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In Reply to: RE: Oppo Universal and Bryston BDA-3 DAC posted by Braxus on June 11, 2016 at 21:26:05
I am surprised how little BDA-3 info *from users* there is. At least in "non-affiliated" forums. I see others around the web have commented on this too, including here (besides me!). Considering it was apparently their best-selling pre-ordered item ever...but I'll guess most of the "type" of people who *pre-order* things like this don't post in audio forums.
I am interested in it, but would like some more info (preferably in English) on the HDMI aspects as this is what sets this DAC apart, for now, as it's quite expensive here, in my terms. i.e. would I be better off with a new mch (HDMI) pre-pro instead? They can cost a lot less, from a mass manufacturer. Mass manufacturers don't do quality USB audio though, yet.
There is one aspect of the BDA-3 that is giving me big pause though: no digital volume control. I would like the option of connecting the DAC directly to the power amp. Since I have so many digital audio sources, that would all go into the same DAC (especially with the HDMI facility), this makes sense to me, no need to use a preamp when I'm not using the phono.
I am sure Bryston is hearing a lot about this aspect. So my "pause" is thinking a "BDA-4" may come sooner rather than later. Just my opinion; I'd really like to hear why this feature was omitted. I know Oppos have their own facility, but there's all the other stuff that doesn't. Joe Cynic here thinks the main reason is they didn't want to cut into their preamp biz, but they'd probably say "reduced audio quality". Heck, I wouldn't mind if they did it in the analog domain, using the same method as in their preamps, I mighty actually prefer that (IDK).
Follow Ups:
Have you considered the PS Audio DirectStream or DirectStream Junior DACs? Both offer a volume control so you can skip the preamp. However, the HDMI implementation is specialized and not typical 'home theater' friendly. I think my next DAC will have a volume control.
No, I haven't really "considered" the PSA offerings, or very much of anything really. I do get the PSA newsletter so am up-to-date on their offerings. Their power regenerator thingies are what I should be buying, if I put my (big) money where my mouth is...Like the OP, I also plan to get the Oppo UHD player, but that's like a year away IIRC. [Unless they load it up with extraneous (to playing DISCS) "crap" I don't care about, like they kind of seem to have been doing lately. That is when I already have three Oppos that already do all the existing commercial disc-based music formats.]
Edits: 06/15/16
One of the guys in our Space Coast Audio Society has a BDA-3 with an Oppo 103. It passes the file from an SACD.
James Tanner of Bryston has posted multiple times on Audio Circle about his dislike for digital volume controls. I guess they could always have a change of heart.
I liked the DAC lots (I owned a BDA-1 at one point but since the BDA-2 did not do DSD I bought a used Meitner just before the BDA-2 was released - I know a reviewer so I asked him).
I've been after them for a few years about doing a top of the line preamp with HT Bypass and I went in another direction (Modwright).
Back in the beginning of 2003, the Canadian Dollar was $0.62 to the USD for a bit. I bought two lightly used Bryston SST amps within that year. Over a period time the value of the Canadian Dollar crept about even to the USD (I believe it is down to about $0.78 now) and their list prices went up and have not retreated with the decline of the Canadian to USD. With quality amps and preamps available from other sources (e.g. Odyssey, AVA, Modwright, etc.), it's not quite the bargain it once was (certainly makes one consider either to the used market for Bryston or other choices).
I agree, the price of Bryston gear has gone up to ridiculous levels over the years IMHO. In their current price class there are so many other viable options. Back in the day, I compared Bryston to Classe and always picked Classe for sonics (just my personal preference). These days both brands are over priced relative to the rest of the market IMHO.
I still have the BDA-1. I compared it directly here with the BDA-2 and found no difference that I could discern. I do not have any proper/good USB sources though, still, and if I did that probably would have been the clincher.
My understanding is that the BDA-3 is somewhat superior to the BDA-1 for the things that they both do, but the 3 does so much more. As much as HDMI "annoyed" me when it was introduced, it is here and not going away soon, and a DAC that supports it would be quite convenient for me. Now I use work-arounds (HDMI audio extracter) and I guess it's OK for what I listen to. I am not happy with the "serious-listening" audio via HDMI from the pre-pros I've had up until now, so I need to fix that, one way or the other i.e. HDMI DAC or pre-pro or (probably) both.
Bryston amps are rather neutral in character. They have lots of jam (dynamics) and have good clarity and a quiet background. The thing they didn't do well was depth and space. The sound didn't escape the speakers and fill the room. This is why I never ended up buying their amp and got a used YBA instead.
That's probably why I like the Maggies with the Brystons so much. The Maggies do the depth and space, when set up *very* carefully, not just "thrown" into "any" room that *some* people who *may* be associated with Bryston *might* have said... :)
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