Visited my dealer today and he offered me a deal I couldn't turn down on one. Turns out it was good timing, cause I heard today that all Bryston gear is going up 9% in June.
Ordered one in black, should be here in 1-2 weeks! Can't wait to hear this thing in my system.
Curious to hear how it's gonna sound between my CA CDP and the Rega Elicit. I'll also be using it with Jamie's Media Center as a source. Should be fun. Hopefully the last piece of the puzzle for a while.
I was getting tired of the incremental upgrades Art. I was gonna try out the Rega DAC, but I knew I would end up selling it in a few months and eventually go up to the Bryston. I've heard it many times and have l wanted one for a couple of years now.
David - Bout F'N time man! Lol j/k. Your going to absolutely love it. Best sounding DAC I have ever heard. Period. Best sounding source in actually, that I have ever heard. Period. lol. No really...period.
From what I understand George, is that the BCD-1 has one Crystal DAC, and the BDA-1 has dual differential DACs. Should make a noticeable difference.
This was a little bit of a financial stretch for me right now, but I figured I'd come out ahead in the end and just get what I really wanted instead of the endless incremental upgrades, which always cost me at least a few hundred bucks. I think I'd have to spent A LOT more money at this point to get a solid improvement.
Speaking of improvements, sound-wise I think this is one of the most substantial upgrades I've done so far.
David- been so busy myself this week as well. No time for anything. Any clear cut sonic differences the Bryston DAC has already brought to your system?
Hey Nick. So far this week I've managed to listen to it almost every night for at least an hour or so.
I was actually expecting this piece to have the typical Bryston sound in my system - precise (not bright). But it's actually very smooth and analog sounding. I think the biggest strength of the BDA-1 is the soundstage; it's huge. Like crazy good.
So smoooth eh. I find all the new Bryston offerings like this. Very smooth now, yet still detailed with huge soundstage and bottom end slam. A huge step from their old stuff. Awesome David.
I posted this mini-review at Canada Hi-Fi, where George hangs out a lot:
I've tried out a few DACs in the last year myself. One of my buddies has the BDA-1 one, and having heard it extensively, I knew I wanted one.
A lot of people are always knocking Bryston as being too aggressive, or too bright (which I don't agree with). This DAC is anything but. Very smooth, very balanced. It actually has a rather warm, analog sound, without being mushy if you know what I mean.
I had the W4S DAC-1 for awhile this past winter, and while I initially really liked it, I found it was just a bit too warm sounding. The Bryston, on the other hand, reveals every detail and nuance of the music without being abrasive in the least.
A couple of things that stand out:
1) Soundstage - it's huge! Speakers disappear 2) Imaging - perfect balance 3) Bass - fantastic slam 4) Reverb/Decay - I've heard cymbal crashes and voice reverb on my favourite CDs that I've never heard before.
It was a bit of a stretch financially, but anyone who is interested in a good quality DAC, I highly recommend it. For the record too, I was looking into trying out the W4S DAC-2, imported from the States, and while the 1500 retail seems a lot cheaper than the 2200 loonie list price of the Bryston, in the end, after shipping, duties and brokerage BS, you'll still come out ahead. And..... you've bought a great piece of handmade Canadian gear.
One other thing: The majority of my CDs sound better with up-sampling turned off.
Time is starting to free up a bit for me. We should do up a meeting soon. Somewhere, anywhere. Here. Dont care. lol Tunes, beer, food, gear. I can feel the love all the way from Amherstview David. lol.
Hey Nick, the music room is 90% done now. I have the final door hung (what a pain in the @ss, I had to custom cut it for height, and jam it in a very awkward position). All that's left is the laminate flooring and the floorboards. I can do that in a weekend, but realistically, it will take me much longer.