

 

[the1andonly]

one of these is for sale, I was amazed to learn this used to cost $1,395(BHA-1) and now is listed new as around $2,300.... why?

I cannot wait for someone to A/Bing the Schiit Asgard with the hi-price Bryston amp. That's going to be interesting. As much as I love the BP26/ 4BSST combo or SP16 /4BSST combo, the price increase every year of you folks at Bryston is way out of proportion.

 

[James824]

Simcoe audio out of barrie. My contact is Adrian Norenberg.

How are you liking the BHA1/BDA3 combo?
I am looking a these as well. Not sure if I will go tube (Woo) or SS (bryston) for the amp.

Is there any issue with heat from the BHA1?

 

[mthaynes]

How are you liking the BHA1/BDA3 combo?
I am looking a these as well. Not sure if I will go tube (Woo) or SS (bryston) for the amp.

Is there any issue with heat from the BHA1?

No heat issues. mine does not even get warm

 

[gimmeheadroom]

one of these is for sale, I was amazed to learn this used to cost $1,395(BHA-1) and now is listed new as around $2,300.... why?

Probably the 1395 is USD and the 2300 is CAD. At least we can hope!

 

[James824]

Probably the 1395 is USD and the 2300 is CAD. At least we can hope!

The BHA1 has increased in price to over 2K USD.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The BHA1 has increased in price to over 2K USD.

Well, it was a bargain before. I think it's still worth it though.

 

[notverriegod49]

Think a good upgrade from rebel amp would be the bha-1? Want the balanced option + a little more power