[matclain]

Hi there,

New to this forum and need advice on BDP platform. I'm about to pull the trigger on an original BDP-1 at a very good price. It would replace my NAD C545BEE CDP currently connected to Hegel H80 through the integrated DAC. I've tried a mac mini through USB in the past and did not like the harsh sound, so I'm a little anxious to make the move with the BDP.

Is there any difference in component quality between BDP-1 and BDP-1USB beside the missing sound card?

Can the original BDP-1 properly output sound through the USB port with the latest firmware?

What is the recommend connectivity with BDP? HD/SSD connected through powered USB or NAS? NAS would be convenient but I'm afraid the switching power supply will deteriorate the sound quality like I experienced with the mac mini previously.

Thanks in advance for your help, this BDP looks like a great piece of hardware, just want to make sure I won't be a disappointment vs the CDP

Mathieu.

[unincognito]

Hi Mathieu,

The BDP-1 and BDP-1USB are identical with the exception of the afore mentioned missing audio card.  They use the same power supply section, system board and run the same software.  Personally I have found both the sound card (juli@) and the BDA-2 USB interfaceto sound quite identical, but there people that say otherwise.

The benefit of an original BDP-1 is you can compare the audio from the Juli@ card to USB as it support both with new enough software.

My suggestion would be to use a NAS, this offload filesystem reads from the BDP to the NAS and a NAS has the potential for RAID and integrated file backup.

The downside to using a NAS with a BDP-1 is the BDP-1's 100Mb interface, its slower then USB.

Regards to sounds quality, you might want to try comparing playback from both sources.

Finally wouldn't recommend spending extra money on a SSD drive; They may not make any audible noise, but they are made up of billions of transistors that create lots of electrical noise.

Cheers,
Chris

[matclain]

Thx for your reply, this is very helpfull.

[R. Daneel]

Hi!

If I may add to Chris' comments regarding differences in terms of audio, there are none. I did extensive and critical comparisons with my own musical programme and found no difference I can "measure" or experiences I can repeat between the USB and AES/EBU on the BDP-1. What's more, even the BDP-2 with the new BUC board sounds identical. If there are any differences, they are inaudible.

To strengthen my theory, the dealer was kind enough to send me a demo sample of Naim ND5XS which I used to compare it's digital S/PDIF (BNC) output to both BDP-1 and BDP-2 with factory-installed BUC board. The Naim was clearly below the league of Bryston. Naim sounded fine on it's own connected to the DAC but it wasn't the level of detail I was used to. I don't like A-B comparisons but doing one only reinforced my feeling that indeed, Naim sounded slightly veiled but also, in some fashion, rather limited in it's dynamic expression. Quite unexpected I think since I didn't think there would be such a difference between digital transports. But as for BDP-1 and BDP-2, they sounded the same. For all intents and purposes, they are identical.

Uf you don't need conventional digital inputs, by all means go with the BDP-1USB. It will save you some money and will be equally good as either BDP-1 or BDP-2.

I hope this helps!
Cheers!
Antun

[Grit]

Chris,

With respect to introducing electrical noise into the system, what would be your preferred storage method for the BDP-2? Internal or external? HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, etc?

- Garrett

Hi Mathieu,

[...]

Finally wouldn't recommend spending extra money on a SSD drive; They may not make any audible noise, but they are made up of billions of transistors that create lots of electrical noise.

Cheers,
Chris

[unincognito]

Hi Grit,

I store all my music on a separate computer (that uses hard drives) and share it with my BDP's as a network share.  Keeps any EMI that can be away from my stereo system away from my stereo system.  If the BDP is already on the network for control your not subjecting it to any more noise then you already would for just controlling it.  Network jacks used in network interfaces require components to limit/remove noise as well, this is not a requirement for USB or SATA.  Not to mention the other benefits of having my music stored on a "NAS", RAID array with the option for independent backups. 

Cheers,
Chris