[headshrinker2]

I'm surfing the internet while waiting for treak-or-treaters...

I was interested to come across the following reaction in the Absolute Sound review of the BDP-1:

"I much preferred the BDP-1’s S/PDIF output. When terminated with 75-ohm BNC connectors, coaxial S/PDIF cables can maintain a true constant-impedance transmission line from source to load, which is simply not possible through the XLR connectors that necessarily compromise AES/EBU circuits. While the BDP-1’s AES/EBU output sounds as good as I’ve heard from this format, it marginally flattens instrumental dimensionality, foreshortens depth, truncates note decay, and homogenizes textures compared with the superb S/PDIF output."

[James Tanner]

I'm surfing the internet while waiting for treak-or-treaters...

I was interested to come across the following reaction in the Absolute Sound review of the BDP-1:

"I much preferred the BDP-1’s S/PDIF output. When terminated with 75-ohm BNC connectors, coaxial S/PDIF cables can maintain a true constant-impedance transmission line from source to load, which is simply not possible through the XLR connectors that necessarily compromise AES/EBU circuits. While the BDP-1’s AES/EBU output sounds as good as I’ve heard from this format, it marginally flattens instrumental dimensionality, foreshortens depth, truncates note decay, and homogenizes textures compared with the superb S/PDIF output."

Disagree

James

[zybar]

Disagree

James

I agree with James.

Best sound to date for me is using the AES/EBU with a Morrow Audio dig4 xlr cable.

George

[headshrinker2]

James,
You can't disagree AND give a thumbs up!  Just not right....   

Disagree

James

[Phil A]

The review is here: - http://www.avguide.com/review/bryston-bdp-1-digital-player-tas-215

The comments were made on page 4.  I'll have to ask Karl when I see him.  He has indicated in the past that he prefers coax vs. XLR on other things so it is not surprising to me knowing him for a long time and his tastes.  I exchanged E-Mails with him last week about my new PC and to remind him I still have an amp of his I'm not using.  If I had known he was reviewing it, I would have bugged him to bring it over.

[SHV]

"While the BDP-1’s AES/EBU output sounds as good as I’ve heard from this format, it marginally flattens instrumental dimensionality, foreshortens depth, truncates note decay, and homogenizes textures compared with the superb S/PDIF output."
*******
I agree.  I especially hear foreshortened and truncated notes on Tuesday and Thursday.   However, when a cat, especially Lola,  is sitting on top of the BDP-1, dimensionality seems to improve; perhaps EMF effects on the coax induced by static charge on fur???

Steve

[BrysTony]

"While the BDP-1’s AES/EBU output sounds as good as I’ve heard from this format, it marginally flattens instrumental dimensionality, foreshortens depth, truncates note decay, and homogenizes textures compared with the superb S/PDIF output."
*******
I agree.  I especially hear foreshortened and truncated notes on Tuesday and Thursday.   However, when a cat, especially Lola,  is sitting on top of the BDP-1, dimensionality seems to improve; perhaps EMF effects on the coax induced by static charge on fur???

Steve

    You may be on to something!

Tony

[James Tanner]

James,
You can't disagree AND give a thumbs up!  Just not right....   

No I give the thumbs up because depending on the system you may prefer BNC to AES.   At RMAF show I had the BNC and the AES both connected in our demo room on the PMC speakers and we did a few blind tests. The AES sounded a bit more spacial and slightly more forward in presentation whereas the BNC was a bit more laid back in soundstage presentation and a little less air around instruments.

So I think with a lot of gear when you get to this level you may choose one presentation over another based on how the rest of the system integrates and your personal preferences

James

[jjc1]

I'm surfing the internet while waiting for treak-or-treaters...

I was interested to come across the following reaction in the Absolute Sound review of the BDP-1:

"I much preferred the BDP-1’s S/PDIF output. When terminated with 75-ohm BNC connectors, coaxial S/PDIF cables can maintain a true constant-impedance transmission line from source to load, which is simply not possible through the XLR connectors that necessarily compromise AES/EBU circuits. While the BDP-1’s AES/EBU output sounds as good as I’ve heard from this format, it marginally flattens instrumental dimensionality, foreshortens depth, truncates note decay, and homogenizes textures compared with the superb S/PDIF output."

  There has been quite a bit about this subject already on A.C. Check out some of the threads. I personally spent a couple of weeks comparing both connections and reported my thoughts on the thread "S/PDIF vs. AES/EUB connections for the BDP1" . I think you'll be enlightened if you do a little searching.

[headshrinker2]

Hey jjc1,
Thanks for the reply.  Both before and after I purchased my BDP-1, I read all related AC threads.  I am a great believer in learning from those who have tread before me! 

While we all have our personal preferences (including the magazine reviewer), and many of these decisions are system/room dependent, I found the reviewer's comments to be detailed and substantive.  That is why his comments about S/PDIF and AES/EBU caught my attention, and why I shared them here. 

  There has been quite a bit about this subject already on A.C. Check out some of the threads. I personally spent a couple of weeks comparing both connections and reported my thoughts on the thread "S/PDIF vs. AES/EUB connections for the BDP1" . I think you'll be enlightened if you do a little searching.

[fado]

What brand & model of cable(s) did Mr. Tanner use at RMAF:
 - for the AES connection

 - for the BNC connection

[James Tanner]

What brand & model of cable(s) did Mr. Tanner use at RMAF:
 - for the AES connection

 - for the BNC connection

Hi fado,

I used our own Bryston cables.

james