Bryston's James Tanner surprised me by showing me a new direction for Canadian amplifier manufacturer Bryston: it has developed a series of class-D (switching) amplifiers. "You'll notice from the line's hybrid name that we combine the class-D output module with regular linear power supplies, not switching supplies," explained James. "The switching supplies are too noisy."

Prominently displayed on their exhibit was the firm's new D-250Z amplifier, rated at 250W into each of its 8 channels. Such an amplifier can supply a full 7.1 home-theater system, or four stereo zones. Furthermore, each individual stereo zone can be bridged to deliver 800 Watts into 8 ohms.

"We now have an amplifier that supplies 8 channels at the very good price of $5695, much less than our conventional multichannel amplifier reviewed in the pages of your magazine." Notable, however, is that the company's usual 20-year warranty does not apply to the D-250Z, which is only warranteed for 5 years.