[Kosta]

My audio system consisted of Bryston components:

BP 26
BCD-1
14B SST

BW 803D speakers
Nordost Frey Cables

It was a good system but was lacking that musicality that you get from tubes.

I then took the dive in and purchased new components to try out and see if I could get my audio more musical with less in your face sound.

Purchased new CDP and Pre Amp.

Esoteric SA-50. (cd player )

Aesthetix Calypso tube pre amp

so, I took out the Bryston pre and cdp and found the sound to be awsome.

It was less harsh at the mids and more romantic sounding. Every type of music sounded bareable. BUT. It was missing some bass and detail in vocals.

At this point I experimented by swapping out components.

First I put back the Bryston BCD-1 back in and Boom!  The bass had returned and vocals were more apparent. The sound was still in your face at times.

So, I then tried the esoteric sa-50 along with the Bryston BP 26.  Wow! This was the combo that gave everything that I was after. What a great combination, killer.  I guess synergy comes in strange combos.

I think the BP 26 has synergy with my 14B SST.  Not sure but the voltage gain setting must have something to do with it.

[95Dyna]

Hi Kosta,

What a timely post for me as I am about to pull the trigger on either the Esoteric X-05 or SA-50 leaning heavily toward the X-05.  I have a pair of 7Bsq and a new BP26P.  I can say so far that I think the BP26 is a real sleeper among the Bryston products. With the new sqared series amps, BCD-1 and BDA-1 getting all the attention it is quietly contributing far more to the final sound quality than it gets credit for.  I'll PM to get your impressions of the SA-50.

Bill

[Levi]

Esoteric makes excellent CD Players and their transport mechanisms.    They are expensive compared to other players.  If you are in the market for a new CD player, I would go for Bryston CD Player for the ultimate in synergy.  If you can do a home audition, that would be the best!  That eliminates the "guessing" variable.

[95Dyna]

Esoteric makes excellent CD Players and their transport mechanisms.    They are expensive compared to other players.  If you are in the market for a new CD player, I would go for Bryston CD Player for the ultimate in synergy.  If you can do a home audition, that would be the best!  That eliminates the "guessing" variable.

Hi Levi,

Thanks for the advice.  I'm curious as to why you recommend the BCD-1 over the Esoteric as a CD player.  I see you are using an unspecified Esoteric.  I'm interested in having SACD playback too and would have no opportunity to audition any of these units in a store let alone at home so yours and others input on this forum is very much appreciated.

Bill

[Levi]

Synergy and performance is the key why I recommended the Bryston BCD-1.  It has good price to performance value.  I am using a DV-50s and it does have a very good analog sound and excellent resolution.  The DV-50s also has SACD processing and a multitude of upsampling controls that I call tone control.   If you are into SACD, then I would definitely recommend the Esoteric brand.  If you don't need SACD, then Bryston BCD-1 should be on your short list. 

Home audition is extremely important.  The best listening time is probably really late at night when you are relaxed and quiet.

--Levi

[Laundrew]

I had the opportunity to audition the BCD-1 and the X-05 as a direct A/B comparison into a  BP26/28B combination and both CD players were using identical cables. The BCD-1 is by no means a slouch, in fact it is a great performer. What you must examine again is the question of diminishing returns. I do not think it is fair to directly compare the two CD players as the X-05 is very close to two and a half times the price (approximately $7K CDN) of the BCD-1.

The first thing that I noticed before the play button was pushed, is the difference in the CD transports. You notice when the BCD-1 opens up its transport and you can really hear it. When the X-05 opens its transport, it is extremely fluid and makes very little noise at all. The X-05 transport (VRDS) with disc clamping is built to the nth degree.

As for the audio, I enjoyed the X-05 over the BCD-1. Was it a night and day difference? No, but you can easily hear the difference between the two CD players. An added bonus was the SACD, but I did not realize it at the time. I have never regretted purchasing the Esoteric X-05, it truly is an awesome CD player.

Be well...     

[vegasdave]

I can say so far that I think the BP26 is a real sleeper among the Bryston products.

So is the BP6. Matter of fact, that applies to all of the Bryston preamps, imo.

[Laundrew]

I can say so far that I think the BP26 is a real sleeper among the Bryston products.

So is the BP6. Matter of fact, that applies to all of the Bryston preamps, imo.

I just noticed that no where on my preamplifier faceplate does it say "BP26."

[vegasdave]

Same with my BP6...it of course is marked on the back.

[Laundrew]

Same with my BP6...it of course is marked on the back.

Perhaps it is due to all of the different incarnations of this preamplifier

[vegasdave]

Yes, perhaps.

[95Dyna]

I can say so far that I think the BP26 is a real sleeper among the Bryston products.

So is the BP6. Matter of fact, that applies to all of the Bryston preamps, imo.

I just noticed that no where on my preamplifier faceplate does it say "BP26."

Andy,

Why don't you have a sign done professionally and place it on a miniature easel next the the BP26.  Make sure the artist paints an arrow pointing to the BP26 so the casual viewer won't mistake it for the MPS2. aa

[Laundrew]

I can say so far that I think the BP26 is a real sleeper among the Bryston products.

So is the BP6. Matter of fact, that applies to all of the Bryston preamps, imo.

I just noticed that no where on my preamplifier faceplate does it say "BP26."

Andy,

Why don't you have a sign done professionally and place it on a miniature easel next the the BP26.  Make sure the artist paints an arrow pointing to the BP26 so the casual viewer won't mistake it for the MPS2. aa

Hey - now that is a great idea and I can take it one step further and get some fuzzy dice to hang from it. I can also get the artist to paint a matching arrow on my BR2