Announcing The Bryston BR-20 Preamp/DAC/Streamer

jbuzas · « **Reply #240 on:** 27 Jun 2021, 09:39 pm »

Those pics look great! And I'm going to use this as an opportunity to again ask when w will be able to take pics of the Roon interface using the BR-20, i.e. can you say anything about when the BR-20 will be Roon certified? thank you.

James Tanner · « **Reply #241 on:** 28 Jun 2021, 10:18 am »

Hi

We have submitted a BR-20 for ROON certification but no word yet.

james

klao · « **Reply #242 on:** 1 Jul 2021, 12:16 pm »

Hello James,

It's been a while. Hope you and your team are well, and many congratulations on exciting progress and developments over at Bryston/Axiom.

I have a number of questions regarding the BR-20:

1. Has the price for BR-20 with optional HDMI board been announced yet?
2. What is the nominal output impedance of the preamp section in balanced mode?
3. Is the digital player built in the BR-20 better than my old BDP-1? I've updated BDP-1 with the latest firmware and happily using it via USB connection with the BDA-3.
4. Relating to BDP-1 & BDA-3 combo -vs- built in DAC/player within the BR-20, would additional power supplies on the separate units, theoretically, yield better sonic than the shared one with the preamp? Or the one in the BR-20 is beefy enough for everything?
5. Any of the two SE and the two BAL inputs can be programmed for HT bypass, correct? Would connecting a single-end cable from say, my SP3's front left and front right channels be converted internally within the BR-20 to be balanced signals? Well, the cable would be just 1 meter long, but I'm just curios. : )

My current preamp has 5 balanced inputs; I'm using 4 of them for: (1) phono stage, (2) BDA-3, (3) HT bypass with SP3's front left/rght, & (4) ModWright Oppo 95 stereo outs. I might consider using the BR-20 instead and sell the BDP-1 & BDA-3 combo. Two XLR inputs could be used with my phono preamp and Oppo balance outs; one SE input for SP3. Or maybe using Oppo's HDMI out with BR-20 optional board, and use another XLR connection with SP3.

Thanks in advance for the info and your kind advice, as always.

James Tanner · « **Reply #243 on:** 1 Jul 2021, 12:34 pm »

Hi Klao

1. Yes the prices are available for the optional boards.
2. Its about 25 ohms I believe but I can check with engineering. (less than 100 ohms)
3. The digital player in the BR-20 is the Pi4 so it is more advanced than the BDP-1.
4. The power supply in the BR20 is robust but there are limitations on the size of an attached hard-drive and the current it may draw. So we recommended Flash drives or NAS if your library is extensive.
5. I do not think there is a bypass feature but I will ask.

best
james

klao · « **Reply #244 on:** 3 Jul 2021, 08:11 am »

Quote from: James Tanner on 1 Jul 2021, 12:34 pm

4. The power supply in the BR20 is robust but there are limitations on the size of an attached hard-drive and the current it may draw. So we recommended Flash

Only one 4TB portable HDD is now attached to my BPD-1, should be enough of music for me in a long while. : )

Quote from: James Tanner on 1 Jul 2021, 12:34 pm

5. I do not think there is a bypass feature but I will ask.

According to Bryston's website on BR-20 page: "Programmable theater bypass feature"

James Tanner · « **Reply #245 on:** 8 Jul 2021, 03:48 pm »

Hi Folks,

Download the PDF document from the link below and also the .BIN file for loading the newest firmware for the BR-20

http://support.bryston.com/downloads/BR-20/firmware/

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #246 on:** 9 Jul 2021, 11:49 am »

Dear James,

Hope you are keeping well and safe.

I received our first unit of BR20 and absolutely amazed by this product. Unfortunately, it is for a customer!!

Many thanks and with best wishes………….Mustansir. UAE

James Tanner · « **Reply #247 on:** 9 Jul 2021, 01:46 pm »

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BR-20 – Distributor Feedback

July 2021

Hi James,

Our first BR-20 is on review in ‘Sound Rebels’. Review with photos soon. I will send you some translated sentences.

We are blown away by BR-20 sound.

What a punch, speed and details. Incredible!!

Next reviews are waiting in line (stereolife, highfidelity).

Best regards,
Robert Fijałkowski
MJ AUDIO LAB
Poland

bokko · « **Reply #248 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 05:36 pm »

Placing order today is there a delay in black over silver?

Thanks.
Can't post pic but my Roon home has
1045 artists and 3909 albums for 55418 tracks

Jerry

James Tanner · « **Reply #249 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 06:07 pm »

Quote from: bokko on 14 Jul 2021, 05:36 pm

Placing order today is there a delay in black over silver?

Thanks.
Can't post pic but my Roon home has
1045 artists and 3909 albums for 55418 tracks

Jerry

Hi Jerry

Yes sorry it will be a while - we are backordered over 100 units and we have been locked down for 3 weeks. Should be up and running again on the 21st.

james

bokko · « **Reply #250 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 06:31 pm »

No problem James worth the wait, exactly what I am looking for.

Does color affect delay making it longer one over other?

Thanks

James Tanner · « **Reply #251 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 06:33 pm »

Quote from: bokko on 14 Jul 2021, 06:31 pm

No problem James worth the wait, exactly what I was looking for.

Does color affect delay making it longer one over other?

Thanks

No its about the same on colour and size.

james

bokko · « **Reply #252 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 07:30 pm »

Will Bryston continue to support DSD specifically .dsf with the BR-20?

Its all about how the music is recorded but some of my favorite albums do still sound better...

Its been answered in a review on Soundstage:

The BR-20’s streaming module differs from the one used in Bryston’s BDA-3.14 streaming DAC-preamp ($4195) in a couple of important respects. First, the BR-20’s Raspberry Pi 4 SBC is faster than the Pi 3 board used in the BDA-3.14, so large libraries load more quickly. Second, it uses a USB interface to send data to the internal DAC; the BDA-3.14 uses I2S (Inter-IC Sound). The internal USB interface allows the BR-20 to play DSD files stored on a connected drive in native format; the BDA-3.14 converts DSD data to 24/192 PCM before passing them on to its internal DAC. At the time I was writing this review, the BR-20 had not yet received Roon Ready certification. When it does, you will also be able to stream DSD to the BR-20 via Roon, something you cannot do with the BDA-3.14.

Still a big part of my budget so would like to confirm before committing.

James Tanner · « **Reply #253 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 08:34 pm »

Hi

Yes we will continue to support DSD

james

bokko · « **Reply #254 on:** 14 Jul 2021, 08:41 pm »

Order already placed

Looking forward to arrival now to sell the BDA-3...ouch it's hard to part with.

Thanks

James Tanner · « **Reply #255 on:** 15 Jul 2021, 09:51 pm »

For those folks that speak Polish
https://soundrebels.com/bryston-br-20-2/

steveoat · « **Reply #256 on:** 18 Jul 2021, 03:03 pm »

Is the HDMI module self-installable or does it require dealer installation.

James Tanner · « **Reply #257 on:** 18 Jul 2021, 05:06 pm »

We assume our distributors or dealers would do it as they would have the test gear to make sure all is OK.

That being said I will ask service what they think.

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #258 on:** 19 Jul 2021, 12:42 pm »

From service:

We think it would be best if we left it as a factory and/or dealer installation so the upgrade can be tested and warranty can be continued/added.

steveoat · « **Reply #259 on:** 22 Jul 2021, 05:05 pm »

Hi James,

You mentioned that production on the BR-20 was going to start up again around July 21st.

Are they in production yet?

Bruce