Loving My BDA-1

Mag · « **on:** 12 Jan 2011, 01:04 am »

Got my new BDA-1 on Friday and have been putting it through the paces. Still haven't got around to dts soundtracks, as I'm busy ripping songs.

Using the BCD-1 initially as a transport, can't say I could tell any difference in the BDA- vs BCD-1. However with my laptop, which has a pretty good soundcard, and wave strength set to max. The bass has more vibe, more subtle details, and better stereo channel separation. As well as difficult words to discern in some songs are even more discernible than previously.

Detail even at low volume was apparent. So I was tempted to become a low level listening convert.

Cranking the volume though put an end to such thoughts. With my BCD-1 restored track, In-a-godda-vida, the song was spectacular!

Napalm · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 03:02 am »

Phil A · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 04:58 am »

Quote from: Napalm on 12 Jan 2011, 03:02 am

+1 - Love mine as well

Ozi · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 07:33 am »

Quote from: Phil A on 12 Jan 2011, 04:58 am

+1 - Love mine as well

Seconded

vegasdave · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 08:53 am »

Ozi · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 10:50 am »

Let me tell you, I bought mine a week after I bought BP26. Dealer had it at the moment and asked me to try it, but as I had two very good Naim CD players at that moment, I decided to try just informatively. I repeat, I didn't have intention to buy BDA-1 as I've been pretty satisfied with current digital source. Guess what, after two days of demo, I called the dealer and asked him how much is BDA

.

George Duke cruising slowly with BDA-1 in the background while I am writing this

best,
oz.

vegasdave · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 11:24 am »

Good, I like to hear that. These Naim-o-philes think they just have the best, and most of 'em are BRYSTON bashers.

Ozi · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 11:56 am »

There is some truth in that Dave, sure, but many of them during years realize that is really funny to think like that. 'We have the best' is invented by younger population I believe, so let's forgive them, they still have time to learn, read, travel, taste...

Robert D · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 12:24 pm »

Quote from: Phil A on 12 Jan 2011, 04:58 am

+1 - Love mine as well

Love mine as well !

Robert

Mag · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 03:25 pm »

Forgot to mention I'm also using jitter correction on the ripping. Normally a cd takes about 5 minutes to rip, with jitter correction it takes about 25 minutes. I noticed an enriched sound prior to usin the BDA-1, with I contribute to JC. I guess what it does is it aligns the rip so there is no overlap that causes small timing error distortion. Making for smoother presentation.

redbook · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 05:11 pm »

Hello Mag . Just wondering if there isn't an improvement using the bcd-1 through the bda-1.I guess there's no point me getting one. I play just straight redbook material ( much better that i ever thought possible thanks to James and the Gang). Glad to hear that the bda-1 one is a great dac. May get it just for the twin chips. Thanks .... Redbook.

alexone · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 05:18 pm »

redbook,

that's the good thing about the BCD and the BDA. if you ask me...they sound the same. these devices were not built to outperform each other. they were built to meet the specific needs of anyone's Hifi chain.
so in your case for redbook playback the BCD is the right choice. for those who want multiple inputs it's the BDA to go for.

al.

vegasdave · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 05:31 pm »

Quote from: Ozi on 12 Jan 2011, 11:56 am

There is some truth in that Dave, sure, but many of them during years realize that is really funny to think like that. 'We have the best' is invented by younger population I believe, so let's forgive them, they still have time to learn, read, travel, taste...

Cool. Glad you agree. Good point.

redbook · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 07:27 pm »

Thanks for that clearification . I must say I am amazed at my cd-1 's performance; has made everything else finer.

Mag · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 07:36 pm »

Quote from: redbook on 12 Jan 2011, 05:11 pm

Hello Mag . Just wondering if there isn't an improvement using the bcd-1 through the bda-1.I guess there's no point me getting one. I play just straight redbook material ( much better that i ever thought possible thanks to James and the Gang). Glad to hear that the bda-1 one is a great dac. May get it just for the twin chips. Thanks .... Redbook.

Using toslink IMO there was perhaps abit more vibe in the bass region, but not enough significant difference to warrant having the two linked together.

For me the benefit is moving to computer based source, like the BDP-1. However I don't see myself going to hi-res downloads at this time. The solution for me was a computer with a hi definition soundcard, using it as a jukebox for a few hundred cds.

konut · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Jan 2011, 08:50 pm »

Little fault to find with the BDA-1. Easily the most cost effective, versatile, Class A DAC out there. I have made it the heart of my system. Only 1 thing missing. Remote Passive Analog Volume Control! Let the engineers loose on the best solution(transformer, resister, LED etc.) and sell it as a companion piece to the BDA-1/BDP-1 combo to complete the minimalist digital system, man cave option of course. How about it James?

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 09:34 pm »

What would be really cool would be a B60/BDA-1/BDP-1 in a single box, kind of like the Naim Uniti.

And it can sound great. Ever hear the Uniti?

Laundrew · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 09:48 pm »

B100/BDA-1/BDP-1

B100/BCD-1

This is not going to be an easy choice for Mrs. L

Be well...

vegasdave · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jan 2011, 09:57 pm »

Quote from: Stu Pitt on 13 Jan 2011, 09:34 pm

What would be really cool would be a B60/BDA-1/BDP-1 in a single box, kind of like the Naim Uniti.

And it can sound great. Ever hear the Uniti?

Performance would suffer, as James has said.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2011, 03:26 am »

Quote from: vegasdave on 13 Jan 2011, 09:57 pm

Performance would suffer, as James has said.

Yeah, but how much? The reason why I say this is the Naim Uniti is a Nait 5i, CD5i and the other stuff in the same box, yet my dealer and I heard no difference between the Nait 5i and CD5i combo vs playing the same CD with the Uniti.

Just throwing it out there. I know it wouldn't happen, but I think it would be a great way to get a new crowd interested in Bryston. The Naim Uniti has been flying off the shelves of a lot of dealers.