Bryston BCD-1 Buying A Used One In 2017

audiojem · « **on:** 22 Mar 2017, 10:48 am »

A few weeks ago I bought the New Bryston BCD-3 CD Player, I was knocked out by its great performance and I'm sure it will get even better as it breaks in!
So I started thinking that I might like to buy a used Bryston BCD-1 for my small 2nd system I was already to pull the trigger when I find out that Bryston no longer has the discontinued Phillips drives and lasers!
My question to AC members would you still buy one?
Can I buy a back up drive from another source to save for the day it does go bad?
Do you know if Bryston has made different versions of the BCD-1's in it's years of production, I know the earlier remotes were different.
I'd hate to end up with a player that can't be fixed.
Thanks In Advance

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 12:11 pm »

^ I have BCD-1 and enjoy it very much. Depending on your usage (hrs per week), you should contact Bryston to see whether they are, in fact, all out of the drive. If not, they may sell you one.

I've had other CDPs for more than 15-20 yrs (a cheap TEAC, Denon, Marantz), without any problems. My BCD-1 gets about 10 hr/week usage, a low number, and it's approaching its 5-year anniv this summer. So, a breakdown is not a big concern for me, esp as it is a Bryston. My primary source has been a BDP-1/BDA-1 combo. But for large CD box sets (that I don't bother ripping), I still enjoy BCD-1.

As far as I know, there's been only one main version of BCD-1. And I would buy a second-hand BCD-1 if I had the cash, and the price was right, for a secondary system. Try Googling Philips L1210 to see if any sources exist. Maybe these:
https://www.amazon.com/PHILIPS-LOADER-L1210-Laser-Mechanism/dp/B01FR58PKY
https://www.amazon.com/PHILIPS-LOADER-L1210-Laser-Mechanism/dp/B01FR599KE

So, in a nutshell, I wouldn't obsess about your BCD-1 drive/laser breaking down anytime soon unless you move it around a lot. I think those lasers and drives were built to really last -- Bryston doesn't take part selection decisions lightly.

audiojem · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 12:29 pm »

CM
Thanks for your reply!
I confirmed with Mike @ Bryston yesterday that in fact replacement drive inventory is depleted!

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 12:37 pm »

deleted

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 12:39 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 12:29 pm

CM
Thanks for your reply!
I confirmed with Mike @ Bryston yesterday that in fact replacement drive inventory is depleted!

Ouch. More the reason to treat BCD-1 with the utmost reverence and physical respect!

I'm sure it will be fine...it IS a Bryston!!

Phil A · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 12:40 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 12:29 pm

CM
Thanks for your reply!
I confirmed with Mike @ Bryston yesterday that in fact replacement drive inventory is depleted!

That's the real problem. There's some opinions/info here about the estimated life - http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/cd-player-lifespan

It's not that they can't put another drive in it. However that would require new software. Probably not realistic to expect a company at the end of a life span of a product to take their current resources and divert it.

I had a BCD-1 for a couple of years (basically waiting for the BDA-1 which I owed for several years) and basically sold it and bought a used BDA-1 for a hair less. I owned a nice CD/SACD machine that I had mods done to probably about 18 years back. With what is available today, disc spinners are just not for me at this point. Generally the drives that go in players are only produced by the manufacturer for a certain period (e.g. 7 years). If it takes a couple of years to get a CD player to market, then it depends on which CD drive is selected. If it is one that has been out and has a good track record for reliability, then that may be out a bit of time before the CD player is developed. So as long as one is fine with the fact that at some point (whether that is 5 years or 15 years) the player may not be usuable, it is a personal decision on whether a purchase is worth it.

PierreB · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 01:49 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 10:48 am

My question to AC members would you still buy one?

Not me.

audiojem · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 07:24 pm »

I was hoping the Big Guy From Bryston Might Chime In!

PierreB · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 07:58 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 07:24 pm

I was hoping the Big Guy From Bryston Might Chime In!

Maybe they are in Montreal for the Festival du Son this week-end.

Phil A · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 08:36 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 07:24 pm

I was hoping the Big Guy From Bryston Might Chime In!

There's a bunch of threads - e.g. - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=127591.0

Phil A · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 08:40 pm »

Quote from: audiojem on 22 Mar 2017, 07:24 pm

I was hoping the Big Guy From Bryston Might Chime In!

See post number 15 from June 2013 from James Tanner - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=117855.0

"Yes we have 100 units available for parts as well as some drives have become available on the internet for purchase which we snapped up."

audiojem · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Mar 2017, 09:52 pm »

Yes I did read that.

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:13 am »

Quote from: Phil A on 22 Mar 2017, 08:40 pm

See post number 15 from June 2013 from James Tanner - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=117855.0

"Yes we have 100 units available for parts as well as some drives have become available on the internet for purchase which we snapped up."

Aren't they all now gone (above post from OP)?

James Tanner · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 09:50 am »

Hi Folks

Sorry just saw this - I am at the Montreal Show.

Yes we ran out of drives and are sourcing more but so far no luck.

james

Phil A · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:15 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 23 Mar 2017, 09:50 am

Hi Folks

Sorry just saw this - I am at the Montreal Show.

Yes we ran out of drives and are souring nmore but so far no luck.

james

James - can you give us the model of the drive - just in case someone finds them. I no longer have a BCD-1 but I'm sure it would be helpful for those customers that do. Also, do you know of any mass market brands that used it (the drive)? That way if someone is happy with their BCD-1, they perhaps can buy something reasonable and hold on to it just in case.

audiojem · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:23 pm »

James
Thank You for your response.
I know you don't have a crystal ball but what are the chances of Bryston finding a quantity of these and if you do will they be affordable to us.
Also as a consumer if we find one do we need to send it to you to upgrade from stock I thought you mod the standard drive.
Thanks And Good Luck At The Show!
AJ

audiojem · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:24 pm »

Phil A
Great Post! You took the words right out of my mouth, your fingers are much faster than mine.
Thank You

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:25 pm »

Not sure about completeness etc.

http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/
http://vasiltech.narod.ru/CD-Player-DAC-Transport.htm

The L1210 from the BCD-1 had been modded by Bryston, so you likely won't find it on the open market anywhere.

Google is a good friend.....use it.

CanadianMaestro · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 12:32 pm »

The alternate solution, already mentioned, is to buy a (second?) BCD-3, and not have to worry about the older proprietary drive.

Our friend, Siltech, has one for sale on CAM, I believe. Not sure it's a good price, but it is mint.

Marius · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Mar 2017, 02:32 pm »

Quote from: CanadianMaestro on 23 Mar 2017, 12:25 pm

Not sure about completeness etc.

http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/the_complete_d_a_dac_converter_list/
Google is a good friend.....use it.

Cool Pete, great link this is. Dutchaudioclassics, and I had never heard from it

Got a Philips cd100 stored in the attic, still a classic to be honest, played the historical (and first classical? ) cd of Bruno Walters Lied von der Erde with Kathleen Ferrier ever so often.

Cheers,
Marius