Bryston BDA-3 Announced!

**Mike** · October 28, 2014, 01:18 PM

BIG THANKS TO MARK JONES of AUDIO BY MARK JONES in TORONTO for sharing this!!

Bryston’s new BDA-3 is their highest resolution D-to-A yet. A brand new decoding chipset can decode up to 384kHz / 32 bit PCM music and up to DSDx4 natively. Practically all digital source components can be connected. The new BDA-3 features 10 inputs including 4 HDMI, 2 Asynchronous USB, and S/PDIF over BNC, RCA, or Toslink optical inputs.

DSD & PCM

High resolution music downloads have smashed through the previous resolution limit of 192kHz/24 bit. Each format is processed in it’s native resolution preserving absolute bit-perfect signals all the way to our proprietary analog output section. Their custom re-clocking circuit engages all incoming PCM signals and strips off the embedded clock. They replace that information with our ultra high precision clock reducing jitter to nearly immeasurable levels.

Analog Excellence

Bryston’s analog section is completely free of integrated circuits (ICs) that limit the bandwidth and dynamic range of so many other DACs. Their proprietary analog circuits draw on decades of expertise building the world’s finest line level electronics and amplifiers.

An unprecedented degree of versatility is designed into the BDA-3. Not only are USB and HDMI available interfaces for extremely high data rate music that audiophiles demand, but they ensure compatibility with high performance computer based music playback systems and combination stereo and home theater systems. Movie enthusiasts without the appropriate space to dedicate to multi-channel home theater can connect Blu-Ray and DVD systems to the BDA-3 for high quality 2-channel PCM playback.

SACD collectors have a new upgrade path. The built-in decoders in most universal disc players leave room for improvement. Those equipped with HDMI outputs find never before heard detail, space and resolution when connected to the Bryston BDA-3.

BIG THANKS TO MARK JONES of AUDIO BY MARK JONES in TORONTO for sharing this!!

**Mike** · October 28, 2014, 01:19 PM

Available January 2015.

**cmalak** · October 28, 2014, 01:46 PM

I am confused about one thing. According to this. the BDA-3 will be able to decode DSD outputted from an SACD player via the HDMI connection but I thought SACD was a closed format, meaning you could not pass through the DSD data from a disc source to a DAC, unless of course you are using an SACD transport and DAC from the same manufacturer. So for example will one be able to use an Oppo CD/SACD player and output DSD from an SACD disc to the BDA-3 via the HDMI connection and if so, is it the DSD layer that is being transferred to the DAC or is their a DSD to PCM conversion that happens first? If yes, this would be the first DAC that I have seen that can do this and I am still confused about how they get around the closed-end format of SACD via the use of the HDMI connection? And why have we not seen this before with a lot of other DSD DACs?

I am confused

James...are you out there? Can you help me understand?

Thanks

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by cmalak

I am confused about one thing. According to this. the BDA-3 will be able to decode DSD outputted from an SACD player via the HDMI connection but I thought SACD was a closed format, meaning you could not pass through the DSD data from a disc source to a DAC, unless of course you are using an SACD transport and DAC from the same manufacturer. So for example will one be able to use an Oppo CD/SACD player and output DSD from an SACD disc to the BDA-3 via the HDMI connection and if so, is it the DSD layer that is being transferred to the DAC or is their a DSD to PCM conversion that happens first? If yes, this would be the first DAC that I have seen that can do this and I am still confused about how they get around the closed-end format of SACD via the use of the HDMI connection? And why have we not seen this before with a lot of other DSD DACs?

I am confused

James...are you out there? Can you help me understand?

Thanks

Will ask engineering.

james

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 02:08 PM

Hi James,

Not every SACD player will output the SACD layer to the HDMI, OPPO being one the few that will.
So when using a player, capable of outputting SACD, the BDA3 will be able to decode this.

Dan

**CPP** · October 28, 2014, 02:15 PM

James and the price will be ? $$$$

is this unit going to output native DSD ?

Can ya tell us what DAC chips reside inside ?

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 02:19 PM

$3195 list

**cmalak** · October 28, 2014, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

Hi James,

Not every SACD player will output the SACD layer to the HDMI, OPPO being one the few that will.
So when using a player, capable of outputting SACD, the BDA3 will be able to decode this.

Dan

Thx for the response James.

**MATAMBOY** · October 28, 2014, 03:12 PM

Hello,

Bryston thinks of making an update of the BDA-2 for the reading native of the DSD ?

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by MATAMBOY

Hello,

Bryston thinks of making an update of the BDA-2 for the reading native of the DSD ?

Hi

Sorry - We can not do that as the DAC chips required are just now coming to the market.

james

**MATAMBOY** · October 28, 2014, 06:18 PM

The dac chip BDA-2 is a AK4399? She can read the native DSD?

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by MATAMBOY

The dac chip BDA-2 is a AK4399? She can read the native DSD?

Hi

Engineering tells me it needs many more changes than just the chip - the sample rate converter has to be bypassed etc. to allow for DSD and that compromises PCM performance. So it is a circuit redesign rather than just a chip issue.

james

Yes the BDP2 can already send DSD to a DSD DAC through the USB output.

james

**Ritmo** · October 28, 2014, 08:05 PM

Looks like a cool product James.

Will the BDP-2 be able to send DSD to the BDA-3?

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2014, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Looks like a cool product James.

Will the BDP-2 be able to send DSD to the BDA-3?

Yes the BDP2 can already send DSD to a DSD DAC through the USB output.

james

**MATAMBOY** · October 28, 2014, 10:12 PM

I bought my dac BDA-2 in late 2013. I asked if you thought Bryston evolve to DSD. You were not convinced by the DSD and now will release the Bryston BDA-3 can read the DSD.
I am very disappointed.

**Mark Jones** · October 28, 2014, 11:13 PM

The problem with DSD is that most DAC's that have been previously released either don't do it properly or compromise PCM performance to do it right.

A year ago doing both formats right may have not been possible (at least for Bryston). You bought what Bryston felt was best they could do at that time. and the BDA-2 is a damn good DAC at any price.

The BDA-3 does not make your BDA-2 all of a sudden not sound good. I think we all have to accept that the state of the art is always improving. (especially digital)

After everything I have said, I'm sorry you are disappointed and I do understand why you feel the way you do. Always tough times when a product you have recently purchased get's upgraded.

On a positive, what happens may times is the newer better product is actually less money than the unit has replaced. (look at the video industry) At least the BDA-3 is 33% more $$$. This will help to hold the value of BDA-2's on the used market especially for those that have no interest in dealing with yet another new format, DSD.

**BruceLet** · October 29, 2014, 01:31 AM

Thanks for posting this. I'm looking forward to hearing one.

**BlueFox** · October 29, 2014, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by MATAMBOY

I bought my dac BDA-2 in late 2013. I asked if you thought Bryston evolve to DSD. You were not convinced by the DSD and now will release the Bryston BDA-3 can read the DSD.
I am very disappointed.

That at was a year ago. Just be glad you didn't buy it last week. While at this point DSD doesn't concern me, it is nice that now you can play it with a BDP/BDA3 combination. I am more interested in how much better it sounds over the BDA-2. If DSD is the main attraction then, while nice, I can live without. I want a Berkeley Reference DAC killer.

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 29, 2014, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by MATAMBOY

I bought my dac BDA-2 in late 2013. I asked if you thought Bryston evolve to DSD. You were not convinced by the DSD and now will release the Bryston BDA-3 can read the DSD.
I am very disappointed.

Hi Mat

Personally I would not have gone this way if the market had not forced us to. Its one of the reasons I decided to add HDMI - at least it gives our customers a new feature over a straight DSD decoder.

james

**rszk** · October 30, 2014, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

That at was a year ago. Just be glad you didn't buy it last week. While at this point DSD doesn't concern me, it is nice that now you can play it with a BDP/BDA3 combination. I am more interested in how much better it sounds over the BDA-2. If DSD is the main attraction then, while nice, I can live without. I want a Berkeley Reference DAC killer.

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

Hi Mat

Personally I would not have gone this way if the market had not forced us to. Its one of the reasons I decided to add HDMI - at least it gives our customers a new feature over a straight DSD decoder.

james

Working in the IT industry, rate of change and growth is never ending. If a business doesn't adapt or advance, it will not be a player. In this case, I purchased both my BDP-2 and BDA-2 this summer. I had a feeling that the advancement to DSD was imminent given marketing and changes in the digital market for hi-end music reproduction. I think one can keep relevant with buying a dedicated DSD DAC and keep the BDA-2 or trade in/sell the BDA-2 for a BDA-3. I'm glad that Bryston is making continued advancements even if my wallet will be lighter in the end. I can't wait to see if the new BDA-3 can outperform the BDA-2 in redbook FLAC and Hi-Res FLAC, where most of my library lies.

**Alpinist** · October 31, 2014, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by MATAMBOY

I bought my dac BDA-2 in late 2013. I asked if you thought Bryston evolve to DSD. You were not convinced by the DSD and now will release the Bryston BDA-3 can read the DSD.
I am very disappointed.

I wouldn't fret too much over this. I've compared several SACDs (DSD format) to their 192/24 PCM file counterparts and I greatly preferred the 192/24 PCM files in every case. It was not even close. Many DSD downloads are also available in high res. PCM. I would just stick with high res. PCM.

Best,
Ken

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 31, 2014, 06:26 AM

IMG_0175.jpg IMG_0169.jpg IMG_0170.jpg IMG_0171.jpg IMG_0173.jpg IMG_0174.jpg

**Audio 1** · October 31, 2014, 08:35 AM

James the room looks great!
Wish I were there to experience all of it.

**joeinid** · October 31, 2014, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the forum Buddy! Thank you for joining.

**Audio 1** · October 31, 2014, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Welcome to the forum Buddy! Thank you for joining.

Thank you Joe!
I am looking forward to the fun

**joeinid** · October 31, 2014, 11:59 AM

We've missed you. I'm glad you are here.

**MATAMBOY** · October 31, 2014, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

I wouldn't fret too much over this. I've compared several SACDs (DSD format) to their 192/24 PCM file counterparts and I greatly preferred the 192/24 PCM files in every case. It was not even close. Many DSD downloads are also available in high res. PCM. I would just stick with high res. PCM.

Best,
Ken

**sdolezalek** · November 1, 2014, 02:03 PM

Although I love the fact that Bryston has added the full range of DSD functionality, I wish this unit had gone one step further to include multichannel DSD capabilities along the lines of what Exasound has done with their e-28 but with the very important addition of the HDMI input/processing that the BDA-3 includes. Right now, the BDA-3 can act as an improved DAC for even high-end SACD players that have an HDMI output (or AES/EBU digital out) but only for the stereo layer. As far as I know, there really isn't a product that allows full multichannel sound to be pulled from an SACD and fed into a multichannel system (except of course a standard SACD player). Maybe the next version of the brilliant Bryston SP-3 will incorporate the DSD capabilities of the BDA-3 but in multichannel format? I realize that the biggest hindrance to this may be the ridiculous licensing fees that HDMI imposes on multichannel decoding, particularly for smaller high-end manufacturers, but there seems to more and more downloadable multichannel DSD material available and at least to me it sounds stunning.

**BlueFox** · November 1, 2014, 03:53 PM

I would guess with multi-channel DSD the DAC would need 7 analog output stages, along with 7 XLR and RCA outputs. That would probably jack up the price considerably, and not be used by a large segment of the market.

Then again, would it be possible to split the file into a multi-channel format and send it over HDMI to an SP3, or other AVR? If so then that function belongs in the BDP-2, which would need to add an HDMI output circuit.

**sdolezalek** · November 1, 2014, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I would guess with multi-channel DSD the DAC would need 7 analog output stages, along with 7 XLR and RCA outputs. That would probably jack up the price considerably, and not be used by a large segment of the market.

Then again, would it be possible to split the file into a multi-channel format and send it over HDMI to an SP3, or other AVR? If so then that function belongs in the BDP-2, which would need to add an HDMI output circuit.

Take a look at the Exasound e-28 (by another Ontario, Canada company). It uses the ES9018 Sabre32 reference DAC chip and is available with either 7 mini-XLR or RCA outputs. But its input is USB or SPDIF only (no HDMI) and handles all of the same PCM and DSD resolutions as the BDA-3. It is priced in the $3,000-$4,000 range. That is why I was speculating whether was a future new product path (either for the SP-3 or the BDA-3 that would add DSD to the SP-3 or surround capabilities to the BDA-3).

**Firepoint** · November 2, 2014, 12:59 AM

Oh no. I just bought a BDA2. Worst timing ever.

**rszk** · December 19, 2014, 01:22 PM

With the impending release of the BDA-3, is there any first hand knowledge of sound quality of the new DAC compared to the BDA-2 when using Redbook CD, FLAC, or Hi-Res? I'm just wondering if I should trade my unit in for it or not.

**James Tanner - Bryston** · December 19, 2014, 01:37 PM

Hi Rod

The only issue that would affect the PCM playback would be the fact that we are using a different version of the AKM DAC which allows DSD playback and the BDA3 will have HDMI as well. I would not think the BDA3 will perform much differently with PCM Flac, AIFF etc. as compared to the BDA-2 - the 2 DAC's certainly measure within a hairs breath of each other on our brand new Audio Precision, APx-555.

**rszk** · December 19, 2014, 01:39 PM

Thanks James for the prompt response. Will there be another update coming for the BDA-2 to coincide with the release of the BDA-3?

**James Tanner - Bryston** · December 19, 2014, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by rszk

Thanks James for the prompt response. Will there be another update coming for the BDA-2 to coincide with the release of the BDA-3?

Hi Rod,

No the only thing that will change in the BDA2 going forward is software, The BDA2 is staying in the line because if DSD or HDMI is not required then there is no advantage to spending the extra money on the BDA3.

james

**rszk** · December 19, 2014, 07:11 PM

Thanks James, I think I will save my money on purchasing the BDA-3 as I will stick with Redbook rips into FLAC and Hi-Res FLAC downloads on my BDA-2. Now, what should my money go to in my stereo now... hmm.

**jahjahlove** · March 17, 2015, 12:51 PM

Hi,
another question is: will the BDA 3 be capable of taking DTS and Dolby Digital, and convert them into stereo ? (as described, fo the one who do not have the space for 6 speakers in their living room... it is what I understand but confirmation would be nice...
Cause if DSD is not touching every one, being able to unite Hifi and Cinema Sound (TV), albeit not surround, could touch many more people....

**joeinid** · March 17, 2015, 04:43 PM

Welcome to the forum jahjahlove!

**James Tanner - Bryston** · March 18, 2015, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by jahjahlove

Hi,
another question is: will the BDA 3 be capable of taking DTS and Dolby Digital, and convert them into stereo ? (as described, fo the one who do not have the space for 6 speakers in their living room... it is what I understand but confirmation would be nice...
Cause if DSD is not touching every one, being able to unite Hifi and Cinema Sound (TV), albeit not surround, could touch many more people....

HI

The BDA3 can not handle DTS and Dolby, however, the EDID will force the source, Blu-Ray, Cable etc, to output stereo PCM.

**jahjahlove** · March 18, 2015, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

HI

The BDA3 can not handle DTS and Dolby, however, the EDID will force the source, Blu-Ray, Cable etc, to output stereo PCM.

Thanks a lot for answers... I guess I will have... not to wait and buy a BDA 2 right now.
Shame though ! cause I would have liked the bryston, instead of my "Tv box" to do the process.
One could say that video and audio could/should be separated.... yes and no....

No because SACD are often surround recordings calling for more than two speakers, no because there is 5.1 music live recordings like stevie wonder "at last" concert) and lastly, many of us would like a good DAC cable of doing very well on music, but also transforming 5.1 or more (video) format into 2.0 what any 300 dollars AV receiver is doing (without the good for music bit)....

still I am "leaving" mcintosh for Bryston.

**jahjahlove** · March 18, 2015, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the welcoming... I did not introduce myself sorry but thought it was not the place....

**socfan12** · March 18, 2015, 09:41 PM

Welcome to AS, jahjahlove!

**James Tanner - Bryston** · July 12, 2015, 01:15 PM

Hi Folks,

Have the prototype of the BDA-3 at home for a workout this weekend. We are getting closer !

2015-07-12 13.15.37.jpg

james

**joeinid** · July 12, 2015, 01:32 PM

Looks like a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

Hi Folks,

Have the prototype of the BDA-3 at home for a workout this weekend. We are getting closer !

2015-07-12 13.15.37.jpg

james

**Ritmo** · July 12, 2015, 02:08 PM

Thx for the update James. I think on a day like today, I would be in the pool with a nice beverage...just saying!

**James Tanner - Bryston** · July 22, 2015, 01:21 PM

Hi Folks,

Got the HDMI input on the BDA-3 Prototype DAC playing SACD (without PCM conversion) from our OPPO player.

BDA3_HDMI_DSD.jpg

**Mark Jones** · July 22, 2015, 01:49 PM

Nice!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**James Tanner - Bryston** · August 28, 2015, 12:46 PM

http://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/news...60d3dfb&mc_eid

**James Tanner - Bryston** · October 28, 2015, 07:26 AM

Hi Folks,

First BDA-3 manufactured!

At home for a final test run and will have on demo at this weekends audio show in Toronto.

2015-10-28 07.24.09.jpg

2015-10-28 07.24.49.jpg

2015-10-27 20.52.10.jpg

james

**Mark Jones** · October 28, 2015, 07:42 AM

I have a feeling this DAC is going to be a crazy good product at any price. At $3500 or whatever it is, watch out.... ;-)

I love that it has 2 USB inputs and the HDMI inputs allow DSD from an Oppo 105.

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