Bully Sound Company - Pure Audio Expression

Concept

Designing audio electronics to be great sounding, true to the source material and interesting to a potential buyer is challenging for any audio engineer. Over the last 30 years plus of listening, certain sound presentations were more pleasing and stood out compared to others. Interpreting what part of the circuit or design topology that causes these differences is the challenge. Size, weight cosmetic look and inevitably cost round out some of the major obstacles in creating a new audio product.

After considering many technologies we have settled on some fundamental design principles that define the sound achieved in a BSC component or system. We continually look for unique ways to use the circuitry we want without compromising on performance or convenience.

Class A Operation:

BSC makes Class A amplifiers and utilizes Class A circuits. Class A components offer many electrical advantages like self-regulation and low distortion resulting in sonic benefits over low bias designs. "Most if not all of my very favorite playback systems in the 80's-90's contained relatively simple but powerful class A amplifiers". "The magic midrange and air surrounding all of the instruments and voices had to be an available characteristic in my new products". Bret D'Agostino

Class A designs are historically recognized as top performers in their respective categories however, Class A amplifiers present some distinct challenges mostly in relation to size, energy consumption, and heat. Because the output circuitry in a class A amplifier is essentially on full power all of the time, the unit is hot to the touch and draws a considerable amount of continuous energy from the wall outlet.

Heat:

In order to minimize the amount of heat, we chose oversized internal heat sinks. The more heat sink area the more heat is dispersed overall, keeping the unit cooler. The unique position of the heatsinks within the chassis centralizes its location effectively creating a heat tunnel that rises upward rather than radiating outward like external heatsink designs. This we have found considerably increases the time it takes to noticeably change room temperature.

Size:

The industrial design of our products is determined by the performance criteria. Knowing the heatsink and power supply area will be large, maximum effort is put into the chassis design itself and the placement of various sub-assemblies. Precision component placement tolerances along with ergonomic circuit layouts allow us to compress to maximum density and reduce the overall size of our units to integrate into most listening environments.

Energy consumption:

Energy usage being of major concern to our future and global community facilitated the addition of a bias level adjustment switch. The bias switch allows "on the fly" reduction of class A bias on the output stage by 50% and eventually approximately 98% or what we call ECO mode. This allows the listener to vary the amount of energy and heat used during a particular listening session without changing the maximum power output capabilities. A handy feature during the hot summer months or when critical listening isn't required.

Linear Power Supplies:

Constant, clean and quiet power is necessary in good audio design. BSC uses oversized linear power supplies to power all of its components. Amplifiers utilize supplies that allow full class A bias at its 8 ohm rated power with enough reserve headroom to still double output power to below 2 ohms. Huge military quality filter and decoupling capacitor banks support these demands. Many stages are regulated and multi-regulated to maintain constant voltages to critical circuitry regardless of operating conditions.

Discrete Complementary circuitry:

Audio circuitry is designed using primarily discrete through hole components configured in very low distortion complementary topologies. The use of through hole components minimizes the number of parts in the signal path and allows greater power handling and heat dissipation resulting in little signal degradation and increased life expectancy.

Environment:

Although not all of our designs are the most efficient in terms of power demand, it is important to us to make greener operating components. All of the components we make draw less than 2 watts of power in standby mode. Other provisions like 12volt triggers or the bias level selector switch enable green options when music isn't being played. All of the BSC products are ROHS compliant. We will continue to investigate ways to conserve energy while maintaining outstanding performance.

Long Life Expectancy:

We design all of our products using the very best parts available. All of the components meet or exceed military standards insuring many years of worry free operation. Components are selected to exceed the standard voltage, current and thermal ratings necessary for the circuits operation. Utilizing through-hole construction where ever possible further increases the safe operating range of the selected devices. Our designs utilize solid state transistors for long term performance stability.

Active protection circuitry is utilized for short circuits, excessive DC voltage or heat. Internal and external fusing between stages is also used. Slo-start turn on circuits are provided to minimize component fatigue.

If the need for service is required, our modular through-hole designs make it easily serviceable without special tooling. Fine audio equipment is an investment and we want your products to be passed on for generations.

Integration:

Bully Sound components utilize many convenience based features like remote control, RC-5, RS-232 control and 12v Triggers. All of our products are built to operate in a very low power standby mode for instant operation. We make an effort to minimize the external dimensions of our products and have them integrate into standard racks and shelving situations. We chose finishes like powder coating and hardcoat anodize to maintain the look and durability for years of daily use. Custom accents are available as a special order options at an additional expense.

Made in USA:

All BSC products are designed and assembled in the USA. We use as many domestic components and suppliers as possible. Each product is hand assembled in small batches in our Connecticut facility. Careful attention to detail is our standard, and all units are fully tested and documented before they arrive in your listening room.