[Renato6]

Hello

I am looking for advice to help build my system a step at a time.
I have a BP-6 (looking to eventually move to a BP26) and a 3B SST. I am currently using a MacBook Pro (with iTunes)  connected to the BP6 via a y-cable from the headphone port on the MB Pro.
Ideally I would like to add a BDA3 and a BDP2.

My question is, what are the logical steps to get there? Do I purchase the BDA first and connect my MacPro to it and then swap out the BDP for the MB Pro when I get it?

If that is the case what is the best way to connect the MB Pro to the BDA?

Thanks

[Mag]

Hello

I am looking for advice to help build my system a step at a time.
I have a BP-6 (looking to eventually move to a BP26) and a 3B SST. I am currently using a MacBook Pro (with iTunes)  connected to the BP6 via a y-cable from the headphone port on the MB Pro.
Ideally I would like to add a BDA3 and a BDP2.

My question is, what are the logical steps to get there? Do I purchase the BDA first and connect my MacPro to it and then swap out the BDP for the MB Pro when I get it?

If that is the case what is the best way to connect the MB Pro to the BDA?

Thanks

I would upgrade the DAC first BDA-1,2 or 3.

Not familiar with MacBook but if it has a good soundcard and the itunes media player is good, you'll have a high quality source, connected by USB port if it has one.

The BDP will give you refined sound but you can live without it for the time being.

[Renato6]

I would upgrade the DAC first BDA-1,2 or 3.

Not familiar with MacBook but if it has a good soundcard and the itunes media player is good, you'll have a high quality source, connected by USB port if it has one.

The BDP will give you refined sound but you can live without it for the time being.

Great, thanks, I figured that the DAC is the way to start.
Has anyone connected a MacBook to a BDA 2 or 3? If so what are the recommended cables and ports to use.

[avta]

I don't think you will have a problem using the usb connection of the MacBook to any dac that has a usb input. I use a Mac Mini usb connection to an Ayre dac. I'm currently using an Audioquest Carbon USB cable. Their cables are popular and come in a variety of prices.

[James Tanner]

Hello

I am looking for advice to help build my system a step at a time.
I have a BP-6 (looking to eventually move to a BP26) and a 3B SST. I am currently using a MacBook Pro (with iTunes)  connected to the BP6 via a y-cable from the headphone port on the MB Pro.
Ideally I would like to add a BDA3 and a BDP2.

My question is, what are the logical steps to get there? Do I purchase the BDA first and connect my MacPro to it and then swap out the BDP for the MB Pro when I get it?

If that is the case what is the best way to connect the MB Pro to the BDA?

Thanks

Hi

I have a MACBOOK Pro as well and I would recommend the BDP-2 as it has a USB ASYNC input which removes a lot of the issues with laptops. The BDP-1 does not have that feature so the BDP2 would be the best choice.  The BDP-3 is still a ways away but it will also have the ASYNC USB.

The advantage of a USB ASYNC input is the computer is only used as the management system for your files - the clocking etc is control by the BDP2 so the quality is much higher - it also bypasses the soundcard in the laptop computer as well which typically are not all the great.

james

[Renato6]

Hi

I have a MACBOOK Pro as well and I would recommend the BDP-2 as it has a USB ASYNC input which removes a lot of the issues with laptops. The BDP-1 does not have that feature so the BDP2 would be the best choice.  The BDP-3 is still a ways away but it will also have the ASYNC USB.

The advantage of a USB ASYNC input is the computer is only used as the management system for your files - the clocking etc is control by the BDP2 so the quality is much higher.

james

Great thanks. So yes the goal is to have both. I guess I just wanted to confirm the proper order to build this system since I will likely buy either the BDA or BPD one at a time. 
Once I get the BDA2 or 3 what is the best way to connect that to the MacBook? Just USB or using the headphone port which I believe you can use a SDIF cable with?

[James Tanner]

Great thanks. So yes the goal is to have both. I guess I just wanted to confirm the proper order to build this system since I will likely buy either the BDA or BPD one at a time. 
Once I get the BDA2 or 3 what is the best way to connect that to the MacBook? Just USB or using the headphone port which I believe you can use a SDIF cable with?

HI

Definitely use the USB with the laptop. With the BDP2 use the AES EBU or the BNC.

james

[Renato6]

HI

Definitely use the USB with the laptop. With the BDP2 use the AES EBU or the BNC.

james

I notice that the MB Pro has a SPDIF Digital Audio Out. and the BDA-2 has SPDIF input. Is that preferable to USB?

I am assuming that once I have the BDP and BDA combo,  I will use AES EBU between them and then the single ended connection between the BDA and the BP6. That is until I get my BP26!! 

[James Tanner]

I notice that the MB Pro has a SPDIF Digital Audio Out. and the BDA-2 has SPDIF input. Is that preferable to USB?

I am assuming that once I have the BDP and BDA combo,  I will use AES EBU between them and then the single ended connection between the BDA and the BP6. That is until I get my BP26!! 

Hi

It would depend on the quality of the sound card in the MAC and its resolution capability (192/24?)

james

[srb]

I notice that the MB Pro has a SPDIF Digital Audio Out. and the BDA-2 has SPDIF input. Is that preferable to USB?

The MB Pro S/PDIF is an optical Toslink connection and myself (and the majority of users) prefer coaxial RCA or BNC for S/PDIF connections, using optical only when there is no other choice.

As James points out, using USB will bypass the MB internal soundcard and the Apple optical Toslink interfaces usually have higher measureable jitter than other interfaces.

Steve

[Rod_S]

...

The BDP-3 is still a ways away but it will also have the ASYNC USB.
...
james

Spelling mistake? Assuming you meant to type BDA-3?? If not this is the 1st we have seen mention of a BDP-3 anywhere, care to provide more details if true?

[James Tanner]

Hi Rod,

We showed a prototype of the BDA-3 in October at the Toronto Audio Show and sent out an announcement at that time to all our dealers/distributors and anyone on our Bryston News list. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=129860.0

Send me an email and I can send you the preliminary cut sheet.  - jamestanner@bryston.com.

I also added it to the BDA-2 DAC thread on the LOCKED area of the forum at the same time. Essentially the BDA 3 adds DSD to the mix as well as HDMI.  We are still a few months away from release.

james

[Rod_S]

Hi Rod,

We showed a prototype of the BDA-3 in October at the Toronto Audio Show and sent out an announcement at that time to all our dealers/distributors and anyone on our Bryston News list. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=129860.0

Send me an email and I can send you the preliminary cut sheet.  - jamestanner@bryston.com.

I also added it to the BDA-2 DAC thread on the LOCKED area of the forum at the same time. Essentially the BDA 3 adds DSD to the mix as well as HDMI.  We are still a few months away from release.

james

Hi;

So it was the BDA-3 you were referring to and not a BDP-3. You got me all exicted for nothing

I already seen the prelim stuff on the BDA-3 so I'm good, thanks

[James Tanner]

Hi;

So it was the BDA-3 you were referring to and not a BDP-3. You got me all exicted for nothing

I already seen the prelim stuff on the BDA-3 so I'm good, thanks

Oh sorry I misread that - there are no plans for a BDP-3 as the BDP-2 has more than enough capability going forward.

james

[Renato6]

Thanks all... looks like a decent quality USB is the way to go between the MacBook and BDA 2 or 3 until I get the BDP.

Much appreciated.

[superC]

James - you mentioned that the BDP 2 has a USB async input - could I connect my MacBook and play music from iTunes through the BDP2?  I would be running into the internal DAC of a B100.  Trying to decide re a BUC1 vs BDP2 - the cost of the BUC1 is very compelling but want something that gives me the best performance - want this to be an investment and somewhat future proof (as much as that is possible....)

Thanks

Chris

[James Tanner]

James - you mentioned that the BDP 2 has a USB async input - could I connect my MacBook and play music from iTunes through the BDP2?  I would be running into the internal DAC of a B100.  Trying to decide re a BUC1 vs BDP2 - the cost of the BUC1 is very compelling but want something that gives me the best performance - want this to be an investment and somewhat future proof (as much as that is possible....)

Thanks

Chris

Hi Chris

I assume you mean a BDA-2 DAC not a BDP-2 Player?

james

[superC]

James - was referring to your post #4 - attached here - says BDP2 - which caught my attention - I suspect you meant BDA2?  Is that correct?

Thanks

Chris


"Hi

I have a MACBOOK Pro as well and I would recommend the BDP-2 as it has a USB ASYNC input which removes a lot of the issues with laptops. The BDP-1 does not have that feature so the BDP2 would be the best choice.  The BDP-3 is still a ways away but it will also have the ASYNC USB.

The advantage of a USB ASYNC input is the computer is only used as the management system for your files - the clocking etc is control by the BDP2 so the quality is much higher - it also bypasses the soundcard in the laptop computer as well which typically are not all the great.

james "

[James Tanner]

Yes sorry I meant the BDA2 has the async as does the BUC 1.

james

[superC]

No worries James - thank you.  Appreciate your help.  Keep up the good work.

Cheers....Chris