[clewlor]

Hi all,

I am thinking about getting a DAC for playing music off my Macbook Pro, and given that I have a 4BSST and have been impressed with its quality, I have been reading a lot about Bryston's BDA-1.  I did have some space considerations that was going to limit my ability to use more components so I planned on using my home theater pre/pro, the Integra DTC-9.8, for this and use the DACs inside of it.  I still need to set up my laptop connection as I don't have a USB to SPDIF cable yet but I have been using a Rotel universal player, the RDV-1092, to listen to CDs (using the coax out to the Integra).

My question is, and I realize that I am asking this in the Bryston forum , what advantage, if any, does using the Bryston BDA-1 provide over using the DACs in my Integra (which I believe are Burr Brown)?  Will it make a difference?  I have read many arguments lately as I have been doing my research that there are no discernible differences between DACs but I do not have the technical knowledge to really understand this.

Also, will I negate any benefit from the BDA-1 by using my Integra as a preamp?

Other system info:  mains are Dynaudio Contour S3.4.  Sub is SVS PC Ultra.  I plan on connecting my Mac to listen to Apple Lossless files via a Halide Bridge.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Chris

[Phil A]

Funny - you should mention the DTC-9.8.  I am going to move from a all-in-one pre/pro to a preamp with HT Bypass.  I picked up a used DTC-9.8 ($600) Saturday afternoon locally from Craigslist (first thing I've bought there - looked by accident).  I'm still hooking up things (and waiting for the preamp) but it is no contest from what I've heard to date vs. the BDA-1.  It's not the DAC chip that makes the difference.  Many things use the same DAC chip at all different price points.  It's other things like the analog output stage, power supplies, etc., make the difference.  My systems are listed in my Gallery.  So far I am really happy with Integra.  I have not intention of doing 3D anytime soon in the main system so it is a good addition for me.

[clewlor]

Thanks for responding, Phil - and good pics!   

What are going to use for a preamp with an HT bypass?  This could be a great solution for me as I think you are right, the DTC, while a great HT performer, doesn't quite have the same analog performance.  It's a great unit and for the price you got it for, an INCREDIBLE value.   

[Phil A]

Thanks for responding, Phil - and good pics!   

What are going to use for a preamp with an HT bypass?  This could be a great solution for me as I think you are right, the DTC, while a great HT performer, doesn't quite have the same analog performance.  It's a great unit and for the price you got it for, an INCREDIBLE value.

Sent you a PM.  Yes - I looked at Craiglist and couldn't believe it.  The guy I bought it from has a HT system and a 3D TV and just wanted HDMI 1.4 so he bought a Marantz 7005.  I figured $600 is a really good deal.

[clewlor]

Thanks for the PM and the comments.  The preamp with bypass mode would be a helpful feature - just have to figure out which one.

Any other comments from others on the BDA-1?  I'm thinking this could be a good step up from the DACs in my Integra but just not sure how much.  Hard to audition right now but I know that 's the best idea to get an idea of how it performs with my equipment and space.

For now, given budget constraints, the stereo preamp may have to wait for awhile.  Therefore, the setup will be the BDA-1 going into the Integra pre/pro via analog cables.  Not ideal but good enough?

[budt]

  I have also been looking at new dacs. I wanted the bryston but the usb doesn't seem to support 24 bit 192 files.Is this correct or am I misreading something?
 If it is correct then how does one play the highest quality hirez files?

[Phil A]

  I have also been looking at new dacs. I wanted the bryston but the usb doesn't seem to support 24 bit 192 files.Is this correct or am I misreading something?
 If it is correct then how does one play the highest quality hirez files?

For now I have the Squeezebox Touch which I got with a coupon and have an upgraded power supply for it and it can do 24/96 hooked to the network.  The new Bryston BDP-1 can do 24/192.  You also do lots of things like an HDMI audio de-embedder with an SACD player.

[Stu Pitt]

You can do as Phil suggested, or you can get an M2Tech HiFace, which will convert USB to high-res (asynch?) coax.  James and Co. used it during a demo if I'm not mistaking.

[HooStat]

I have the Integra 9.9 and the BDA-1.  I can't hear any difference between them when A/B comparisons are made.  I am planning on selling my BDA1.  Using just one preamp is a lot simpler for the family, it has great bass management and flexibility, and I don't see any benefits to justify the cost.  (all comparisons made to 2-channel CD and high resolution DVD).

Note that it is certainly possible that the BDA-1 is better -- I didn't kill myself over the comparison or start swapping cables and doing all of the "audiophile" things people might want to ask about or suggest.  Based on my comparisons, any difference would be subtle, not major.  The Integra is a pretty solid piece of equipment and it does 24/192.

I have a 4BSST2 which I love, and two other Bryston amps.  Love the company.  Love the BDA1.  Just wasn't worth $2k to me.