[jeffjensen]

I dislike this internal conflict I have with SP-n vs BDA-n.  I currently have an SP2 and wonder about having a BDA-2, but a part of the SP2 is the DAC.  I don't appreciate the duplication or paying for that feature twice, even though the BDA-2 is superior to the SP-2's DAC.

Creating and supporting multiple DACs like this also has additional expense that I think Bryston would want to reduce/eliminate over time.

I have concluded my wish is for a SP without a DAC, basically a 5.1/7.1 preamp, to pair with the BDA.  Not sure this is feasible with how a DAC fits in the path.

Is this type of product in the Bryston plans?  Is this the next SP evolutionary step?  Or "fergitaboudit"!

[Grit]

I think that'd be tough. 2ch DACs don't have to  licensing fees to decode Dolby and DTS multi-channel formats. I think you would end up with a very expensive multi-channel DAC that most people wouldn't need. For HT purposes, I don't really think an amazing DAC does much better than one that is just very good. I find that reproducing music can make differences in DACs stand out though.

[jeffjensen]

I think that'd be tough. 2ch DACs don't have to  licensing fees to decode Dolby and DTS multi-channel formats. I think you would end up with a very expensive multi-channel DAC that most people wouldn't need. For HT purposes, I don't really think an amazing DAC does much better than one that is just very good. I find that reproducing music can make differences in DACs stand out though.

I tend to listen to most music in surround mode these days.  Yes, I know, OMG the horrors (I don't need any scolding on that... !  I listen to a wide variety of music.  Techno/trance sounds phenomenal in surround (especially with the speed of the Maggies)!  Sometimes, for certain styles or older recordings, I listen in 2ch.

I had a BDA-1 for a couple of weeks - it's analog out to my SP.  Sounded great, of course.  That approach completely ignores the DAC part of the SP.  That's the duplication I'm referring to.

So I'm not interested in a 2ch DAC.  I just want the latest/greatest full DAC from Bryston, and a surround preamp to pair with it...  i.e. BDA-2 + multichannel BP26.  Then I can upgrade each as available and not worry about "which is better" and partial duplications of purchase.

Perhaps I'm alone in this product interest - I love movies and music, and really enjoy HT.  I was hoping to learn the Bryston strategy for their surround product plans with BDA.

[techguy]

Jeffjensen,

I think the product you need and referring to is Bryston's SP3.   It does everything you refer to and more.    Unfortunately it's also much more expensive.

I went from an SP2 to an SP3 a couple of years ago now and the difference in audio quality for both analog and digital is significant.   I got rid of my BDA when I got my SP3 as well and the SP3's digital section is very similar to the BDA in quality.   

The BDA is for a different market that wants to stay 2-channel and the BDA-2 is finally improved with the new ASYNCH USB DAC input.   This is the only thing missing from the SP3 that should have been there from day 1.    it's now available as a separate device from Bryston.   Too expensive for the overall package.

The audio quality of the SP3 especially with HDMI blu-ray high-res audio sources is better than anything I've heard out here.   Firmware quality on the unit was not very good at the start but after 2 years it's now working quite well.