[Alphonse]

I just read the one box setup thread and did not want to highjack it. So...... I would definitely be interested in a one box Dac Pre like a BDA-3 with pre output, volume in the analogue or digital domain. For example the NAD M51 has digital only inputs including HDMI with digital domain volume control. The NAD M12 takes it a step further with a modular card based future proofing approach (A good thing considering the moving target that HDMI and HDCP are right now). I do not have any analogue sources anymore, just digital. Right now I am actually using my OPPO 105 as a player/dac/pre going directly to my PP300s and it sounds good. And it has digital inputs. I have my Apple TV connected via the HDMI input of the 105. The claim with the 32 bit dacs is that you do not loose bits at lower volume when implemented in the digital domain. I do not know about that technically speaking, but like I say, the 105 direct to the PP300s sounds good to me. Could it sound better with a Bryston quality preamp output section built in?

James, is this something have considered or would consider?

Thanks, Al

[JLM]

The website Audio Stream (a spin off of Stereophile magazine) is focused largely on desktop systems and so has lots of reviews for DAC/pre-amp/headphone-amps, with Stereophile like A, B, and C ratings and prices from $189 to $5495.  No Bryston (maybe they've left that for Stereophile).

[James Tanner]

I just read the one box setup thread and did not want to highjack it. So...... I would definitely be interested in a one box Dac Pre like a BDA-3 with pre output, volume in the analogue or digital domain. For example the NAD M51 has digital only inputs including HDMI with digital domain volume control. The NAD M12 takes it a step further with a modular card based future proofing approach (A good thing considering the moving target that HDMI and HDCP are right now). I do not have any analogue sources anymore, just digital. Right now I am actually using my OPPO 105 as a player/dac/pre going directly to my PP300s and it sounds good. And it has digital inputs. I have my Apple TV connected via the HDMI input of the 105. The claim with the 32 bit dacs is that you do not loose bits at lower volume when implemented in the digital domain. I do not know about that technically speaking, but like I say, the 105 direct to the PP300s sounds good to me. Could it sound better with a Bryston quality preamp output section built in?

James, is this something have considered or would consider?

Thanks, Al

Hi Al

Yes we have thought about a preamp that would have a combination of the Bryston DAC and the BP26 preamp in one product.  We will look at that going forward as I think some analog inputs would be desirable as turntables are making a major comeback in a lot of our customers systems.

james

[Phil A]

Some of the DAC/pre products out there have had analog inputs (where one could input a phono stage for example).  There are also integrated amps with built in DACs.  I don't have analog sources either at this point but do have 3 systems each with separate preamps and two with DACs.  A DAC/Pre (of good quality or an integrated amp with a DAC) could be something of potential interest to me in one secondary system as I have limited rack space.

[Rod_S]

Hi Al

Yes we have thought about a preamp that would have a combination of the Bryston DAC and the BP26 preamp in one product.  We will look at that going forward as I think some analog inputs would be desirable as turntables are making a major comeback in a lot of our customers systems.

james

So would this basically be a DAC with a volume control, ala say the Theta Generation VIII Series 3?

[Rod_S]

It would be nice when you eventually come out with a SP4 that you allow the option of bypassing the internal DACs by connecting digitally to high end external DACs like say the BDA2/BDA3 for the ultimate performance but maintain volume control in the SP4, that or introudce a DAC with built in volume that could be synced by/to the SP4 similiarly to what Theta Digital can do with it's CB and Gen VIII.

The high end DAC side of the business has pretty much existed exclusively for the 2 channel world and never workd it's way into the multi-channel world. Theta changed that and it would be cool if this ability carried over to other manufacturers.

I have to think that the DACs in the SP3 for example are not as good as the standalone BDA units?

[James Tanner]

So would this basically be a DAC with a volume control, ala say the Theta Generation VIII Series 3?

It would be a DAC and an analog preamp in one.

james

[mv]

It would be a DAC and an analog preamp in one.

james

Why not DAC and an amp?

And possibly even a digital player, i.e., BDP-2 with the new audio device?

[James Tanner]

Why not DAC and an amp?

And possibly even a digital player, i.e., BDP-2 with the new audio device?

HI

It really comes down to how many different products you want in one box and of course the cost of same and the concern about not affecting the performance of the separate units.

james