Taking a BDP-1USB for a spin as the first stage in a (potential) root-and-branch upgrade of my digital source. Working in Roon Ready Mode (as a committed Roon user). Attracted to the Bryston for its hi-fi form factor, rather than a series of odd little boxes and power supplies - as well as the potential to drive a high end USB DAC.
First time around the unit seems to have forgotten its Roon Ready status when it went into standby - and defaulted back to USB. Is this a firmware thing? Don’t want to update the firmware until I actually own it.
A comment - I’m having a bit of a “can I be hearing this?” reaction. Running into a Meridian Explorer 2 (yes - something of a mismatch, but people underestimate this giant killer of a DAC at their peril) I expected an uplift to be sure (from a Raspberry Pi with standard PSU). I expected a stable, quieter digital signal may have some effect on the sound, as well as the BDP effectively also acting as an improved power supply for the DAC. But oh my goodness! I’m trying to fight any expectation bias - which may be a factor, of course. The sound is identifiably the same - but smoother and with greater texture. Spatial cues seem to be transformed. Quite a performance. I can’t see this going back at the end of the trial.
Second question - may be a daft one - I was looking at the Chord Qutest DAC as a (possible) second part of my digital progression. It gets power through a 5V DC micro USB connection. Could this possibly be supplied by the BDP, or is it too much?
Many thanks,
Malcolm, Roon (and new Bryston) fan in England.