[shaun666]

Hi all,

I’m currently using BDA-3.14 / 4B3.

Would there be a significant improvement in sound quality if I replaced the BDA-3.14 with a new BR-20?

Many thanks

Shaun

[James Tanner]

Hi Shaun

From a Streaming and DAC perspective no difference.  From a Preamp perspective a totally new fully balanced circuit design.

james

[shaun666]

Hi James,

At the moment I’m using the 3.14 digital volume control, whereas the BR-20 offers an analogue volume

Does this mean the BR-20 clearer, more detailed sound at lower volume levels than the 3.14?

Many thanks

Shaun

[James Tanner]

Its a hard question to answer because at this level of performance things are incremental in their differences but I prefer analog volume controls over digital ones because digital volume controls loose bits as you turn  the volume down. 

james

[Nitsuave]

Hi all,

I’m currently using BDA-3.14 / 4B3.

Would there be a significant improvement in sound quality if I replaced the BDA-3.14 with a new BR-20?

Many thanks

Shaun

I replaced a 3.14 with a BR20 earlier this year to connect to my 4B3.
With the BR20, there was an improvement in focus and overall soundstage.

Other benefits were a volume readout, a max volume setting, and it’s HT bypass feature.

[Blueshound]

How does the HT Bypass feature work?

Brian

[alanford69]

Hi Shaun, in my opinion the 4B3 driven by the BR-20 analog preamp section plays in another league and cannot be compared with a digital volume control which is more a workaround not designed for the best audio quality. I own a 4B3 + BR-20 combo and I can tell you they sound in an incredible way.
Additionally, the BR-20 embedded streaming computer is slightly more powerful than the one embedded into the BDA-3.14 but this will not affect the audio quality.

As a cost-effective alternative, why don't you try adding a second-hand BP-17 or BP-26 preamplifier to your system?

[shaun666]

I was thinking about that very same idea, many thanks!

Shaun

[alanford69]

I guess you will not regret in any case but, if you want more information check these posts:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=172721.msg1826702;topicseen#msg1826702

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=172721.msg1920806#msg1920806

[shaun666]

I had a demo of a BR-20/4B3 combination with Sonus Faber loudspeakers with a pal today.

We were both absolutely amazed to hear CD quality recordings that actually sounded better than vinyl in an A/B comparison.

The salesman quickly noticed on to how impressed we were so I got the full Glen Garry/ Glenn Ross SMS sales bombardment after the demo.

The Dutchies know how to close a deal!

I think I probably will buy one and the leave the old record collection as a room decoration

[alanford69]

Happy to hear that! I am not a vinyl fan but it’s true that some albums have a decent dynamic range only in the LP release while on CD they are terribly compressed due to a crazy “loudness war” logic.

But with good recordings… cd quality and hi-res file sound way better!

[shaun666]

After listening to the BR-20 I couldn’t agree more!