...after an absence for a few years.
Was first introduced to nice stereos back in the mid 1980s when I was stationed in Japan for a 6 month deployment. The base PX had a dedicated audio store. Lots of guys bought stuff to take back home. I didn't have the $$ to buy anything special. I remember guys drooling over the Nakamichi Dragon. Carver stuff was popular, as was Yamaha and dbx. I didn't know enough then to identify if any very high-end stuff was there, but considering none of us were rich, I doubt it.
First system (1986): Yamaha AX-500u integrated Amp, Yamaha CD player (forget the model #), and Genesis Physics 22/2 speakers. Some years later I gave away the amp to a friend and it is working to this day. The other two are long gone. Genesis Physics eventually went out of business.
First stab at the high end (Early 1990s): Arcam Delta 290 Integrated Amp, California Audio Labs Delta CD transport & Alpha DAC, Denon cassette deck, Magnepan 1.6 speakers. The Arcam was a very musical amp but the maggies needed more power, not a huge issue at the time as I was living in a small studio apartment, but I did overheat it to shutdown a couple of times. It was a beautiful sounding system. Purchased at Audio Perfection in Minneapolis. A great store that is still there.
Best system I've owned (2005) mbl 7008 integrated amp, Esoteric DV-50s Universal Player, Krell Resolution 3 speakers. Krell made fantastic loudspeakers but have abandoned making them. Amp purchased at Rhapsody Music & Cinema in NYC. Got to hear Goldmund Epilogue and mbl 101e loudspeakers. The Krells were purchased at the now-defunct Harvey Electronics.
I sold everything in a move and am just now starting to get back in, foregoing physical media. Up to now I just have a NAD D 3020 integrated amp/dac, and listen to music via various ROKU music channels (toslink from TV to the NAD), with Yamaha NS-F310 speakers. Better listening is with Fostex TH500RP headphones and an Audioengine D1 dac/amp via computer. Despite a glowing review from Steve Guttenberg, the Fostex appears to be a flop on the market.
I just ordered an Audeze Deckard dac/headphone amp to replace the audioengine. Got a nice price on a demo from Razor Dog Audio. I also ordered a Bryston BDP-Pi from Audio Advisor. This will feed the NAD D 3020. I have started buying high res downloads via HD Tracks and Acoustic Sounds. I also bought a JRiver media center player for 50 bucks.
I live in a tiny studio apartment so I am looking at purchasing Silverline Audio Prelude Plus loudspeakers. Eventually I will upgrade the NAD to a more expensive integrated amp w/built in DAC (space is at a premium). The Bel Canto C5i looks good to me.
Anyway, I found this forum because I want to know more about using the Bryston BDP-Pi and I see you have a dedicated Bryston Forum.
Who is Larry Dickman? Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1TokSjuHmc 
