BDA-3 DAC

Tympani · « **Reply #460 on:** 31 May 2016, 05:12 pm »

Quote from: XMAN on 31 May 2016, 01:28 pm

Does anyone know how to get the upsampling to work on the bda3? I know it only works with s/pdif

What are your inputs? As I understand, upsample will not work on USB or HDMI inputs

James Tanner · « **Reply #461 on:** 31 May 2016, 05:43 pm »

BDA-3 Sample Rate Explanation

• In the BDA-3, the sample rate is increased from the input sample frequency (48K, or 96K upsamples to 192K.

• The 44.1K or 88.2K upsamples to 176.4K).

The 16 bits of depth (the CD standard) is increased to 24 bits.

OPTIONAL UPSAMPLING FEATURE

A very unique feature of the Bryston BDA-3 External DAC is the ability to disengage the upsampling feature. You can compare an upsampled signal with a non-upsampled signal simply by engaging a switch on the front panel. This feature is functional when using sample rates of 44.1K, 88.2K, 48K, and 96K.

The BDA-3 tells you what is ‘COMING IN’ not what is going ‘out’.

The Digital Lock light will turn ‘green’ if the digital signal is locked.

The incoming sample rate will be indicated by that LED going green – so if the incoming digital signal is 96K the 96K LED will light green.

If you push the UPSAMPLE button on the front panel then the incoming digital signal will be ‘SYNCHRONOUSLY UPSAMPLED.

•If the sample rate coming in is 44K or 88.1K the BDA-3 upsamples to 176K

•If the sample rate coming in is 48K, or 96K the BDA-3 upsamples to 192K.

The upsample feature only works on SPDIF inputs (not USB or HDMI).

If the incoming signal is 'native' 176K or 192K then no upsampling occurs.

If you want to maintain NATIVE file playback only leave the Upsample button OFF

XMAN · « **Reply #462 on:** 31 May 2016, 07:41 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 31 May 2016, 05:43 pm

BDA-3 Sample Rate Explanation

• In the BDA-3, the sample rate is increased from the input sample frequency (48K, or 96K upsamples to 192K.

• The 44.1K or 88.2K upsamples to 176.4K).

The 16 bits of depth (the CD standard) is increased to 24 bits.

OPTIONAL UPSAMPLING FEATURE

A very unique feature of the Bryston BDA-3 External DAC is the ability to disengage the upsampling feature. You can compare an upsampled signal with a non-upsampled signal simply by engaging a switch on the front panel. This feature is functional when using sample rates of 44.1K, 88.2K, 48K, and 96K.

The BDA-3 tells you what is ‘COMING IN’ not what is going ‘out’.

The Digital Lock light will turn ‘green’ if the digital signal is locked.

The incoming sample rate will be indicated by that LED going green – so if the incoming digital signal is 96K the 96K LED will light green.

If you push the UPSAMPLE button on the front panel then the incoming digital signal will be ‘SYNCHRONOUSLY UPSAMPLED.

•If the sample rate coming in is 44K or 88.1K the BDA-3 upsamples to 176K

•If the sample rate coming in is 48K, or 96K the BDA-3 upsamples to 192K.

The upsample feature only works on SPDIF inputs (not USB or HDMI).

If the incoming signal is 'native' 176K or 192K then no upsampling occurs.

If you want to maintain NATIVE file playback only leave the Upsample button OFF

Hi James, i have a blue led unit. When i have the input set to spdif (my CD player) the led stays red never turns blue even with signal. If i have the AES input selected the LED turns blue without and input at all.

James Tanner · « **Reply #463 on:** 31 May 2016, 07:45 pm »

You mean just the upsample LED behaves that way?

james

XMAN · « **Reply #464 on:** 31 May 2016, 07:50 pm »

yes the upsample LED doesn't go blue with the SPDIF selected

James Tanner · « **Reply #465 on:** 31 May 2016, 10:06 pm »

Quote from: XMAN on 31 May 2016, 07:50 pm

yes the upsample LED doesn't go blue with the SPDIF selected

OK please send me a copy of your description to jamestanner@bryston.com and I will run it past engineering.

james

satbox · « **Reply #466 on:** 3 Jun 2016, 08:00 am »

Hello,

Do you know if the BDA-3 USB driver is compatible with Windows Server 2012 R2?

Thank you!

James Tanner · « **Reply #467 on:** 3 Jun 2016, 10:17 am »

Quote from: satbox on 3 Jun 2016, 08:00 am

Hello,

Do you know if the BDA-3 USB driver is compatible with Windows Server 2012 R2?

Thank you!

Hi

I believe so as we have not had any reports otherwise but check with Mike please. mpickett@bryston.com

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #468 on:** 9 Jun 2016, 01:34 pm »

James

Thanks for the attention to the line cord strain relief.

I just got the BDA 3 today. Wow !! It sounds awesome. All I did was hook up my CD player to it. The detail and smoothness is more than I expected. I really did not think I would notice much improvement until I add BDP 2 and BOT 1.

I could stop now and be happy. The BDA 3 is amazing. Money well spent.

You guys have done a super job with it.

Andy Visniewski

Xinon · « **Reply #469 on:** 9 Jun 2016, 03:25 pm »

Got my Bda3 a couple og days ago, finaly the Bda1 can be put in the basement stereo

James Tanner · « **Reply #470 on:** 10 Jun 2016, 10:26 am »

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BDA-3 DAC – Reviewer Comment

“Hey Bryston folks:

The BDA-3 is one heck of a DAC! The finesses and dynamics in decoding hi-res files, such as DSD to 5-6MHz and 24/384 ensures that Bryston maintains its super accuracy legacy with this latest D/A.

With my premium AKG K812 HP's and the BHA-1 HP amp — as well as the new Pass Labs HPA-1. I can really listen deep in to the audio detail — especially with jazz and classical. The stereo soundstage is spacious and deep, and that optimization of the AKM DAC chip and your well-implemented analog signal path make for a smooth (but natural sonic character) that is a cut above many of they ESS Sabre DAC-equipped DACs. My own 24/384 stereo guitar samples never sounded better than the BDA-3 through a set of HPs.

The D/A is equally effective via speakers. I have only listened for two days, but already on one system, that includes my Pass Labs x350.8 stereo MOSFET amp (or my Bryston 14SSTII reference bipolar amp), Coda high current preamp, a pair of Martin Logan Montis electrostatics and Macbook Pro player source with Audirvana, the BDA-3 is impressive. A reviewed Heigel DAC is similar in its sound (same chip), which I really like as well, but it is about $1,200 more and offers less features. (No double speed DSD or greater than 192 kHz native playback.

The BDA-3 is definitely getting our Everything Audio Network Stellar Sound Award, planned for publication next month, and also will go into nomination for the "Best DAC of The Year"

John Gatski,
Publisher,
Everything Audio Magazine.

alexone · « **Reply #471 on:** 10 Jun 2016, 06:59 pm »

James,

what about a 'smaller' version of the BDA-3? maybe just 2 hdmi inputs and some optical and coax inputs...
let's say a total of max. 6 inputs to reduce the costs. this dac should have the same technology like BDA-3, of course.

this dac could have the 1/3 size as well.

al.

James Tanner · « **Reply #472 on:** 10 Jun 2016, 08:23 pm »

Quote from: alexone on 10 Jun 2016, 06:59 pm

James,

what about a 'smaller' version of the BDA-3? maybe just 2 hdmi inputs and some optical and coax inputs...
let's say a total of max. 6 inputs to reduce the costs. this dac should have the same technology like BDA-3, of course.

this dac could have the 1/3 size as well.

al.

Hi Al

There really is not much of a savings if you leave a few connections off. The Power supply sections and the discrete Class A analog stages are where a lot of the cost is.

james

Bones13 · « **Reply #473 on:** 11 Jun 2016, 02:16 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 10 Jun 2016, 08:23 pm

Hi Al

There really is not much of a savings if you leave a few connections off. The Power supply sections and the discrete Class A analog stages are where a lot of the cost is.

james

Besides, if you are going to use it as an HDMI switcher, 4 inputs allow DVD, Cable, Streamer, and a music computer to all work on the TV or monitor.

If you are going to trim, just have the one HDMI digital audio input, with no video involved.

The HDMI switching was very influential in my decision process, and I love this DAC.

alexone · « **Reply #474 on:** 11 Jun 2016, 04:52 pm »

...ok, James. but wouldn't you agree that a 1/3 sized dac would just fit since Bryston now offers the 'little ones'?!?

al.

James Tanner · « **Reply #475 on:** 11 Jun 2016, 04:54 pm »

Quote from: alexone on 11 Jun 2016, 04:52 pm

...ok, James. but wouldn't you agree that a 1/3 sized dac would just fit since Bryston now offers the 'little ones'?!?

al.

Cosmetically yes. - for sure.

james

nc42acc · « **Reply #476 on:** 11 Jun 2016, 08:34 pm »

Are the BDA-3 still on back order / limited availability?

James Tanner · « **Reply #477 on:** 11 Jun 2016, 11:18 pm »

Quote from: nc42acc on 11 Jun 2016, 08:34 pm

Are the BDA-3 still on back order / limited availability?

HI

We have caught up so i would say about 10 days from order. Given all the great press coming though we may get backed up again.

james

nc42acc · « **Reply #478 on:** 12 Jun 2016, 02:37 pm »

James any black BDA-3 in stock ready to ship? Pushing my dealer to get me one.

James Tanner · « **Reply #479 on:** 12 Jun 2016, 02:39 pm »

Quote from: nc42acc on 12 Jun 2016, 02:37 pm

James any black BDA-3 in stock ready to ship? Pushing my dealer to get me one.

I can find out - if you order it email me the dealer and I will try and fast-track it for you.

jamestanner@bryston.com

james