Friends,
I recently replaced my Meridian 861v4 with the Bryston SP-3. I have a question about playing hi-rez audio through the SP-3.
I have the Bryston BDP-1 connected to the SP-3 directly by coax cable to the CD input. I also have the BDP-1 AES output connected to a Berkeley DAC, with the Berkeley connected to the SP-3 through the Bal-1 analog input. Playing hi-rez material (24/192 or 24/96 downloaded from HD Tracks) through the Berkeley always plays fine. Playing the same material through the CD input (and therefore using the internal DAC on the SP-3) usually plays fine, but not always. On those occasions when I get no sound, I can cure the problem by switching the input to Bal-1 and then back to CD.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that the SP-3 could not play hi-rez material directly—that you needed an external DAC to do that. If that is the case, then perhaps I have stumbled onto a happy surprise. But if the SP-3 is supposed to be 24/96 or 24/192 capable, this is an odd problem.
Any insights are appreciated.
Best regards,
Jeff