ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig) (11/03/85)
"Subjectively, Clark found the Bryston's sound cool and analytic. Later, he wondered if his sonic perceptions might be biased by visual reactions to the 4B's styling. Other than the friendly logo silk-screened on the front panel, he found the black, metallic 4B businesslike and rather featureless. Luckily, he was able to test this potential reviewing bias with a pair of Tandberg 3009A mono amplifiers. These amps have sexy Scandinavian styling (rosewood side panels) and easy, sparkling sound to match. After living with the Bryston and Tandberg amplifiers for more than two months, Clark made 16 identification attempts over a 1-1/2 hour listening session, and was correct in 12 out of 16 tries, which we consider significant. Clark tried to replicate this feat, but achieved only seven correct identifications out of 16 trials during his second attempt. Hooked up for a level-matched, double-blind comparison, Clark did not believe he couls tell which amplifier was playing." -- from a review of the Bryston 4B amplifier, Audio Magazine, November 1985, page 88.