I will confess I struggle a bit with your posts sometimes it's as if you have a BDA-3 and other times it seems you don't.
I will agree 4 HDMI inputs is overkill. However there are 2 SPDIF inputs and overall the DAC caters for just about any input you require. It can't of course cover every eventuality for every person.
But the fact remains the HDMI capability of the BDA-3 is an unique and very tempting proposition for those who want to utilise taking SACD and Blu Ray Audio stereo replay at a higher quality than most universal players can deliver within cost context. That's the appeal and it delivers and I think you only need to the BDA-3 taking in a signal from HDMI and delivering wonderful stereo.
Have you compared the two inputs?
HI BSC,
NO i don't have a BDA3, im tempted, but need the SPDIfs, and to a lesser extent the extra optical, the BDA1 offers, and the BDA3 has lost. Hence my question whether an upgraded BDA3+ is to be expected.
Im not stating the 4 HDMI ports are overkill. In fact, i have all 4 of them connected and used frequently in my setup. And route them to my BDA1's optical input. It's more that i need the lost SPDIF (and optical) inputs.
HDMI isn't unique, though very nice indeed. Probably much better and more convenient than the hassle of my currently tested HDMI deembedder. Still, it gets the job done.
Please don't start about the cost object, since Bryston always is on the rather expensive side of things.. The Oppo 205 costs about half the BDA3, and gets one a superior Universal disc spinner included. The de-embedder costs 60 euro/$.
Havent had the BDA3 here, hope to have anytime soon. I'd compare the 2 DAC's on SPDIF firstly though. Of course the de-embedding would be second.
But since SACD/BD audio is kind of a niche product, i can't help but wondering why such a superior design would be changed for just a handful of bd owners like myself. It must have been the mainstream HDMI found on just about any video device that triggered the design decision. Larger audience is what it boils down to. Probably healthy thinking.
Maybe someday the 2 shall meet.
Cheers,
Marius