Halloo, fellow audio questers:
I find the BOT endeavor quite interesting. Clearly it's in the early prototype stages, but it's exciting to consider the many directions the project may take, from CD-only to an Oppo-style "I eat all shiny discs" player. Most of us likely still have substantial CD libraries, and there are fewer high-quality dedicated players available than heretofore, so CD-only makes sense to me. If the project expands to Blu-ray audio and other formats, that's fine, too. Consider the niche of high-end CD transports. Most of them are esoterica, near-stratospheric in cost. My guess is that the BOT will develop into a high-value product that will suit many audiophiles. By high-value, I don't mean inexpensive products, but pieces with quality parts, efficient and effective design, and a great deal of cogent thought behind them. In my view, Bryston products are designed not only for long-term service but for long-term satisfaction.
Certainly one can rip an entire collection to the computer, and many of us will have done so, but I still find it convenient and pleasurable to select, load, play, and enjoy a CD from the shelves of my collection. It's clear that, for most people outside our hobby, listening habits have changed, and that music has become a mere background to other activities. Those of us on this forum have likely committed the time recently to listening to . . . gasp . . . an entire album. We have so valued the music, the performer(s), and the quality of audio reproduction of that event to commit a portion of our only nonrecoverable asset (time) to achieve a pleasurable and fulfilling experience.
One of the things I admire greatly about Bryston, especially recently, is their innovation. Much like during the Steve Jobs era at Apple, their leaders build the product that they want, the product that excites their passion. It doesn't need to encompass everyone's extensive wish list, to wit the SP3. Rather, the product represents a clear commitment to a philosophy that reveres and celebrates quality sound. For me, this is an expression of integrity, and I trust that the Bryston family will develop something that many of us will enjoy. It won't be a product for everyone, and as several forum members have noted eloquently, it will not meet their interests or needs. But that's why Bryston isn't a big-box store brand. When one looks at Bryston's product range, there's enough diversity for all of us to get excited by at least some of the products, the ones that fit our circumstances. I'm sure the development of the BOT will pique our interests, and I look forward to the insights that the participants in this forum will provide.
Cheerio,
Rich
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Whiney Napa Valley
Eschew obfuscation.
