Bryston 3BSST, 4B SST User Manual 2
BRYSTON
OWNER’S MANUAL
Instructions For Bryston
SST Series Amplifiers
Models 3B SST and 4B SST
3B SST and 4B SST Series Amplifiers
Table of Contents
General Introduction Page 1
Description
Instalation and Ventilation
Rear Panel Input Settings/Connections Page 2
Setting Input Selector Switch
Balance Input Connector Configuration
Setting Input Sensitivity
Output Binding Posts Page 3
Front Panel Description Page 4
LED Indicators (Power-up Sequence)
LED Indicators (Operating Conditions)
Power Control Panel Page 5
Master Curcuit -Breaker
AC Power Input
Local/Auto Switch
Local/External Switch
Block Diagrams Page 8
Typical Performance Graphs Page 9-12
Technical Specifications Page 13
Bridged Mode Instructions Page 14
Important Warranty Information Back Cover
3B SST and 4B SST Series Amplifiers
1
Introduction
Thank you for choosing an SST SERIES Stereo Power Amplifier.
Bryston welcomes any suggestions you may have, or comments regarding the operation of your amplifier. We consider
you, our customer, to be Bryston’s most important resource, and your opinion is very much appreciated.
Description 3B SST
The 3B SST is a dual mono design 2 x 150W per channel audio power amplifier. Each channel selects a balanced or sin-
gle ended input. Each channel selects a gain of 29dB(1v) or 23dB(2v). The 3B SST includes ‘soft start’ power control circuitry to eliminate high inrush currents when A/C power is applied. The power up or turn-on of the 3B SST may be activated by remote control voltage.
Description 4B SST
The 4B SST is a dual mono design 2 x 300W per channel audio power amplifier. Each channel selects a balanced or sin-
gle ended input. Each channel selects a gain of 29dB(1v) or 23dB(2v). The 4B SST includes ‘soft start’ power control circuitry to eliminate high inrush currents when A/C power is applied. The power up or turn-on of the 4B SST may be activated by remote control voltage.
Warranty ( see back page for details )
Shipping Box & Packing Material
Please keep the original shipping box and all packing material. This will ensure the amplifier is protected in future transport. In the unlikely event you have a problem and must return it for service you must use the proper packing material.
Ship the amplifier only in the original packing material, as the unit is not insurable by carriers otherwise.
Installation ( see rack mounting section if applicable )
Ventilation. The most important installation consideration is ventilation. All SST amplifiers are convection cooled.
Unrestricted air-flow across its heat sinks is a must. For this reason do not install anything directly above it. Allow 3.5’ (2u)
to 5” (3u) inches of space above and to the sides of this amplifier. Do not install directly above other heat generating equipment. Should your instillation conditions be constricted, then additional forced air-cooling may be necessary. Bryston can
provide an optional fan package if required. Any SST channels thermally shutting down during operation indicates insufficient air flow, and a remedy must be found for cooling the amplifier. Provide a minimum 6” space to the rear of the amplifier for ventilation and dressing cables to and from the amplifier.
Never operate the amplifier in a vertical position.
Wiring the SST amplifier ( also see rear panel description )
Speaker wires should be as short as practical. Use quality wire, and if runs are more than 3 meters use at least 12 gage
wire. The speaker binding posts will accept wire up to 3 gage in size. Bryston will custom build cables for your application.
A/C power
Before plugging in the power cord be sure your SST amplifier is specified for the correct a/c voltage for your locality. The
voltage is listed on the label found at the upper right of the rear panel. The circuit feeding the 4B SST should be sufficient
so as not to cause the circuit breaker to trip (15 amp min). Note: the 4B SST when operated with both channels delivering
maximum power into 4 ohm loads, will consume all the available power in a normal household circuit, therefore a dedicated electrical circuit may be necessary with this situation. Never lift the safety ground to the amplifier nor remove the
ground pin from the plug.
Power line conditioners will not improve the SST amplifier performance, in fact most of the time they restrict the flow
of current to the amplifier, reducing performance at higher output levels
3B SST and 4B SST Series Amplifiers
2
Rear Panel Input / Output Connections
1. Input Select Switch.
Each SST channel gives the user the option of switching between either balanced input or single ended input.
2. Balanced Input connector. ( Imp. 20k )
This input connector accepts standard ‘XLR’ or 1/4” TRS .
Use quality, 100% shielded cables with gold plated connectors.
3. Single Ended Input. ( Un-balanced input ) ( Imp. 50k )
This input connector accepts standard ‘RCA’ or ‘Phono’ connectors.
Use quality, 100% shielded cables with gold plated connectors.
Balanced input Vs Single ended input:
The balanced input requires a balanced pre-amp source. Balanced systems provide noise rejection from external
electrical interference, so cable length can be very long ( 50m or longer ).
The single ended or unbalanced input is provided for pre-amps without balanced output. Single-ended cables should be
kept to 20’ (7m) or less. In general never use longer cables than necessary, never coil excess cable length, and keep
signal wires away from AC power or speaker cables.
4. Input Sensitivity (Gain) Switch.
The optimum gain setting will depend upon the source pre-amp operating level, and or personal preference.
The 1v
setting is used when the source is single-ended, or from a transformer coupled balanced source.
This is the home theatre setting for single ended or un-balanced operation.
The 1v setting provides the most amplifier gain - 29 dB. (1v in = 100w @ 8 ohms.) (noise -110 dB)
The 2v
setting is used when the sources output is actively Balanced.
This is the home theatre setting for balanced operation Or use this setting with any systems where
the volume control rotation is limited to the bottom half of the control or less.
The 2v setting provides an amplifier gain - 23 dB. ( 2v in = 100w @ 8 ohms.) ( noise -113 dB )
The noise is referenced in dB below rated output. Different input configurations result in slightly different noise readings.
The above noise ratings represent minimum readings, actual readings may be better.
5. Mode Switch. (individual or bridge mode)
The individual setting is for two channel operation.
Bridge mode is for mono operation.
6. Level Control. (pro models only)
The level control will attenuate the input signal level from 0dB through -14dB.
Fig 1
2
3
1
5
4
6
RCA PLUG
1/4” PHONE PLUG
XLR TYPE
3B SST and 4B SST Series Amplifiers
3
6. Output binding posts.
The RED binding post is connected to the amplifier output. Connect to this post the (+) terminal on the loudspeaker.
The BLACK binding post is connected to signal ground. Connect to this post the (-) terminal on the loudspeaker.
The Output binding posts provide three different interconnect options. Combinations may be used when bi-wiring. See figure 2 below. Cables should be kept as short as practical and should never be terminated with connectors that may become
confused for AC power connectors. Cables should be dressed away from input and power cables.
1. Banana plugs offer a quick disconnect option. Before inserting a banana plug into the binding post be sure to tighten the
post nut to avoid rattling and to provide full insertion of the banana plug. Gold plated locking banana plugs are available
from Bryston.
2. Spade lugs provide high contact area and secure fastening. Lugs should be gold plated. See diagram for details.
Post diameter is 5/16’ ( 8mm ), lug width 5/8” (16 mm). Gold plated spade lugs are available from Bryston.
3. Stripped bare wire up to 3 gage can be inserted through the hole in the binding post and held in place by tightening the
post knob. Additional tightening pressure can be achieved using a coin in the slots of the knob. Do not over tighten or the
binding post may become damaged. Note that copper wire is malleable and may require further tightening after the initial
installation.
5/8”
5/16”
Fig 2
Spade lug dimensions
3
2
1
Coin
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