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looking forward to visiting my brother...

50.101.70.203

Posted on December 8, 2016 at 15:59:08
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23686
Joined: January 4, 2002
He picked up a Bryston bda-3 about 8 months ago. He isn't much of a Hi Rez or video guy: up until now he's been using his Meridian 508 as a transport. Recently he bought an Oppo BDP-103 and should get his Cardas HDMI cable within a week. He says the bda-3 blows away the Meridian - still the best CD player I've heard in my system. He doesn't have many SACDs, so I'll bring along some of my references.

I'll be listening for a few things:

1. On CD does the Oppo sound as good as the Meridian when used as a transport.

2. How much better than the Oppo and the Meridian does the bda-3 sound on CD?

3. How much better does the bda-3 sound than the Oppo on SACD?

Expensive, but much more reasonable in Canada than the U.S. - Bryston has kept the dollar at par for this one, at about $3200 CDN. I now have space above the Oppo BDP-95 in my rack (where the Esoteric DV-50 sat), and I might give this serious consideration.

Thoughts?

 

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Oppo sacd out, posted on December 8, 2016 at 19:36:59
hawkmoon
Audiophile

Posts: 903
Location: cleveland
Joined: July 11, 2003
I would investigate the sacd over hdmi. That's the combination I'm
Interested in. Have fun!

 

3. Oppo vs. Oppo)HDMI)Bryston bda-3, posted on December 8, 2016 at 20:15:09
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23686
Joined: January 4, 2002
That certainly is the focus for me as I don't play CDs all that often.

 

RE: 3. Oppo vs. Oppo)HDMI)Bryston bda-3, posted on December 9, 2016 at 03:30:21
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
Keep me posted- Jim.

 

RE: 3. Oppo vs. Oppo)HDMI)Bryston bda-3, posted on December 12, 2016 at 08:06:28
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23686
Joined: January 4, 2002
I've contacted Bryston for any thoughts on how to implement analog bass management with this beast. Unfortunately that would mean single-ended output as the xlr inputs on the Anthem AVM 20 aren't assignable to the 7.1 inputs. In general with acoustic jazz - which accounts for most of my stereo discs - the single-ended outs from the Esoteric/Oppo with bass management (using an Outlaw Audio ICBM-1 and a separate copy of the signal)- sounds better than balanced playing through the front L,R Studio 100s alone.

After much thought probably the cleanest implementation is xlr to rca cables into the center channel input of my ICBM-1 and on to the subwoofer input on the Anthem. Just venting, but you'd think with a unit this expensive Bryston would have included an internal crossover and subwoofer output!

 

RE: 3. Oppo vs. Oppo)HDMI)Bryston bda-3, posted on December 12, 2016 at 14:47:19
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15524
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
Jim-

your suggestions are not w/o merit. Bryston is often accused along the lines such as yours, going back the SP- 1.7 preamp/processor.

 

RE: 3. Oppo vs. Oppo)HDMI)Bryston bda-3, posted on December 12, 2016 at 18:28:33
Jim Pearce
Audiophile

Posts: 23686
Joined: January 4, 2002
Mike Pickett at Bryston is excellent, but he asked me if I couldn't run the xlr inputs in stereo instead of analog direct. Sure, but the AVM20 uses the ADC to do this! What is the point of using DSD to the Bryston and then converting to PCM in the Anthem? Does anyone sell a pre-pro that does analog bass management anymore? And doesn't just about everyone have a subwoofer? It's as though they conceive of their components in isolation without considering how they fit or don't fit in the buyer's system.

 

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