Absolute Sound Magazine - Buyers Guide 2019

[James Tanner - Bryston]

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Absolute Sound Magazine – Buyers Guide 2019

Bryston BP26/MPS2 Preamplifier (Optional Internal DAC/Phono)

This two-chassis, fully featured preamp has lots of connectors (RCA and XLR) and traditional control knobs and switches rather than an interactive, menu-driven control screen. It even has a decent headphone section. Only tone controls were skipped. Build-quality and sonics are quite high as its price level.

The BP26 sounded tonally neutral with fairly high resolution of fine detail and notable upper- frequency openness, all leading to a pristine presentation without edginess. The BP26 seemed to bring forth the central thrust of whatever music was playing with fatigue-free musical verve. Bass extensions and dynamic control were also strong points as were soundstage width and height.

The BP26 offers versatility and musical enjoyment at a competitive price. Bryston's famous 20-year warranty gives buyers assurance of long-term reliability.

Bryston BCD-3 CD Player

In a world where CD players are fast becoming obsolete, the Bryston BCD-3 bows with musical and sonic generosity that doesn't come along every day.

The company's latest CD player represents a substantial upgrade over its lauded BCD-1 (there was no BCD-2). Enhancements include an entirely new transport and dual 32-bit AKM 4490 DAC chips. Compared to its predecessor, the BCD-3 offers far better channel separation, resulting not only in a wider soundstage but also more solid imagining.

The new model also boasts a lower noise floor, so music emerges with greater purity, tangibility, and dynamic contrast.

Thoughtfully, Bryston included a high-grade digital output. Thus, if outboard DACs evolve beyond the superb BDA-3- based model within the BCD-3, owners can utilize the Bryston as a pure transport. If you're considering buying one last CD player- one that's future-proof and won't break the bank- the BCD-3 should top your list.

Bryston BDA-3 DAC

The Bryston BDA-3 enhances the functionality of the 2013 Product of the Year Award Winning- BDA-2 by adding a second asynchronous USB input and four HDMI inputs, PCM sample rates up to 384kHz are now supported, as are DSD rates up to DSD256. Most significantly , not only can DSD signals be received by the BDA-3 USB inputs, but also from suitably equipped HDMI sources.

The evolutionary development of Bryston's DACs from the original BDA-1 to the BDA-3 has been an object lesson in digital progress. Bryston's BDA-3 DAC surpasses the high-value performance standard set by the BDA-2, enables inexpensive HDMI-equipped disc players to function as premium source components, and adds exceptionally engaging DSD playback to its potent mix of virtues.

[Mikado463]

James while the BCD-3 is a fine player it's a shame, IMO, that it's not SACD compliant.

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

James while the BCD-3 is a fine player it's a shame, IMO, that it's not SACD compliant.

Hi Dave

SACD requires a completely different circuit topology than PCM so we would not have been able to optimize PCM playback in the BCD-3.

james

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by James Tanner - Bryston

Hi Dave

SACD requires a completely different circuit topology than PCM so we would not have been able to optimize PCM playback in the BCD-3.

james

Understood James and with that being said I have about 50 or so SACD's that need to be played !

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

Understood James and with that being said I have about 50 or so SACD's that need to be played !

Rip them!

[gbaby]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

James while the BCD-3 is a fine player it's a shame, IMO, that it's not SACD compliant.

There are rebook CDs that compare favorably with SACD. I have an SACD player and I have discovered that a well recorded CD can rival the sound of SACD. Hi res is overrated. In fact, I have a digital player that play hi res and red book, but I find red book sounds more natural.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Rip them!

did that to my jeans a couple of times, felt bad about it for weeks ...........

on a serious note, my Cary 306 pro does a superb job !

[bart]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

did that to my jeans a couple of times, felt bad about it for weeks ...........

Hahaha!

My daughters wear ripped jeans, and don't feel bad.

But back on topic now.
Congrats James!
Bryston sells wonderful products.

[Stefan_DR3]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

Understood James and with that being said I have about 50 or so SACD's that need to be played !

Same here. I use a Cambridge Audio universal player as a transport. It takes care of CD, DVD, HDCD and SACD (via HDMI to BDA3). It’s the only non-Bryston piece of electronics in my system.

[Parabellum]

Well deserved James!

For my part, since I moved entirely digital, I am no longer looking back at CD player. BDP for the win!