Upgrade Path? 9B2>4B3; BDP1>BDP3?
 

Hi all--looking for some quick feedback w/r to some upgrades I've been contemplating for awhile, and which I need to decide on before the price increase on Sept1.

Current system is BDP1 (plus OPPO, DISH, and Roku) into an SP3, then into a 9B SST2.

I have new speakers up front, Focal Sopra #3s, and Sopra center channel, and two new JL Audio Fathom 112s. (Thank you, Ivan.) With the new Sopras I'd like a little more amplifier, with the newer tech and all, for the mains, and I'd also like to upgrade my BDP1 to a BDP3, for better load times, internal storage, and the propietary sound card.

Any thoughts? will I get a noticeable improvement in SQ? Should I save up for 7B3s instead? (Not likely by Sept1.)

Please let me know what you all think. All input appreciated.

Dave.......I think your plan is solid. More power from the newest circuits, and the leading edge tech DAC from Bryston makes sense to me.

Get that order in early.

Going to monoblocks from the mch amp for your mains will give you, by far, the greatest improvement with what you've got right now.

Thanks- Thinking of the BDP, though, not the BDA. Haven’t decided about a DAC yet... still thinking MQA.

Tempting, but the 4B may be easier to sneak past the wife. :D

Do you think they would make that much difference at modest volumes?

yes

Thanks.

Weirdcuba beat me to it; he is correct. "Yes" is about as precise as it gets.

I would definitely go for the BDP3 with the new sound card. It makes an appreciable difference totally removing that digital bite in the Julio card. :yes: The amp would be my last consideration in light of your previous comment that you don't play loud. But, on second thought, I remember you like classical and it has a lot of dynamic range so....:scratch2:

Thanks for all the input, guys. I just ordered the BDP3 and a pair of 7B3s. Thanks, Ivan!! :music:

Went with the 7s for the greater reserve power, increased capacitance for transients, and more time spent in pure class A.

Plus, they look so frickin' cool.. :D

Got the player in 17" faceplate to match the existing, but had to have the 19 w/handles for the monoblocks, Both in silver with blue LEDs.

Now comes the hard part, waiting......