BR-20 Preamplifier

---

4-6 Week delivery time

"Our most exquisite representation of musicality ever. The BR-20 is a fitting tribute to our late dear friend and colleague Brian Russell."

The team at Bryston Ltd.

INSPIRATION

What would happen if Bryston designed a truly state-of-the-art analog preamplifier, combined it with our award winning digital-to-analog conversion circuitry, and built bit-perfect high resolution streaming all into a single chassis? Would it sound better than separates? Could we simplify world-class sound? Could we convince you to downsize your rack while upgrading your system?

EXECUTION

Years of R&D have resulted in a new discrete operational amplifier from Bryston that outperforms all that have come before. Each BR-20 measures at or below 0.0006% THD+N—an exceptionally low number giving your music incredible room to breathe! We combined the excellent BDA-3 DAC with an updated BDP streaming platform into the system so you can get the best possible digital performance from our built in player, or the digital source of your choosing. We even updated the internal headphone amplifier to have more power and lower output impedance to effortlessly power even difficult loads. Finally, we offer our best phono preamp and an all new HDMI card as options for even greater flexibility in your system. We can confidently say the new BR-20 is our best preamp ever!

Key Features

Bryston's Best Preamp Ever

The BR-20 features the most advanced combination of analog and digital functionality in Bryston's history. Simply put, it's Bryston's best and most versatile preamplifier ever. The BR-20 combines the company's excellent BDA-3 DAC (digital to analog converter) with an updated BDP streaming platform so you can get the best possible digital performance from the built-in player or from the digital source of your choosing. The BR-20 also features an updated internal headphone amplifier to have more power and lower output impedance to effortlessly power even difficult loads. Finally, the BR-20 offers Bryston's best phono preamp and an all-new HDMI card as options for even greater flexibility in your system.

Bryston has described the BR-20 as "a front-end solution that combines the best of Bryston's technologies into one ultra-high-performance audiophile hub." And it really is the ultimate audiophile hub, including features and connectivity to accommodate the demands of the modern audiophile. Connect up to 14 analog and digital source components plus enjoy high-resolution built-in streaming. From Bryston's best-ever built-in headphone amplifier to optional phono inputs for vinyl collectors and 4K HDMI inputs for DSD playback and A/V connectivity, the BR-20 has been engineered to work with nearly any source. Bryston’s innovative analog circuitry designed specifically for the BR-20 preamplifier has yielded the lowest noise and distortion measurements in the history of the Bryston brand. The BR-20 comes with the BR-4 remote plus RS232 and network connectivity for limitless control options.

Features

• 2 ea. balanced and single-ended inputs
• 2 ea. balanced outputs
• All-new fully discrete Class A analog circuitry
• XLR pair configurable as variable or fixed output
• Independent power supply for analog and digital circuits
• Relay switching on all inputs
• Programmable theater bypass feature
• Software control and balanced action volume control
• Included high-res DAC up to PCM 384 kHz / 32 bit and DSD x 4
• Digital Inputs include 2 ea. AES/EBU, TOSLINK, S/PDIF (RCA) and 1 ea. USB
• Included high resolution streamer plays back virtually any file format at native resolution
• Control entire system using intuitive webUI on a smartphone, tablet, or computer
• Low Z headphone amplifier is a dedicated headphone circuit capable of powering even difficult-to-drive headphones

Options

• Silver or black faceplate
• 17” or 19” faceplate (non-rack mountable)
• Internal 4 input, 1 output HDMI card is 4K HDR compatible. Can also receive DSD over HDMI
• Internal MM Phono Stage (replaces 1 RCA analog input)

Analog Circuits

Years of R&D at Bryston culminated in an analog preamp section featuring a fully-balanced design. The new fully discrete operational amplifier from Bryston outperforms previous versions in general noise floor and common mode rejection. Analog circuitry designed just for the BR-20 yields that lowest noise and distortion measurements in Bryston history. What this means for the listener is more lifelike performances, more detail, and more dimensionality from your recordings.

The volume control is fully analog. A ring of LED lights around the knob indicates the output level.

Two balanced and unbalanced analog sources can be simultaneously connected. An optional high-precision MM (moving magnet) phono stage equivalent to Bryston's outboard BP-2 is available as an internal storage option. Dual balanced outputs can drive multiple amplifiers or subwoofers. An optional HDMI card is available.

With support for up to 14 sources and a variety of inputs, users will find the connectivity options they desire.

Digital Circuits

Digital Circuits The BR-20 features Bryston's most advanced DAC and streaming music player. This means you get the utmost performance from any source. You can access high-resolution content from up to seven external sources as well as the internal digital music player with TIDAL and Qobuz streaming capability (subscriptions required) as well as four optional HDMI sources.

The flagship BDA-3 DAC inside the BR-20 can decode PCM up to 384kHz/24 bit as well as DSD 256 (DSD x4. This allows the BR-20 to enhance the sound of older digital source components while providing the high-resolution and interconnectivity of modern devices.

The bit-perfect digital music player inside the BR-20 gives you the ability to manage large music libraries thanks to gigabit Ethernet, more RAM, and the addition of USB 3.0 connectivity for external music storage. The player will natively pass PCM up to 384 kHz and DAD 128 to the DAC.

The Bryston BDA-3.14 combines a digital preamp, DAC, and Bryston's BDP-Pi. The BR-20 upgrades to a faster Raspberry Pi 4 with more RAM, faster processing, gigabit ethernet, and USB 3.0 connectivity. For the listener, this means a smoother user experience and better handling of large libraries.

SACD and HDMI

The BR-20 has the ability to decode DSD over HDMI. Using the optional HDMI card, you can connect a compatible SACD player to the BR-20 over HDMI for a big upgrade in sound quality. And if your audio system shares space with your TV, you can connect 4K and HDR sources such as Apple TV and Blu-Ray. High-resolution video is passed through to a connected monitor.

Control

Because of the many inputs available on the BR-20, Bryston opted to expand control options beyond buttons. The BR-20 comes with the BR-4 remote plus RS232 and network connectivity for limitless control options. Each source button on the elegant front panel of the BR-20 and the handheld remote can be configured to command your choice of source component, and you can use your phone or tablet to change sources and to adjust balance and volume. You can rename inputs and hide ones not in use. A ring of small LED lights surrounds the volume knob, indicating output level. These can be darkened if the listener desires. And never forget your source assignments again. Program each digital input to respond to a front panel button, remote button, and even give it a custom name!

New High-Power Headphone Amp

The BR-20 features Bryston's most powerful onboard headphone amp ever. This Low Z amp has a low output impedance (less than 5 Ohms) to drive even the most power-hungry headphones. The clarity and dynamic capability in this headphone amp are second only to Bryston's own BHA-1 outboard headphone amplifier.

Who is Bryston?

Based in Ontario, Canada, Bryston Ltd. has been designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art specialty electronics for consumers and audio professionals for over four decades. Products include amplifiers, preamplifiers, loudspeakers, DACs, CD players, home theater components, and more. The first Bryston 4B amplifier debuted in 1976.

---

Press and Reviews