Hello!
I have a few questions regarding high-res support on the BDP pkatform. I have a BDP-2 but I assume this applies to all models. My questions are as follows:
1. Is BDP still limited to DSD128 (5.6 MHz) and if so, what is the limiting factor - hardware or software?
2. What is the maximum sampling rate suššprted by the BDP with factory installed BUC-board through it's AES/EBU and COAXIAL output?
3. In relation to question number 2 (not to be repeating myself), how about the USB output?
4. A few years ago when BDP-2 became available, I read there is an optional connector bracket that can be attached to the rear panel and provide 2 additional USB ports just by removing the plate cover withheld by 2 screws and replacing it with this bracket. If you look at the BDP-2 from behind, this plate cover is located on the far left. Have I understood this correctly and is this bracket available from Bryston? I ssume this bracket is connected to the main computer board inside.
5. What purpose does the HDMI port on the BDP-3 serve? Is this an audio interface or a video interface to connect to a monitor?
6. With respect to USB connection to outboard DACs, is it limited to Bryston DACs only or does it work with any DAC with a USB input? I assume the DAC has to be a USB class 2.0 compliant. I am sorry if I have missed this bit of information but it would perhaps be a good idea to have a list of compatible DACs on your website. It would be impossible to test them all but some forum members might be of assistance in providing some information.
Thanks for your time!
Cheers!
Antun
As far as I am aware there is no limitation on sample rate of pcm or dsd on a USB interface. We've only been able to test up to DSD128 because we haven't had a USB DAC that supports higher then this via DoP to test with. Our own DSD capable DAC the BDA-3 only supports up to DSD128 via DoP and only DSD256 via the native DSD protocol. Native DSD support for the BDA-3 and other Bryston DACs are planned for the next major release, but there really hasn't been a big push for it. We've been focused on improving the user interface and streaming services.
192khz 24bit is the maximum supported
As per the first answer I don't think there is anything technically limiting it but the USB DAC it self, but we've only tested with what our DACs are capable of doing.
The plan was to offer a USB 3.0 option, but in the early days it required newer firmware, which we did eventually release (manic moose with 3.16 kernel(I think)). By the time we got there it really wasn't being asked for and ended up not really ever going anywhere. Although now that we carry the needed parts for the BDP3 I may investigate what needs to be done to bring it to the bdp2 as well. Maybe follow up with me in Monday?
It acts as both, we don't really recommend it for audio, it will go up to pcm 192khz, but the quality of the interface is inferior to the digital spdif and usb interfaces. It should also produce an image showing the currently playing tracks cover art along with the track name, artist and album.
That is correct, the bdp's (all of them except maybe the bdp-pi) should work with most any standard USB audio class 2 DACs. We've only ever tested with our own DACs and occasionally a customer or dealer will send us a DAC to test with, but I'm not sure if we have a list. We've even added an advance audio settings page to our audio device settings page to help change any irregular settings that the Linux firmware might not just do with certain 3rd party DAC manufacturers that don't test with Linux.
Hope this answers your questions