Bryston’s new BLP-1 turntable is a belt drive design housed within a mass-loaded chassis engineered with critical features and innovations to please vinyl enthusiasts, for a price that’s not outrageous and matches perfectly with the brand’s reputation - MSRP of $3995 including tonearm and custom Bryston power supply.
According to the Canadian company, each feature of the BLP-1 represents an effort to deliver remarkably accurate vinyl playback by holding precise speed stability while minimizing resonances. The BLP-1’s exceptionally accurate 33/45 RPM low speed / high torque motor is driven by a proprietary Bryston-designed and manufactured pulse width modulation (PWM) power supply called the BTP-1 (included with turntable).
The 35mm thick highly inert Delrin platter with integrated record mat, which damps non-musical vibration yet preserves critical detail, is mated to a hardened carbon steel spindle and ultra-hard bronze modular bearing system polished to 0.02mm tolerance. The unique vented plinth both eliminates platter turbulence and prevents unwanted vibrations from reaching the bearing. The seven-segment titanium tonearm features tungsten steel bearings and an arm tube integrated to the head-shell, making it virtually immune to cantilever-born vibrations. The Bryston BLP-1 also comes with a removable tonearm cable, adjustable brushed aluminum feet and an elegant hinged high-mass dustcover to complete the package.
“As we set out to design the newest Bryston phono preamplifier models BMC and BMM, the wide bandwidth and low distortion of our new gain stages reminded us of how breathtaking and fresh high- resolution vinyl playback could be,” explained Bryston’s James Tanner. ”With the BLP-1, we have created a turntable that represents premium performance to supplement our lineup. Going forward, it is our objective to identify an array of cartridges that will ideally match our turntable and phono stages (impedance, loading, capacitance, gain requirements, etc.) to provide customers with the predictability of a plug-and-play solution if so desired. Of course, dealers and enthusiasts will also have the option to select their cartridge of choice independent of our recommendations,” stated Tanner.
Bryston first opened for business in 1962 as a manufacturer of medical equipment. The company was purchased in 1968 by John W. Russell, an ex-NASA engineer. Together with sons Chris, Brian and John D., they first started exploring the field of accurate, reliable audio amplification in the early 1970s. Since that time Bryston has become legendary for their hand-built quality, performance and dependability under load in the home, professional and commercial markets. Bryston amplifiers are used in some of the world’s most renowned recording studios and owned by many discerning music professionals. Bryston applies precision manufacturing techniques and materials in the assembly of their electronic equipment that are more typically utilized by the military and aerospace industries. Bryston is based in Peterborough, Ontario Canada, northeast of Toronto, and is sold through over 150 dealers in North America and 60 countries worldwide.
The Bryston BLP-1 will become available through Bryston dealers beginning July 2016 with an MSRP of $3995 including tonearm and the custom Bryston power supply.
www.bryston.com
