Bryston is known worldwide for providing very high quality, Made in Canada, amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital music players, DACs and loudspeakers. In February 2021, ownership of the company was transferred to its former VP, James Tanner, an acquisition in partnership with loudspeaker manufacturer Colquhoun Audio, also based in Canada.
The acquisition was agreed following the decision by former Bryston CEO Chris Russell to retire, remaining active as a consultant with the company founded by his family decades ago. Bryston was originally a manufacturer of high tech blood analyzers and precision medical equipment that began business in 1962. The company was purchased in 1968 by John W. Russell, an ex-NASA engineer. As the story goes, in 1976, James Tanner purchased a pair of Dayton Wright electrostatic speakers which his current amplifiers were having a heck of a time driving. So, using high-tech and sophisticated parts, Bryston built an amplifier with no holds barred, from scratch, using medical grade parts.
John W. Russell and his sons Chris, Brian and John D., decided to further explore the field of audio amplification, and the new audio company was born. Since that time, Bryston developed an impressive portfolio of analog and digital components, with hand-built quality, superb performance and dependability for home, professional and commercial applications. James Tanner, who joined Bryston in 1976, has a passion for the brand and shares an unrelenting drive to deliver the high-performance audio experience sought after by Bryston customers.
Starting out as a personal project in partnership with Andrew Welker and Ian Colquhoun of Axiom Audio, Bryston loudspeakers were originally intended for James Tanner' personal use as reference loudspeakers for evaluating Bryston electronics. After almost two years of various iterations they hit upon a satisfactory design, and the Bryston line of loudspeakers was born.
Colquhoun Audio Laboratories is the company that supplies loudspeaker designs to both Axiom Audio and Bryston. Ian Colquhoun worked at the National Research Council lab in Ottawa, Canada, under the direction of Dr. Floyd Toole. Bryston has supplied electronics for new generation active loudspeaker designs sold by both brands.
In partnership with Colquhoun Audio, James Tanner is now intending to strengthen relationships with the dealer community. Among other initiatives since becoming Bryston's CEO, Tanner expanded its web support and order processing for dealers, expanded the sales and support teams, and expanded and modernized R&D and manufacturing.
Azione Unlimited is a fast-growing consumer electronics buying group comprised of leading custom integrators and preeminent manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada. As Azione's President and founder Richard Glikes explains, “Bryston beautifully completes the Azione vendor mix by adding an impressive lineup of world-renowned audio electronics, including their outstanding 20-year warranty on amplifiers and preamplifiers. We are delighted to partner with such an august brand and look forward to working with their team as we integrate Bryston into the Azione family.”
The agreement will allow Bryston to expand its presence in the growing home cinema and custom installed multi-zone entertainment systems market. “The Bryston team is excited to work with top integration firms within the Azione community,” says Dave Kakenmaster, Bryston Director of Sales, US. “We are committed to providing the training and fine support services to go along with our legendary music and home theater systems."
Bryston products are currently sold through over 150 residential and commercial A/V dealers in North America and 60 countries worldwide.
“There are very few high-performance audio brands that offer the 40-plus year legacy of best- in-class products and award-winning services that Bryston does — and we are committed to providing our worldwide network of dealers with the tools they need to be even more successful,” Tanner explains. “I am very excited about the next generation of Bryston products. We have several stellar designs currently in development.”
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