[geordienp]

I've been loving my new Bryston 4BSST2 for a few months now, through my old Musical Fidelity A3cr pre-amp and PMC FB1's. My next upgrade plan was to replace my speakers with PMC PB1i's, but I have been increasingly drawn towards computer-based audio.  Reading various forums has been part of the reason, plus the fact that CD storage is a pain and the realisation that I currently do most of my music listening with naff MP3's through cheap Logitech speakers while browsing on my PC!

It has also dawned on me that I could use an external DAC and/or digital player to remotely select inputs from the sofa and thereby replace my MF pre-amp with the superior Bryston BP26 (which I had previously ruled out as it only offers remote control volume and not source selection).  I do want to be able to switch between digitally sourced music, TV, Sky+ and DVD/HDD from the armchair. I'm not interested in surround sound and cinema, I have been there and still prefer top drawer two channel audio for TV, movies and music.  So I won't be joining the SP3 bandwagon.

One option would be to go for the BDP-1 digital player, BDA-1 DAC and the BP26 pre-amp.  Another might be the MSB universal transport and a Bryston DAC. A third could be a DAC with volume control eliminating the need for any pre-amp, then there's the Linn DS network players as well.  There seems to be a fast developing choice of audiophile quality computer-based hardware options which is bound to continue to grow - at lower prices - as high resolution downloads become more widely available and I want in!  My main aim is to achieve superior sound from hard drive stored ripped CD's but higher resolution file downloading also appeals.
 
Am I right in thinking that I could use the Bryston DAC's BR2 remote control to select between different connected digital inputs (like CD, Sky+ and my Pioneer TV's coaxial outputs as well as a digital file player)?  If I used something like an iPad to control a digital player such as the BDP-1, could I also use it to remotely select digital inputs on the Bryston DAC?

[SHV]

From the options that you mention, the BDP-1, BDA-1, BP26 is the way to go.  I was in a similar situation about "going digital" and  after reading about computer digital servers, it didn't seem worth the hassle.  I am presently in a state of system evolution but from the control point of view, IPAD and Harmony 1100 remote covers all of the control issues.  I have an Apple TV, Cambridge IPad dock, BDP-1, Marantz universal player and Squeezebox touch connected to the BDA-1 and all controlled from my sofa. :>)  On a 1 to 10 scale of audio/computer/digital expertise, I am about a 2.5.  So, even though the Bryston system isn't totally without some growing pains, if I can do it, it's close to "plug and play".

My goal is to get it set up so that all music files with the possible exception of "radio" are contained in the BDP-1's external storage.  After using the BDP-1 in my system for the past month or so,  the idea of playing a CD seems archaic.

Steve

[DaveNote]

While my system is strictly audio (no DVD, etc.), I have to agree with Steve that an iPad (or iPod Touch) in combination with a Logitech Harmony seems to deal with remote needs for the truly lazy users like me. I, too, have the BDA-1, BDP-1, BP 26 setup. I share Steve's view of CDs. Use them now only to rip to my BDP-1 hard drive. Like you, am very much a PMC fan. I run MB2i. speakers.

Dave

[geordienp]

Thanks guys, the Bryston combination would be my first choice inclination.  I could always add a lower cost streamer like the Sqeezebox for internet streaming on the fly as long as I had top quality Bryston gear for serious listening to ripped CD's or high res downloads.  So are you saying the iPad or the Logitech harmony universal remote can be tought how to operate the input selection on the BDA-1 DAC? 

What do you use to rip and store your CD's (and downloads)?

Nigel

[tie_breaker]

I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) to rip my redbook CDs. Easy to use, works well and has error correction in case your CD has minor scratches.

I also have BDA-1 and BP-26 along with 4BSST2. However I set up my own music server using a Dell PC, a solid state hard drive, and an Asus  Xonar Essence STX sound card. I connect the PC to the BDA-1 via RCA coax.  I use the BR2 remote control to select among the BDA-1 source channels. Curretly I have my music server and dvd player connected only tp my BDA-1.

I demo'ed BDP-1 and compared against my music server. Sound quality was very much the same, I could not tell a difference.. But I use Foobar on my PC and I prefer the user interface of my PC versus the BDP-1. I have a wireless keyboard and am able to control my PC from my couch.

[Alpha10]

I have to agree with Steve that an iPad (or iPod Touch) in combination with a Logitech Harmony seems to deal with remote needs for the truly lazy users like me.

This is the combination I also use for my BDP/BDA and it works brilliantly, very simple to set-up and a joy in use.

BTW I use dbpoweramp as a ripper and find it a great programme, I have also used EAC and that is also ok, but I prefer dbpoweramp.

Cheers

[alexone]

hi, Geordienp

...and welcome to the forum! talking about the remote options i would say that any ipod/pad/phone device can't control the BDA-1's inputs (not that i am aware of...). if you should consider to control the BDP-1 via an "i-device"...try the ipad.

al.

[DaveNote]

Thanks guys, the Bryston combination would be my first choice inclination.  I could always add a lower cost streamer like the Sqeezebox for internet streaming on the fly as long as I had top quality Bryston gear for serious listening to ripped CD's or high res downloads.  So are you saying the iPad or the Logitech harmony universal remote can be tought how to operate the input selection on the BDA-1 DAC? 

What do you use to rip and store your CD's (and downloads)?

Nigel

Nigel, a Logitech Harmony can select BDA input, I believe. In my strictly audio setup, I haven't bothered to set it up to do this because with the BDP-1, and having all my CDs ripped to its attached hard drive, I have no reason to change inputs on the BDA-1. My Harmony turns the BDA and BDP on and off together, and set to devices allows my to control the BDP - pause, stop, forward selection - with mPad doing everything else. I use iTunes to rip CDs into AIFF files.

Dave

[Phil A]

Yes - a Harmony can select inputs.  I use Harmony remotes in the main (including the BDA-1), secondary and bedroom systems.  Very easy to set-up.

[Laundrew]

The BDP-1 sounds like an extremely versatile component - I am starting to get that weak feeling again 

 

Be well...

[alexone]

The BDP-1 sounds like an extremely versatile component - I am starting to get that weak feeling again 

 

Be well...

...ha!!! so the BDP-1 got you, eh

al.

[Alpha10]

The BDP-1 sounds like an extremely versatile component - I am starting to get that weak feeling again 

 

Be well...

Go on you know you want to, it will make the sun come out and shine in your head 

[geordienp]

Thanks everyone for confirmimg that I can remotely control the input selection with the BDA-1.  A Logitech Harmony and an iPad sounds good.  It does make the BP26 seem an unjustifiable expense though.

The availability of lots of Linn Akurate DS network streamers at around £2k on e-Bay (UK) - I'm in London - is making me question the value of going for the new Bryston gear.  Apart from having other digital inputs, the BDA-1 and BDP-1 combination offers much the same functionality as a Linn Akurate DS and at a comparable level of sound quality but it would cost me about double!  And then the BP26 on top would be an incredibly expensive way of merely attenuating the volume.  Wouldn't I be better off and achieve the same sound quality with a high quality transparent passive pre-amp, or a top DAC with a volume control built into its analogue output stage?  New ones are being released all the time at every conceivable price level.  Has anyone carefully compared the Bryston DAC and digital player with any of the competition?

Also I do still have my Musical Fidelity A3cr pre-amp which was designed twelve years ago for the then new SACD high resolution format.  Maybe I should audition my pre-amp against the BP26 with some high res digital front end??  I struggle to tell apart the sound of my CD player (with its own digital volume control) directly fed into the Bryston power amp and FB1’s compared to feeding the output of the CD player through the MF A3cr. When I upgrade to the PB1i’s and use a higher resolution front end this  might show a more apparent difference, of course.

Dave, what do you use to rip and store your CD's, just a standard PC?