Bryston goes Class D for its Hybrid Zone amps

After you're done pulling all the wires for whole-home audio, you probably want some peace of mind that the system will just work with no fuss, like, forever. If your setups are of the high-end variety, Bryston's new Hybrid Zone amplifiers might be just the way to complete the job -- the marque has legendary performance and reliability. Bryston has built its own linear power supply to go along with the Class D amps, so you can be sure the D-130Z and D-250Z aren't just knock-off reference designs, and the per-channel power (90-Watts for the D-130Z, 150-Watts in the D-250Z) can be divvied up a number of ways to suit your needs. Sounds great, but sadly this is some more Bryston gear that's out of our tax bracket -- $4,395 for the D-130Z, $5,695 for the D-250Z -- and these only get a five-year warranty to boot, a far cry from Bryston's standard 20-year promise. Press release after the break.

Peterborough, Ontario August 26th, 2009 -Bryston, LTD has announced that the first two of four new 8-channel zone amplifiers will be shipping to dealers by October 1st, 2009. The Bryston D-Series D-130Z Hybrid and the D-250Z Hybrid have been in development and many dealers have expressed the need for a lightweight, high performance multi-channel amplifier for distributed audio and industrial applications such as bars and restaurants. Bryston uses the term "Hybrid" in reference to the combination of class D amplifier technology along with a Bryston engineered linear power supply design. "This is what our dealers have been asking for-a multi-channel solution built to Bryston standards," said sales VP James Tanner. "Although the D-Series is lightweight, highly energy efficient, and cost-competitive with other multi-channel products, these amplifiers also feature input stages and power supplies designed by Bryston-these are world class audio products," Tanner stated. The Bryston D-Series is a highly reliable amplifier solution with low heat emissions for tight space applications, such as the
equipment racks and utility closets commonly found in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Unlike most competitive industrial amplifiers however, the D-Series carries on Bryston's tradition of sonic excellence and durability.

Product Specifications:

D-130Z Hybrid Features:
• Bryston engineered dual 650 watt linear power supplies
• 8 independent channels at 130 watts each into 4 ohms and 90 watts at 8 ohms.
• 4 stereo zones at 130 Watts per channel into 4 ohms.
• All channels driven 130 watts per channel at 4 ohms.
• Each individual zone bridgeable to 400 watts into 8 ohms
• Level control on each channel
• Each channel can select direct input (RCA), left bus only, right bus only or L+R (mono)
• Stereo bus can be linked to other amplifiers
• Each zone can be muted independently with 12-volt trigger
• 12-volt trigger for amplifier on/off
• Soft-Start circuit to prevent high power in-rush current
• Gold plated 5-way speaker binding posts
• 5 year warranty
• Price $4,395.00 Suggested List US/Canadian
• Dimensions: width 19" X height 4.125" (3.5" without feet) X depth 16" including connectors

D-250Z Hybrid Features:
• Bryston engineered dual 850 watt linear power supplies
• 8 independent channels at 250 watts each into 4 ohms and 150 watts at 8 ohms
• 4 stereo zones at 250 Watts per channel into 4 ohms.
• All channels driven 200 watts per channel at 4 ohms.
• Each individual zone bridgeable to 800 watts into 8 ohms
• Level control on each channel
• Each channel can select direct input (RCA), left bus only, right bus only or L+R (mono)
• Stereo bus can be linked to other amplifiers
• Each zone can be muted independently with 12-volt trigger
• 12-volt trigger for amplifier on/off
• Soft-Start circuit to prevent high power inrush current
• Gold plated 5-way speaker binding posts
• 5 year warranty
• Price $5,695.00 Suggested List US/Canadian
• Dimensions: width 19" X height 4.125" (3.5" without feet) X depth 16" including connectors