Bryston BDA-3 Announced!

MATAMBOY said:
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.
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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
 
Alpinist said:
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
Click to expand...
;)
 
Re: Bryston BDA-3 Too bad no multichannel capabilities

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.
 
Re: Bryston BDA-3 Too bad no multichannel capabilities

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.
 
Re: Bryston BDA-3 Too bad no multichannel capabilities

BlueFox said:
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.
Click to expand...

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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
rszk said:
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?
Click to expand...

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
 
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.:audiophile:
 
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....
 
jahjahlove said:
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....
Click to expand...

HI

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

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

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.
 
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