Hi Al,
Here is the info from our literature that discusses the reason we went the way we did on the BDP-1:
Many digital playback systems incorporate an ‘all in one’ approach to digital playback where the computer has the operating system (EX: Windows or Mac), the video interface, the CD ripper/player, the motherboard, the soundcard and the DAC’s contained in one chassis. (Think of this approach more as an audio ‘receiver’ rather than the more performance oriented approach of independent tuner, preamplifier and power amplifier in order to optimize performance in each specific area. This receiver approach is fine for what it is as it allows for a very easy solution for someone who is looking for ease of use. The problem is the performance suffers due to issues of noise and distortion created by this all in one approach. The computer is a great tool for searching and downloading content, but it may become a cumbersome tool for playback of quality content. The Bryston BDP-1 Digital Player is much easier to use in practice than a typical multipurpose desktop interface.
We addressed this process differently. We broke the different tasks apart and dedicated our efforts on the stages that we can bring the most value and performance to. We also felt (in the tradition of component audio) that a dedicated one-function device can do a task much better than the “Swiss Army Knife” personal computer approach …example our BDA-1 DAC. All in one music servers have serious issues with noise and distortion so our approach is to totally separate the 'digital processing' side of the procedure (playing music files) from the 'data management' (storage, handling, ripping etc.) side of the equation. The Bryston BDP-1 Digital Players single function is to play high-resolution digital music files without compromise using a USB drive. The BDP-1 does not contain a hard-drive (no moving parts) or streamer or CD player or ripper, or noisy fans and switching power supplies
To do this most efficiently, we use a Linux operating system optimized in ways only possible in Linux to provide the highest quality audio performance. Its mainboard is of industrial quality that uses only a small amount of its computing power. The Bryston modified soundcard is one of the finest available and the AES-EBU Balanced and BNC (spdif) output section provides for the highest possible performance when connected to the AES-EBU, BNC or COAX input on the Bryston BDA-1 external DAC. We also incorporate electronic isolation of audio components from computer components and use galvanic isolation to isolate and avoid charge-carrying particles moving from one section to another.
The Bryston BDP-1 Player focuses ‘only’ on playing high resolution files and will support 16 bit and 24 bit files with the following sample rates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz, 176.4KHz & 192KHz. It accesses these digital files from a USB device – either thumb-drive or hard-drive (the CD of the 21’st century).
Obviously it is up to the listener to decide if any of this matters of course!
james
