Bryston 9B³

Third generation of a line that began in the 1990s, the 9B3 carries over the modular architecture that made its predecessors successful while integrating the advances of the Cubed series. Each channel has its own power supply and toroidal transformer, a rare configuration in this category of devices. With 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and a fully passive design, this Canadian amplifier targets the most demanding home cinema and multiroom installations.

A genuinely monoblock architecture

The term “multichannel” often suggests compromises: shared power supplies, interactions between channels under heavy load, degraded performance when several channels are used simultaneously. The 9B3 does the exact opposite by literally stacking several mono amplifiers in the same chassis. Each power module operates completely independently, with its own toroidal transformer and its own power rails.

This electrical independence translates concretely into remarkable operating stability. Whether one channel is delivering full power into a difficult load while another remains idle, or all five channels are driven hard during an action scene, behavior remains predictable and linear. The signal-to-noise ratio reaches -110 dB in balanced connection, with total harmonic distortion below 0.005% across the entire audible band at rated power.

The Salomie circuit: a redesigned input stage

The Cubed series stands out from previous generations through the integration of the Salomie circuit, developed jointly by Bryston and engineer Ioan Alexandru Salomie. This patented input buffer acts on the first stages of amplification to reduce distortion before it can be multiplied by subsequent gain stages.

The principle is based on active filtering of the distortion components present in the signal, rather than on their correction after the fact by negative feedback. The result is measurable in the lab (input stage distortion below one thousandth of a percent) and audible in listening tests, with greater clarity in the midrange and better separation of sound layers. This circuit also improves rejection of RF interference and power-line anomalies, while allowing standby consumption below 500 mW.

Scalability and possible configurations

The 9B3 can be ordered in 4- or 5-channel versions depending on installation needs. This modularity goes further than a simple catalog option: the power modules are designed to be added or removed later. A 5.1 home theater system can thus evolve toward an Atmos or Auro‑3D configuration without completely replacing the amplification.

The consumer version (C‑Series) is available with a 43.2 cm or 48.3 cm front panel, the latter including front handles. For professional installations or equipment racks, the PRO version offers a 19-inch rack-compatible front panel and level adjustment potentiometers on the rear panel, channel by channel.

Network control and home automation integration

Every 9B3 includes a network interface accessible via any web browser. This dedicated page lets you monitor operating temperature, receive alerts in case of overload or clipping, update the firmware, or individually switch off certain channels. Power on and off can also be controlled remotely.

Integration into home automation systems is handled via TCP/IP, RS‑232, or DC trigger. For multi‑zone installations, several units can be controlled in a coordinated way from a centralized controller or simply from a smartphone connected to the local network.

Construction and cooling

The machined and then anodized aluminum chassis provides both mechanical rigidity and heat dissipation. Cooling is entirely passive, with no fans at all: a choice that guarantees silent operation but requires a substantial size. Weighing in at nearly 30 kg and with a depth of 44.5 cm (48.3 cm with handles), the 9B3 requires adequate ventilation space and a solid support.

The SoftStart progressive power‑up avoids current inrushes that might trip electrical protection devices, a welcome detail in setups combining several high‑power amplifiers. The rear panel offers, for each channel, unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR inputs, with switchable gain between 23 dB and 29 dB to adapt to the output levels of preamplifiers.

Technical specifications

Power and performance

• Modular architecture: 3, 4, or 5 channels
• Output power per channel
  • 200 W into 8 Ω
  • 300 W into 4 Ω
• Switchable gain: 23 dB, 29 dB
• Excellent power handling with no interaction between channels
• Quiet, stable operation, even under sustained load
• Ultra-low standby consumption: < 500 mW

Connectivity and inputs

• Unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR inputs
• Input impedance
  • Unbalanced: 30 kΩ
  • Balanced: 30 kΩ+ / 6 kΩ–
• DC trigger

Response and distortion

• Frequency response: < 1 Hz – 100 kHz (–3 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion + noise: < 0.005% (20 Hz – 20 kHz at rated power, 8 Ω)
• Signal-to-noise ratio
  • RCA: < –108 dB
  • XLR: –110 dB

Architecture and design

• Each channel completely independent with dedicated power supply and transformer
• Patented Salomie circuit (Cubed series)
• 100% passive, fanless cooling
• Machined, anodized aluminum chassis
• SoftStart progressive power-up
• Channels can be added or removed later

Control and network integration

• Full network interface for integration into home automation systems and professional installations
• Access via web browser: PC, tablet, smartphone
• Remote power on and power off
• Temperature monitoring
• Overload and clipping alerts
• Firmware update
• Muting of individual channels

Options and configurations

• Available configurations: 3, 4, or 5 channels
• Width 43.2 cm or 48.3 cm
• Non-rackmount version: 48.3 cm with front handles
• PRO 48.3 cm version
  • Rackmount front panel
  • Rear level controls per channel

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × H × D)
  • 43.2 cm or 48.3 cm × 14.7 cm × 44.5 cm or 48.3 cm (with front handles)
• Weight: 29.5 kg