BDA-3 DSD over HDMI

[joey_corleoni]

Hello,

I just received my new BDA-3 this weekend, and have really been loving it! Fantastic founding unit, really. I have one minor problem and was wondering if anybody had heard of this

I use a Yamaha BD-A1010 for SACD. I have the HDMI output run into the BDA-3 and set to bitstream native DSD (which I guess they are kind of lying since according to the Bryston display it is really DoP but whatever)

When you first turn on the Yamaha, it sends 16/48 PCM, and the BDA-3 locks on to that. Now, when you put an SACD in the tray and press play, it starts sending DSD. The BDA-3 locks on to the DSD signal, but there is no sound. To get it to work, you have to toggle the BDA-3 to another input, then go back to the HDMI input.

Here is what I have been doing to play SACD

- Turn on source
- Turn on BDA-3 and leave the input on something else like optical
- Put in my SACD and press play.
- Immediately press stop. The Yamaha is now outputting DSD
- Switch the BDA-3 to HDMI input. It locks and plays fine

So, it seems that if the HDMI input first hears PCM then gets a DSD signal it locks it, but seemingly mutes the output.

I know there were some issues with pops when switching between DSD and PCM early on. I wonder if the firmware fix to address that inadvertently caused something like this.

It is a minor issue, but it would be cool if it went away.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by joey_corleone

Hello,

I just received my new BDA-3 this weekend, and have really been loving it! Fantastic founding unit, really. I have one minor problem and was wondering if anybody had heard of this

I use a Yamaha BD-A1010 for SACD. I have the HDMI output run into the BDA-3 and set to bitstream native DSD (which I guess they are kind of lying since according to the Bryston display it is really DoP but whatever)

When you first turn on the Yamaha, it sends 16/48 PCM, and the BDA-3 locks on to that. Now, when you put an SACD in the tray and press play, it starts sending DSD. The BDA-3 locks on to the DSD signal, but there is no sound. To get it to work, you have to toggle the BDA-3 to another input, then go back to the HDMI input.

Here is what I have been doing to play SACD

- Turn on source
- Turn on BDA-3 and leave the input on something else like optical
- Put in my SACD and press play.
- Immediately press stop. The Yamaha is now outputting DSD
- Switch the BDA-3 to HDMI input. It locks and plays fine

So, it seems that if the HDMI input first hears PCM then gets a DSD signal it locks it, but seemingly mutes the output.

I know there were some issues with pops when switching between DSD and PCM early on. I wonder if the firmware fix to address that inadvertently caused something like this.

It is a minor issue, but it would be cool if it went away.

I have not used the Yamaha player but have used the OPPO, Pioneer and Denon which work well. See if the menu in the Yamaha offers different output settings when decoding DSD?

james

[joey_corleoni]

There are only the two options

DSD - The manual claims this is raw DSD, but I think it is DoP since when the BDA-3 locks the signal the DSD light is green.

PCM - This would convert DSD to PCM inside the player and obviously defeats the purpose of having a DSD DAC

I think the issue is that the Yamaha initially sends 16/48 PCM. After you put in an SACD and press play, it then outputs DSD. The BDA-3 seems to mute the output I there is a transition like that. It needs to see DSD when switching to the input initially. At least that is what I experience.

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by joey_corleone

There are only the two options

DSD - The manual claims this is raw DSD, but I think it is DoP since when the BDA-3 locks the signal the DSD light is green.

PCM - This would convert DSD to PCM inside the player and obviously defeats the purpose of having a DSD DAC

I think the issue is that the Yamaha initially sends 16/48 PCM. After you put in an SACD and press play, it then outputs DSD. The BDA-3 seems to mute the output I there is a transition like that. It needs to see DSD when switching to the input initially. At least that is what I experience.

I had issues too with the DSD to the BDA-3 via HDMI from my Oppo. I'd get this horrible pop when I'd switch. Oddly James had the same set up and never had an issue. I fixed it in the most audiophile way possible... I ordered a BDP-2 and hooked it up via USB.

[joey_corleoni]

Originally Posted by phishphan

I had issues too with the DSD to the BDA-3 via HDMI from my Opponent. I'd get this horrible pop when I'd switch. Oddly James had the same set up and never had an issue. I fixed it in the most audiophile way possible... I ordered a BDP-2 and hooked it up via USB.

Interesting solution. I'm glad it works for you, but I am wanting to mainly play SACDs from my SACD player. It works, it is just a bit of a hassle. In all honesty, the Yamaha BD-A1010 has always been a little buggy. I'm not that worried about it. It takes me 2 seconds to switch to another input and then back to make it work.

Also, if I pause the music, I make sure to put my preamp on mute, because if the Yamaha sits for too long on pause, times out, and decides to turn off, I get nasty pop.

[joey_corleoni]

I picked up a cheapo Sony BDP-s6500 for $89 that does DSD over HDMI. It does not have the same problem so I am happy for now. It is however an extremely low end player lol...I may get something more permanent later

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by joey_corleone

I picked up a cheapo Sony BDP-s6500 for $89 that does DSD over HDMI. It does not have the same problem so I am happy for now. It is however an extremely low end player lol...I may get something more permanent later

Hi

Yes it is because it does not loose the handshake.

James

[joey_corleoni]

Just reporting in - I ditched the Yamaha and cheap Sony and got an Oppo 103 : ) Works perfectly and such a nice unit!

[Bikeman71]

Originally Posted by joey_corleone

Just reporting in - I ditched the Yamaha and cheap Sony and got an Oppo 103 : ) Works perfectly and such a nice unit!

Additional good news about the 103...you can now rip your SACDs to your computer!

[joey_corleoni]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

Additional good news about the 103...you can now rip your SACDs to your computer!

To be 100% honest, that was the main reason I picked it up lol. In the process of ripping my collection this weekend! And as a bonus the Oppo blows away my old player