[James Tanner]

Hi folks,

Have the prototype home this weekend for some tests so hope we will soon be able to move forward.




Check out the measurements!

[Mag]

That's perdy.

Those little lights on the Volume control is a nice feature if you listen in the dark. I have a white dot sticker on my SP2 but even with that I can't see where the volume is at when using the remote in the dark.

[GrooveControl]

Hi James, looking good.  Some comments on cosmetics should you be interested.

- Fewer levels that the buttons are spread across might be easier on the eyes.
- Not digging the ring around the headphone output.
- I like the LEDs, but they can't be the bright kind like the BHA-1.  Should be dim like B60.  

[NorthMac]

James, it might be worth re-stating what the BP-18 is for people seeing it first here; even now I couldn't tell you what thread it was first mentioned in.... so it is a streaming preamplifier and DAC all in one front end, using the Pi platform for streaming.... correct?

[James Tanner]

James, it might be worth re-stating what the BP-18 is for people seeing it first here; even now I couldn't tell you what thread it was first mentioned in.... so it is a streaming preamplifier and DAC all in one front end, using the Pi platform for streaming.... correct?

Hi

Yes it is a combination of the BDA-3 DAC with the BP26 Pre and a Pi4 streamer.

james

[James Tanner]

Hi James, looking good.  Some comments on cosmetics should you be interested.

- Fewer levels that the buttons are spread across might be easier on the eyes.
- Not digging the ring around the headphone output.
- I like the LEDs, but they can't be the bright kind like the BHA-1.  Should be dim like B60.   

Hi,

You can adjust the brightness of the display and the LED's.

james

[Digi-G]

I think it looks great.  I like the silver finish and the LEDs, especially for the volume.

[onthefly]

Nooooooo. I was just looking at the 17

[James Tanner]

Nooooooo. I was just looking at the 17

HI

The 17 stays in the line as well. Depends on what feature set you want.

james

[R. Daneel]

Hi James!

This is an exciting new product!

Can you please give us more information on the inputs - how many digital and analog ones and what type?

A photo of the rear panel would be much appreciated.

Also, being based on the BP-26, I assume the volume control is fully analog, correct?

One more other thing, do you have a an estimated retail price yet?

Cheers,
Antun

[James Tanner]

Hi James!

This is an exciting new product!

Can you please give us more information on the inputs - how many digital and analog ones and what type?

A photo of the rear panel would be much appreciated.

Also, being based on the BP-26, I assume the volume control is fully analog, correct?

One more other thing, do you have a an estimated retail price yet?

Cheers,
Antun

I will try and take a pic of the back of the unit I have.

The volume is an analog resistor ladder controlled digitally.

No pricing yet but should have something soon.

One new feature over the BP26 is the BP18 runs fully balanced from input to output.

james

[techguy0192]

Good to see a new preamp in the works. 

I would suggest changing the volume indicator LED color to green, just so everything else matches.  An internal jumper to toggle between blue and green LEDs would be nice.  Overall, very nice to see thet addition of a volume indication; it's very similar to what Audio Research did. 

Also, I would suggest dropping the display.  I recently had a piece of gear (~ $2,500 USD) from another high-end manufacture, and the display did not age well.  When your scrolled through the inputs, there were variations in brightness, that ranged between entire letters to some random pixels if that makes sense.  Maybe bring over the LEDs from the BDA2 and 3 to indicate lock, sample rate, etc.?  With that said, there would be even more lights on the front, so it's good to see there's a dimming option.  Adding the ability to have the unit go totally dark expect for the power LED would be great.  I have always liked the minimal lighting on my Bryston gear - the BDP series needs a display so that's okay. 

Lastly, I agree that the headphone jack would be better minus the ring. 

[James Tanner]

Good to see a new preamp in the works. 

I would suggest changing the volume indicator LED color to green, just so everything else matches.  An internal jumper to toggle between blue and green LEDs would be nice.  Overall, very nice to see thet addition of a volume indication; it's very similar to what Audio Research did. 

Also, I would suggest dropping the display.  I recently had a piece of gear (~ $2,500 USD) from another high-end manufacture, and the display did not age well.  When your scrolled through the inputs, there were variations in brightness, that ranged between entire letters to some random pixels if that makes sense.  Maybe bring over the LEDs from the BDA2 and 3 to indicate lock, sample rate, etc.?  With that said, there would be even more lights on the front, so it's good to see there's a dimming option.  Adding the ability to have the unit go totally dark expect for the power LED would be great.  I have always liked the minimal lighting on my Bryston gear - the BDP series needs a display so that's okay. 

Lastly, I agree that the headphone jack would be better minus the ring.

Hi

Yes the display is very expensive but we researched it a lot and this one should last a very long time.  The BP18 has a multitude of features so the display is really necessary. You can turn it down in brightness level or turn it completely off if you wish and you can also turn the LED's off or down in intensity as well.

james

[techguy0192]

Hi

Yes the display is very expensive but we researched it a lot and this one should last a very long time.  The BP18 has a multitude of features so the display is really necessary. You can turn it down in brightness level or turn it completely off if you wish and you can also turn the LED's off or down in intensity as well.

james

Excellent.  Bryston thinks of everything.  Knowing some people leave gear on 24/7 any concerns with displays dimming/failing 10+ years down the road?

A modular DAC section would also be a big win to future proof. 

[James Tanner]

Rear of my unit:




Modular Design

Digital inputs:
2 Toslink
2 Spdif
2 AES
1 USB
4 HDMI
1 Pi4
 
Analog Inputs:
2x RCA (1 can be phono)
2x XLR
 
Analog outputs:
2 Pair x XLR
 
Analog volume control, digitally controlled.

[bacmsl]

Any network capabilities for internet? Wireless Wi-Fi?

[James Tanner]

Any network capabilities for internet? Wireless Wi-Fi?

Hi

Yes 2 Ethernet connections - one for software updates and service and one for network attachment. I have mine hooked up to my NAS as well as a Thumbdrive on the Pi. Currently using my Ipad for control.

james

[alexone]

...nice one, James! only the led around the volume knob are not my favourites...
however, does the 18 has a bypass?

thanks,

al.

[James Tanner]

Guts

[alexone]

...no digital outs, correct??

al.