bcd1 to a bcd3

noble

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bcd1 to a bcd3
« on: 2 Apr 2026, 10:32 am »
 hi

 can someone advise me if there is a dramatic difference if i were to part with my bcd1 for a bcd3' i have found the latter at half price

 noble

stereoal

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Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #1 on: 2 Apr 2026, 07:59 pm »
I have a BCD-1 and a BCD-3. The BCD-3 is a noticeable improvement over the BCD-1 with more detail. Plus, the BCD-1 seems to have a high failure rate with the disc drive, which cannnot be replaced. If your disc drive dies, you've got a brick. The disc drive in my BCD-1 skips once in a blue moon, so I'm glad I have the BCD-3. With the BCD-1 connected to my BDA-3.14 with an AES-EBU cable, is it's hard to tell the difference between the two players, but without the help of an external DAC, the difference is easy to spot. If you do get the BCD-3, be careful when placing a CD in the tray. It's thin so it's easy for it not to sit properly. And hang on to the remote that came with your BCD-1. It's much better than the remote included with the BCD-3.

Mag

Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #2 on: 2 Apr 2026, 09:13 pm »
Silly me, when I sold my BCD-1 the remote went with it. :duh: Comparing my BDA-1 with the BCD-1 i could not tell the difference when level matched, so that is why I sold the BCD-1.
 I was one of the first to purchase the BCD-3. It is the best source that I have heard. I modify recordings with the BCD-3 and the result IMO is a very refined sounding recording.
  You don't need another dac with the BCD-3, in fact I have to run it through bypass stereo with my SP-2 processor.

noble

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Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #3 on: 3 Apr 2026, 11:09 am »
 Thanks for that
 I also have a bda 2 and when i connected the BCD1 to the Bda 2 there was no improvement on the sound. In fact the Bcd1 sounded better going directly to the Amplifier.
 I wonder why

gene9p

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Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #4 on: 3 Apr 2026, 03:38 pm »
The BCD 1 has a single Crystal CS4398 DAC chip if I remember correctly where as the the BDA1 Dac has dual Crystal CS4398 DAC chips..so using them together was the way to go. I still use the BDA1 with my Krell CD player..awesome sound.

noble

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Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #5 on: 3 Apr 2026, 11:29 pm »
 Hi
 
 if that is the case then why am i not seeing an improvement connecting the BCD1 with the Bryston BDA2 which i belive is a better Dac than the BDA1

Mag

Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #6 on: 4 Apr 2026, 01:53 pm »
 I wish I could sample you some of my work but due to copyright I can't. I have about 80 gigs of remastered songs. My favorite In-a-godda-da-vida, You've never heard it like this before, the tribal drum solo for example you can hear the skins of the drums vibrate. :drool:

gene9p

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Re: bcd1 to a bcd3
« Reply #7 on: 4 Apr 2026, 03:21 pm »
Hi
 
 if that is the case then why am i not seeing an improvement connecting the BCD1 with the Bryston BDA2 which i belive is a better Dac than the BDA1
different chip set in the BCD1 than the BDA2..so different sound..the bcd1 is a helluva good cd1 player ..if you cannot hear any difference then sell the BDA2.....