[zied]

Dear all,
I need your opinions with regards to upgrade options I am investigating. Presently, my system consists of one Bryston 4BSST, one BP25 DA, a pair of PMC IB2 speakers and a mac mini computer. I am examining three options:
First option, upgrade the amp and buy a 14BBST (used - not the SST2).
Second option, buy a BDP-1 and BDA-1 combo to replace the mac mini and the DAC inside the BP25.
Third option, buy an SP2 to replace the BP25DA as, from my understanding, the SP2 is equivalent to the BP26 DAC.
Which option would bring the highest improvement to the sound quality?
I look forward to reading your opinions.

Zied from Lyon – France
Long Life to Bryston

 

[Sasha]

Replacing your present source (mac mini + DA conversion in BP25) with BDP-1 + BDA-1 will without any doubt result in significant performance enhancements, there will be less jitter induced problems, not to mention that BDA-1 is exceptionally well executed converter in all areas that matter, what results in very audible improvements.
On the other hand IB2 powered with 14BSST instead of 4BSST will also show significant benefits in many areas, not only in bass control that is described most commonly as benefit of more power on IB2, but more important to me across the entire range, with better dynamics, larger soundstage and imaging.
I would however go for 2X 7BSST (or SST2) rather than 14B of any version, for a bit more $ you get much better performance.
I had or still have most of the components mentioned, so it is all firsthand experience.
Hard to say what to do first, can you not do both? 

[ec]

Which option would bring the highest improvement to the sound quality?

Firstly, you have put together a very revealing system so with that said.

Room treatments!  If you don't already have them.  Without knowing the room characteristics..... generically I would suggest them in this order:

1. absorbtive material for the first reflections (side walls between the speakers and your chair)
2. bass traps for the corners
from there it really depends on your room.

The good news that won't cost you a fortune.

[Mag]

I vote for second option, BDP, BDA.

[werd]

Probably go with the second option. Eventually with those speakers move up into the sst/2 series in the 7s or 14. The nice thing about the bdp/bda is it suitable for all system types. So if you decide to down size your speakers and amps you still have and excellent frontend. So it allows for some versatility as you move forward. You haven't dedicated the system to a certain type yet while still moving forward in upgrades at this point.

If you are certain that the speakers will remain its a close call with trading up your amplification. I know the prices are alot different in Europe but a new sst/2 is where you want to eventually end up.

[mkaiser]

Look at room treatments first before spending more on electronics..... you already have a good system. Room treatment is the most overlooked area of fine tuning your system. You'll be pleasantly surprised and so will your wallet. 

Mark

[DaveNote]

Dear all,
I need your opinions with regards to upgrade options I am investigating. Presently, my system consists of one Bryston 4BSST, one BP25 DA, a pair of PMC IB2 speakers and a mac mini computer. I am examining three options:
First option, upgrade the amp and buy a 14BBST (used - not the SST2).
Second option, buy a BDP-1 and BDA-1 combo to replace the mac mini and the DAC inside the BP25.
Third option, buy an SP2 to replace the BP25DA as, from my understanding, the SP2 is equivalent to the BP26 DAC.
Which option would bring the highest improvement to the sound quality?
I look forward to reading your opinions.

Zied from Lyon – France
Long Life to Bryston

I've owned a system like yours, including the IB2 speakers. I agree with others that option two - BDA-1 plus BDP-1 - is likely to be the best of the options you have given.

But knowing now what I did not know when I had your system, and having used MB2i speakers and 7BSST2s, if I were going from the 4BSST, BP25DA, IB2, I would opt for a cheaper alternative, Axiom M80 speakers first, and then buy the BDA-1/BDP-1 combination finances permitting.

See: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106431.0

Dave

[PRELUDE]

Replacing your present source (mac mini + DA conversion in BP25) with BDP-1 + BDA-1 will without any doubt result in significant performance enhancements, there will be less jitter induced problems, not to mention that BDA-1 is exceptionally well executed converter in all areas that matter, what results in very audible improvements.
On the other hand IB2 powered with 14BSST instead of 4BSST will also show significant benefits in many areas, not only in bass control that is described most commonly as benefit of more power on IB2, but more important to me across the entire range, with better dynamics, larger soundstage and imaging.
I would however go for 2X 7BSST (or SST2) rather than 14B of any version, for a bit more $ you get much better performance.
I had or still have most of the components mentioned, so it is all firsthand experience.
Hard to say what to do first, can you not do both? 

+1. But If I were you and had to buy the amp used then I would look for the amp first when I got the money in my hand.The BDP-1 and BDA-1 are newer and you can get it any time unless you can get them all at same time.

[vegasdave]

Go with the bigger amp. Then replace the PMCs with ATCs SCM 100 or SCM 150s.

[drummermitchell]

As I was bad for purchasing gear first(and I did it very well indeed),I believe bass traps and first reflection points will give you a huge upgrade.I wish I had done it sooner as it's quite shocking how a few panels can give a major boost in sound quality,Gik comes to mind and the price is right 6-800 would set you up nice.
I have just about all the gear I need ,and trapping.All's left is the SP-3 and BDP-1 as I have the DAC.
Hell buy the BDP-1 and DAC and fork over a bit more for some panels,just a couple of extra days work .

[Bobby_b]

Go with the pmc's dude I have the atc scm 50 '' & 150 and recently got the b&w diamonds and pmc bb5. Going to sell the atc's..

[vegasdave]

Go with the pmc's dude I have the atc scm 50 '' & 150 and recently got the b&w diamonds and pmc bb5. Going to sell the atc's..

What didn't you like about the ATCs. I never heard anyone say B&W and PMC were better than ATC. Or are you just giving me a hard time?

[zied]

Thank you all for your replies. In sum, what you are suggesting is first to buy a BDP+BDA combo, then to upgrade the amp and do some room treatments. I will do that as soon as an interesting opportunity arises on the used market. New Byston products are very expensive in France.

Sash, I do not understand why a pair of 7BSST would be a better solution than a 14BSST? I thought that these two amps are equivalent in design and performance.

Also, it is Interesting that no body suggested upgrading to the SP2. Can we safely say that the SP2 is identical to the BP26 (with the external power supply)? Does the SP2 sounds better in 2 channels than the BB25DA?
Thanks once again for all your help

Long life to Bryston

[Mag]

The SP2 is if you're interested in Home Theatre or multi-channel playback.
I only use the analog section with the BDA-1 which is better than the dsp on the SP2.

IMO the BDP & BDA will give you the most noticeable improvement. You can upgrade the other stuff later.

If there was a fire, heaven forbid, I would grab the BDA first the SP2 second if I have time. Because these two units for me would be the foundation to another system if I had to start from scratch.

[Sasha]

Sash, I do not understand why a pair of 7BSST would be a better solution than a 14BSST? I thought that these two amps are equivalent in design and performance.

7B and 14B are not the same, there is significant difference in PSU capacity.

[1oldguy]

Next upgrade will be a New woman....with the age,size and weight to properly fit into the living room decor.

[redbook]

  Good one...........

[zied]

Thank you very much for your help.

[SHV]

Next upgrade will be a New woman....with the age,size and weight to properly fit into the living room decor.

Did that but stocked up on the new toys first!

Steve

[zied]

Thank you Sasha and Mag.
In your opinion, which solution would be better for my PMC IB2: (1) 14BSST or (2) pair of 4BSST (bi-amp) ?