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Bryston 4B Cubed Dual-Mono Amplifier
A rarified few components in audiophile lore have become so ubiquitous that nearly every music lover once had, lusted after, or if they're really lucky, currently owns one. One such legend is the Bryston 4B. This product has been manufactured continuously (though often refined) since 1978. Currently this venerated amplifier is on its 6th generation, and it's never been better. Now rated at 300 watts per channel into 8 ohms, (and upwards of 500 into 4 ohms), this true dual-mono amplifier is powerful enough for practically any speaker, yet it's priced to remain within reach. The degree of clarity, power, nuance, and outright truthfulness of this amp is stunning. If you've always wanted one, maybe now is just the right time.
Features
- Balanced XLR and Single ended RCA input
- 2 Channels each with fully independent power supplies including transformers
- 300W into 8 ohms (and up to 500 into 4 ohms) per channel
- The patented Salomie circuit found in all Cubed Series amplifiers
- Switchable gain (23dB or 29dB)
- Fully convection cooled means no noisy fans
- Machined and anodized aluminum enclosure and dress panel
- Less than 500mW standby power consumption
- SoftStart microprocessor controlled startup sequence won't trip circuit breakers
- DC trigger for automated turn on and turn off
- Legendary Bryston 10 Year Warranty
Options
- Silver or black faceplate
- 17” or 19” faceplate (non-rack mountable) 19" comes with front mounted handles
- PRO version includes 19" rack mount dress panel in black plus rear panel channel trim pots (-14 to 0dB)
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Professional Reviews 95/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
94/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Bryston 4B Cubed Dual-Mono Amplifier delivers razor-sharp imaging, iron-fisted bass control, and abundant headroom without sacrificing finesse. Roger Kanno found its neutral, exceptionally quiet presentation as convincing at intimate levels as it was authoritative at concert volume. With 300Wpc, formidable drive, and a 20-year warranty, it is a serious long-term anchor for demanding loudspeakers.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, neutral sound reveals fine detail without harshness.
Powerful, controlled delivery remains composed at very high volumes, with rock-solid bass and no audible compression.
Sharp, stable imaging and a spacious soundstage give dense recordings room to breathe.
Exceptional chassis construction and Bryston’s 20-year warranty support long-term ownership confidence.
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Cons
Its purposeful, industrial styling will not suit listeners seeking a more luxurious or contemporary visual statement.
The strictly neutral, uncolored presentation may not appeal to listeners who want tube-like warmth or a pronounced sonic character.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers consistently describe an exceptionally transparent, controlled and musically neutral amplifier with the power to remain composed at very high levels. Its presentation is more about hearing deeply into the recording than adding a distinct sonic personality, while imaging remains sharply focused and spacious.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
Roger Kanno calls the detail retrieval “astonishing” and says the 4B Cubed let him hear further into recordings than any previous amplifier in his system. SoundStage also characterizes it as amazingly transparent and free of coloration, while Future Audiophile heard a detailed, accurate sound that stayed true to the master.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The amplifier is repeatedly described as neutral, smooth and linear, without emphasizing one part of the spectrum over another. Kanno found it both highly musical and sophisticated, with enough refinement and subtlety to avoid reducing neutrality to sterility; Future Audiophile likewise noted a slightly softer character than its Anthem comparison.
Dynamics
96/100
This is a major strength. Reviewers report iron-fisted bass control, abundant headroom and no audible compression or clipping even at levels that made Kanno concerned for his KEF R900 loudspeakers; Future Audiophile similarly says it did not flinch at high volume. Independent measurements also exceeded the already substantial rated output, reaching 354W into 8 ohms and 552W into 4 ohms per channel.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Kanno heard razor-sharp imaging, an enveloping holographic soundstage, and stable focus across the full frequency range. Future Audiophile also noted that the amplifier gave individual instruments room to breathe, supporting a spacious but precisely organized presentation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The 4B Cubed uses an extremely solid chassis and full-length heavy-duty heatsinks, which Kanno judged exceptional without resorting to unnecessary extravagance. Reviewers also report silent, cool operation in use, extremely low measured noise and distortion, and Bryston’s unusually comprehensive 20-year warranty.
Value for Money
94/100
At its reviewed $5,695 price, Kanno called it potentially the best value in a high-end, high-powered solid-state amplifier, citing its virtually faultless sound and ability to drive almost any speaker. Although the current listed price range is $7,695-$8,250, SoundStage’s Doug Schneider still considered the 4B Cubed worth paying an additional thousand dollars for, and its long warranty strengthens the ownership proposition against premium rivals.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bryston 4B Cubed Dual-Mono Amplifier
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
- All That Audio — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audible Elegance — online and in-store — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (website)
and 107 more verified dealers