Bryston BDA-2 review in The Absolute Sound

MDP

MDP

Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
4,332
Location
Lake Country, Georgia
Just finished reading a great review of the BDA-2. They mentioned that when it was paired with the BDP-1, it was absolutely amazing. I love Digital Streamers and was wondering how the BDP-1 is used. Having a Linn DS,I was wondering if the Bryston can be controlled from an ipad app,like my Linn ?
Also, will the Bryston accept flac files from a NAS ??
 
Thanks James, I guess what I'm trying to ask is does it set up the same as my Linn ?? Because I'm always interested in an alternative to what I already have !
 
Does this have its own software or do you use JRiver or some other DLNA service?
 
Hi Folks,

Yes it hooks up the same as the Linn in that the ethernet puts the BDP on the network and allows for control using a number of diferent devices such as iPad, iTouch, iPhone, Computer etc.

The BDP-2 also allows you to have an internal hardrive installed or you can attach external USB 2.5 inch or thumb drives as well.


james
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BDA-2 DAC– Customer Feedback

April 2013

Bryston BDA2 DAC

“Over the last couple of years I have upgraded all my cables and power to build a solid foundation for my gear. Each cable upgrade allowed the gear to reach its potential. Now that the foundation is solid it is time to start upgrading the gear. My first upgrade is going from Bryston's BDA1 DAC to the BDA2. This was just released a few months ago, and is getting good reviews all over. While I had no complaints about the BDA1, I thought I would try the BDA2, and send it back if it was not much better.

Well, as soon as I turned it on I realized it is a keeper. The music just seemed to come from nowhere since it is so quiet. There is no digital edge on the music now. You do not even realize it is there until it is gone. That part is amazing. Notes are so clean you can isolate them in the soundstage, and violin string decay into blackness. All CD files, old rock and new jazz, sound so much better. There is much better channel separation with the soundstage much more defined from left to right.

I suspect one reason why this sounds so good is because I am using the Bryston BDP1 digital file player as a source. The interconnect is a Shunyata Ztron Python AES digital, and both the DAC and the source have Shunyata Ztron Cobra power cord. I know some of you think CD players are great, but this pair easily kicks CD player butt. There is no contest. The drawback to this is now I have to put my BDA1 into the HT for when I use it for two channel. That means I have to buy another power cord and a pair of analog ICs. Oh well, I guess that is why I work.

I cannot recommend this combination highly enough. If you are on the fence about digital, or want an upgrade, I say get this DAC and file player. I have been a Shunyata fanboy for a while now because their cables work. Now I am a Bryston fanboy. I just might upgrade to their 7B SST mono amps now.”

BlueFox
 
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BDA-2 DAC - Customer Feedback

Hi James;

Wow, I mean WOW, what a DAC!

For the last 3 ½ years I’ve been very happy with the BDA-1, but now that I’ve heard the BDA-2, for me there’s no going back. When I set out to listen to the BDA-2, I thought I’d have to do a lot of switching back and forth to discern the differences, but it was obvious as soon as music started to play. Depth, texture, cymbal decay, 3D soundstaging, they’re all there in spades with the BDA-2. All the detail, PRAT, and sense of live musical performance is still there as it is with the BDA-1, but now there’s more space around each instrument so that the aforementioned “texture” comes through.

Also, subtle dynamic shadings are easier to appreciate with the BDA-2 over the BDA-1, so that the music has more varied emotional impact. If I had to sum it up, I’d say it’s an incredibly natural sounding dac, as “real” as any tube/analog rig I’ve ever heard. I think the BDA-2 and Magnepan ribbon tweeters are a match made in heaven. As much as I love my maggies (3.6), I’ll admit they do start to compress at higher volumes.

Someday I hope to hear the Model T’s.

Thanks so much.....very happy customer.

Regards,
Daniel Lee
 
James Tanner - Bryston said:
MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BDA-2 DAC– Customer Feedback

April 2013

Bryston BDA2 DAC

“Over the last couple of years I have upgraded all my cables and power to build a solid foundation for my gear. Each cable upgrade allowed the gear to reach its potential. Now that the foundation is solid it is time to start upgrading the gear. My first upgrade is going from Bryston's BDA1 DAC to the BDA2. This was just released a few months ago, and is getting good reviews all over. While I had no complaints about the BDA1, I thought I would try the BDA2, and send it back if it was not much better.

Well, as soon as I turned it on I realized it is a keeper. The music just seemed to come from nowhere since it is so quiet. There is no digital edge on the music now. You do not even realize it is there until it is gone. That part is amazing. Notes are so clean you can isolate them in the soundstage, and violin string decay into blackness. All CD files, old rock and new jazz, sound so much better. There is much better channel separation with the soundstage much more defined from left to right.

I suspect one reason why this sounds so good is because I am using the Bryston BDP1 digital file player as a source. The interconnect is a Shunyata Ztron Python AES digital, and both the DAC and the source have Shunyata Ztron Cobra power cord. I know some of you think CD players are great, but this pair easily kicks CD player butt. There is no contest. The drawback to this is now I have to put my BDA1 into the HT for when I use it for two channel. That means I have to buy another power cord and a pair of analog ICs. Oh well, I guess that is why I work.

I cannot recommend this combination highly enough. If you are on the fence about digital, or want an upgrade, I say get this DAC and file player. I have been a Shunyata fanboy for a while now because their cables work. Now I am a Bryston fanboy. I just might upgrade to their 7B SST mono amps now.”

BlueFox
Click to expand...

I was going to make a post about how much I love my BDA2, and I see that I already did. :woot:

I just want to say I agree with everything I said on another forum.
 
Very cool Bud. James is on top of the reviews. I love to see his participation. Bryston is truly hands on.

BlueFox said:
I was going to make a post about how much I love my BDA2, and I see that I already did. :woot:

I just want to say I agree with everything I said on another forum.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Folks,

On the weekend I was experimenting and just wanted to let customers know if they are using the MAC program AUDIRVANA software the INTEGER mode is available on the BDA-2 USB input.

james
 
James I commented how much I like the BDA-2 already to you; it's a definite winner. Very clean DAC.

I am curious about the BDP-2 now. The main thing turning me off is the recommendation on using the mpod app to control the BDA-2. Not sure you're aware, but this app really stinks for iPad users. Is there anything as good as JRiver out there in terms of apps that will control the BDP-2?

Bryan
 
radioactive said:
James I commented how much I like the BDA-2 already to you; it's a definite winner. Very clean DAC.

I am curious about the BDP-2 now. The main thing turning me off is the recommendation on using the mpod app to control the BDA-2. Not sure you're aware, but this app really stinks for iPad users. Is there anything as good as JRiver out there in terms of apps that will control the BDP-2?

Bryan
Click to expand...

Hi Bryan

We have our own App but I am surprised at your comment because I use MPAD and MPOD on my IPAD and they are excellent with the BDP?

James
 
James, I did not know Bryston has their own app. Ive been looking in the App Store for anything Bryston and cannot find your App. How do I get it? A big part of playback is the app to me. If the app crashes a lot or is not generally useful, I tend to look elsewhere. I would like to take a look at it before I decide to get the BDP-2.

As for Mpad, its just bare bones functionality. Jremote on the other hand is my Gold standard. Mpad freezes a lot and periodically crashes also.

Ive also tried Songbook and Plugplayer and found them a mixed bag.

Youve got me excited about the BDA-2 though. If playback turns out great, Ill go buy one instantly.


Bryan

James Tanner - Bryston said:
Hi Bryan

We have our own App but I am surprised at your comment because I use MPAD and MPOD on my IPAD and they are excellent with the BDP?

James
Click to expand...
 
The biggest issue I have with mpod on the iPhone and iPad is that it crashes all the time if you either switch between apps, or, with mpad, close and reopen the cover on the iPad. If you leave the iPhone set to never turn off the display, and never switch to another app it generally is okay.

Another big issue with mpod is that if you have a playlist with a lot (hundreds, thousands) of songs the display gets confused if it is on random play. That is it will switch to the next song but not display the current song.

However, I rarely use mpad since it uses a white background and I prefer the black background of mpod.
 
Hi Folks,

I should not have used the term APP - we have a 'web' based app built into the BDP - so it allows you to manage your music files, set up playlists etc. It is a basic app and not as sophisticated as JRiver - Media Monkey etc. Those are PC based apps and can not be used with the Linux operating system in the BDP.

I honestly think if the APP interface is critical for you the BDP is not the best product for you. It is really targeted to those looking for a dedicated high resolution music playing system over maximum flexibility. We are continually improving our web app based on customer feedback but I do not want to mislead you.

That being said we have literally hundreds of customers using MPOD and MPAD so I am a bit at a loss there to explain the issues you are having? i am wondering if it is a network issue?

james
 
Last edited:
Personally, I can live with the mpod and mpod bugs since I love my BDP1 and BDA2 combination. I have reported the bugs to the developer, but since this is more of a hobby project versus a business he isn't in a rush to fix.

Editorially speaking, while it is nice to have great hardware, the user interface does play a role in customer satisfaction. Human nature being what it is, people will tend to remember the negative comments about the UI over the positive comments of the product.

On weekends when the system is on continuously, I keep my iPhone plugged in, and display turned on, to allow mPod to run continuously. As long as the OS does not switch apps, mPod does not crash. However, it still gets confused as to displaying the current track when on random play.
 
@James - No offense, but it doesn't sound like you use mpad/mpod very much. They're the most frustrating apps I've ever used. They crash all the time, and don't deal with large libraries (or playlists) very well at all. The fact that the BDP-2 is running on Linux is great (ala vortexbox, on modified Fedora) -- this makes the BDP-2 very stable. It's just frustrating that there is no mpd (linux mpd) remote app worth a crap (analogous to JRemote). I tried the vortexbox/mpd/mpad/mpod combo and quickly decided that I didn't care for the interface.

I have no doubt the BDP-2 sounds awesome. But in the digital age, there's the interface also and a lot of people are forgetting about that thinking they can make the equivalent of a CD Player that does networking and be done with it. I can tell you this, if you get the interface worked out (and let everyone know via good marketing) your sales will more than double. Just a suggestion, but why not contact the developers for JRemote and see if they can make an interface for mpd with some sponsorship?

I also want to finish on a positive thought -- I really think the BDA-2 is a lovely DAC. Very clean, natural sounding. You just knocked it out of the park. You also priced it highly competitively. Thank you for bringing good sound to my home James.

Bryan




James Tanner - Bryston said:
Hi Folks,

I should not have used the term APP - we have a 'web' based app built into the BDP - so it allows you to manage your music files, set up playlists etc. It is a basic app and not as sophisticated as JRiver - Media Monkey etc. Those are PC based apps and can not be used with the Linux operating system in the BDP.

I honestly think if the APP interface is critical for you the BDP is not the best product for you. It is really targeted to those looking for a dedicated high resolution music playing system over maximum flexibility. We are continually improving our web app based on customer feedback but I do not want to mislead you.

That being said we have literally hundreds of customers using MPOD and MPAD so I am a bit at a loss there to explain the issues you are having? i am wondering if it is a network issue?

james
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top