SACD and the BDA-1

Anonamemouse · « **on:** 8 Jun 2010, 07:17 pm »

Since SACD is sampled at a somewhat higher rate than the BDA-1 can handle, is the SACD signal treated in any way, or does one just use the analog out of the cd player for that?

Napalm · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 07:20 pm »

AFAIK there is no way to input SACD DSD into the BDA-1.

Nap.

Phil A · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 11:11 pm »

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 8 Jun 2010, 07:17 pm

Since SACD is sampled at a somewhat higher rate than the BDA-1 can handle, is the SACD signal treated in any way, or does one just use the analog out of the cd player for that?

If you buy an Oppo BDP-83 (I have a Modwright modded one) it does SACD and it will also pass DVD-A over the coax digital output so you can get whatever is one the DVD-A going to the BDA-1. I believe the Oppo can convert DSD to hi-rez PCM but I don't believe it works over the coax digital out (I haven't tried it), only over HDMI. So you have a receiver or preamp that has HDMI and can handle DSD processing it can do the decoding. If it has HDMI but no DSD decoding you can convert it in the Oppo and pass the hi-rez PCM. I tried a couple of things in the bedroom system from the Oppo 980 to my Marantz SR6300 receiver (which can do DSD) and on the couple of things I tried I could not tell the difference in passing DSD or PCM.

Napalm · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 11:35 pm »

^^^^

...and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how Sony through dumb DRM restrictions made sure that SACD/DSD will never take off as a mainstream media....

Nap.

ted_b · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Jun 2010, 11:37 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 8 Jun 2010, 11:11 pm

If you buy an Oppo BDP-83 (I have a Modwright modded one) it does SACD and it will also pass DVD-A over the coax digital output so you can get whatever is one the DVD-A going to the BDA-1. I believe the Oppo can convert DSD to hi-rez PCM but I don't believe it works over the coax digital out (I haven't tried it), only over HDMI. So you have a receiver or preamp that has HDMI and can handle DSD processing it can do the decoding. If it has HDMI but no DSD decoding you can convert it in the Oppo and pass the hi-rez PCM. I tried a couple of things in the bedroom system from the Oppo 980 to my Marantz SR6300 receiver (which can do DSD) and on the couple of things I tried I could not tell the difference in passing DSD or PCM.

Yes, on the Oppo BDP-83 you can only get DVD-Audio (or redbook of course) via coax outs, not any form of SACD (DSD or PCM) or BluRay hirez audio. Those are only available decoded via analog or, in the case of HDMI, bitstreamed DSD (assuming you have AVR that has DSD decoder) or decoded SACD PCM (comes across as 24/88.2 PCM). BlURay hirez (TrueHD, DTS HD MA, linear PCm) is also only available via analog or HDMI. However, there is a new way.....

Stay tuned to my mini-review over on the HiRez forum. I will post it today or tmrw (edit: posted tonight). I am now listening to Oppo SACD's 24/88.2 PCM and glorious BlURay 24/192 via my own Weiss DAC2, and you can too (via the Bryston BDA-1)...

All for less than the price of a set of mid-priced interconnects or a decent power cable.

Napalm · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 10:56 am »

Nice. I guess I should secure one before our wise government makes it illegal. Or maybe I should just say

to SACD.

Nap.

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 02:20 pm »

Quote from: Napalm on 8 Jun 2010, 11:35 pm

^^^^

...and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how Sony through dumb DRM restrictions made sure that SACD/DSD will never take off as a mainstream media....

Nap.

They were VERY close to aso killing the BluRay format by not allowing porn. The moment they realized the other HiDef disc format DID allow porn and thus was about seconds away from winning the "war", they decided that porn would not be such a big problem after all...

I am definitely interested in anything that allows me to connect my SACD player to my BDA.

ted_b · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 02:36 pm »

Anonamemouse,
Your Marantz SACD player does not have HDMI, so my reviewed product won't work. The Marantz is very nice sounding, right? I'm not recommending taking hi-end SACD players out of your system, just bringing up the fact that if you own a BDA-1 and an inexpensive universal BlURay (like Oppo) that the BDA-1 can still be your DAC for all SACD and BluRay 2 channel. In your case, the MArantz analog sound may trump all.

Napalm · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 02:49 pm »

Ted, we should hook you up with some Bryston gear too. How about a pair of 28B?

Nap.

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 02:57 pm »

Ah... So it's a HDMI thingie. Shame.
I am halfway between ordering the Marantz SA KI Pearl or the BDA-1. I know the sound of the BDA is more analytical, but I like the Marantz sound a lot.
If it turns out I am buying a piece of equipment that I can only use with one facet of my player (the number of DVD's I play is maybe 25 a year, it's just not worth it to hook that up to a DAC) I am hereby hardcorely reconsidering...

Napalm · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 03:03 pm »

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 9 Jun 2010, 02:57 pm

I am halfway between ordering the Marantz SA KI Pearl or the BDA-1. I know the sound of the BDA is more analytical, but I like the Marantz sound a lot.

An I keep telling James about tone controls to no avail.......

Nap.

James Tanner · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 03:24 pm »

Quote from: Napalm on 9 Jun 2010, 03:03 pm

An I keep telling James about tone controls to no avail.......

Nap.

Just use the 'equalizer' in your music player with the BDA-1.

james

Napalm · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 03:49 pm »

Mhhhh..... "TruBass"

WOW effect

Nap.

vegasdave · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Jun 2010, 06:39 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 9 Jun 2010, 03:24 pm

Just use the 'equalizer' in your music player with the BDA-1.

james

Napalm · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Jun 2010, 06:50 pm »

Quote from: Anonamemouse on 9 Jun 2010, 02:57 pm

Ah... So it's a HDMI thingie. Shame.
I am halfway between ordering the Marantz SA KI Pearl or the BDA-1. I know the sound of the BDA is more analytical, but I like the Marantz sound a lot.
If it turns out I am buying a piece of equipment that I can only use with one facet of my player (the number of DVD's I play is maybe 25 a year, it's just not worth it to hook that up to a DAC) I am hereby hardcorely reconsidering...

Some news for you:

http://www.whathifi.com/news/MARANTZ-LAUNCH-All-the-new-models-heading-your-way-in-2010/

Check the network player too.

Nap.

Anonamemouse · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 03:05 pm »

Lots-a-goodies!

But I am only really interested in their CD player. The only other Marantz labeled gear here is my tuner, which I have no high quality demands for.
I REALLY wish someone would release an affordable decent quality Internet radio streamer in a regular 17 inch box. I so miss listening to Q107... My computer speakers suck. Dutch radio stations suck even harder.

whanafi · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Jun 2010, 12:14 am »

Get the Transporter if you want 17 inch, or a Touch if you want functionality. Both handle data rates/resolution way above anything that is being streamed today.

Have been listening to BBC World Service this way for years, as the canyons of high-rise Singapore are not friendly to FM signals. Also Canadian stations when I get nostalgic (like listening to snow storm weather reports while gently roasting on the equator)

Napalm · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jul 2010, 04:40 am »

Quote from: ted_b on 8 Jun 2010, 11:37 pm

However, there is a new way.....

Stay tuned to my mini-review over on the HiRez forum. I will post it today or tmrw (edit: posted tonight). I am now listening to Oppo SACD's 24/88.2 PCM and glorious BlURay 24/192 via my own Weiss DAC2, and you can too (via the Bryston BDA-1)... All for less than the price of a set of mid-priced interconnects or a decent power cable.

Mhhh. Since Lenovo Canada has a 5 days sale (25% off) I've just ordered a T510. Rumors has it that it outputs audio too on the Displayport connector. So how exactly could I connect it to the BDA-1. Which gadgets would I need?

Nap.

Phil A · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jul 2010, 05:23 am »

I got this last weekend (and only had a few hours to listen to it last Sat.) - http://www.port-ta.com/show.asp?id=203

I am using a modded BDP-83 (with the clock changed). With HDMI audio enabled and outputting PCM from SACD (the Oppo chip is ltd. to 24/88.2 - the Arcam universal can do 176.4 as well as older PS3s that play SACD) and upsampled in the Bryston DAC - so far I prefer the sound of the Bryston DAC. I'll be doing more listening over this weekend

Napalm · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jul 2010, 06:15 am »

Quote from: Phil A on 17 Jul 2010, 05:23 am

I got this last weekend (and only had a few hours to listen to it last Sat.) - http://www.port-ta.com/show.asp?id=203

I am using a modded BDP-83 (with the clock changed). With HDMI audio enabled and outputting PCM from SACD (the Oppo chip is ltd. to 24/88.2 - the Arcam universal can do 176.4 as well as older PS3s that play SACD) and upsampled in the Bryston DAC - so far I prefer the sound of the Bryston DAC. I'll be doing more listening over this weekend

I guess I would also need this

http://www.port-ta.com/show.asp?id=38

right?

Or maybe I should look for a Displayport male to HDMI male cable.....

Nap.