I have used BRU, but it was a long time ago ...like a couple years, I think. That one came w/Caldera Open Linux. I do know that the version I used had no speed tweaks. I backed up to disk, burned to CDs. The 2+/- GB of data I backed up on that particular box took about 1.5 hours, I think. It is a lengthy process no matter what one uses, but lately I have taken to using DAR and like the fact that it'll back up quite rapidly the 5+GB I now have. I have never timed it but know it happens more quickly than you have indicated.
I take it DAR backs up to another hard disk in the system. Correct me if im wrong. That would be good for fast backups an quick restore but hard to take the backsup off site in case of fire. I do a complete backup of the samba share across the network to a windows machine on a hard drive in the system just for that purpose an its quick fast at about 2 hours to backup the 11 gigs an compare them. I need the tape backup for removing the night before's backup off site, aka taking it home with me. Then if the building burns down You have your data off away from the fire an in a safe place. I just copied the 11 gigs off to my test bench machine an fixing to see how long it takes to backup that 11 gigs of stuff with bru now. jack