[zeiter]

All Ipod docks when connected to the Ipod via it's special connector handle the music after it's been processed by the Ipod's internal DAC,, which is not something great. Except the Wadia which bypasses that and takes the music before it is processed by the internal DAC, and then sends it to whatever DAC you have hooked to it. Denon came also with a similar principle, but as far as I know, only available in Europe. There maybe more now , I'm not following up onb that .Now what about the BDP-1 ? Does it bypass the internal DAC of the Ipod when connected by USB , or takes the processed signal ?

[kevin360]

Since I like to live precariously (keeps me alert), I'll step out on another limb and answer your question. The Bryston BDP-1 is a digital device - files in, digital stream out. It would just be plucking the data off the iPod and a downstream DAC would be the only one effectively in your system.

[srb]

iPod docks that extract the digital signal for output into a DAC are quite a bit more common than when the Wadia first appeared.  They are available from a number of manufacturers, including Arcam, Cambridge Audio, Teac, Luxman and Pure, to name a few.

The Pure i-20 is a popular low-cost dock that like some others, contains an internal DAC and gives you the option of either analog output or digital output (both optical and coaxial) to an external DAC.
http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61429&Category=

There is a topic on AudioCircle about the Pure i-20:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=93591.0

As far as the Bryston BDP-1, its USB ports are for the connection of USB thumb drives or USB hard drives, but as far as I know, wouldn't be able to access the music on an iPod/iPhone/iPad.

Steve

[kevin360]

Thanks, srb, for the correction. Since I don't live in the iWorld, I stupidly assumed an iPod might look like so many other USB devices do to a computer, but the iWorld isn't that open, is it?

[srb]

Some of the older iPods could be put into a hard disk mode, and those could possibly be accessed by the BDP-1 much like any other USB drive, but that feature doesn't exist on the newer iPods.

The iPad can be connected to a USB Camera Connection Kit cable, which can be used to send digital iPad content (controlled and played back by the iPad) to an external USB DAC, but again, I don't think it would have any functionality with the BDP-1.

Steve

[ted_b]

All Ipod docks when connected to the Ipod via it's special connector handle the music after it's been processed by the Ipod's internal DAC,, which is not something great. Except the Wadia which bypasses that and takes the music before it is processed by the internal DAC, and then sends it to whatever DAC you have hooked to it. Denon came also with a similar principle, but as far as I know, only available in Europe. There maybe more now , I'm not following up onb that .Now what about the BDP-1 ? Does it bypass the internal DAC of the Ipod when connected by USB , or takes the processed signal ?

Zeiter, I think you don't understand the BDP-1.  There is NO connection between a BDP-1 and an ipod.  The BDP-1 is a player, and uses it's USB ports as USB inputs for local music files on local hard drives, period (and now there are updates that allow NAS file serving too).  If you want to use your ipod and send its digital data to your own external DAC the BDP-1 is not involved.  Buy a Pure I-20 for like $99 and use it.

[zeiter]

I wasn't even aware that the BDP-1 does not connect to an Ipod. I thought being a digital player, anything plugged in USB will work. My question was out of curiosity, and also let's say a friend comes in with his Ipod and you want to just plug it in and listen to his library , well now I know whith the BDP-1, it won't work.

[saveloy]

A while back, James did ask whether iPod connectivity would be something we might be interested in.
As he described the BDP-1 would see the iPod as a USB device, so just another hard drive.  I think it would make for a good party trick, but no more. 

Kyri

[Marius]

You might want to check page 106 of http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/the-absolute-sound-guide-digital-source-components-2012 Apparently the Nuforce iDo does what you're looking for, and does it well.

Otah: Im having a hard time believing what is stated in page 74 about the huge sonic differences between the BDA1 and dCS Debussy. Ymmv.

Cheers,
Marius