Bryston BDA-1 DAC

falconcry72

I'm still huntin' around for DAC's, and I think I want one with a remote to switch inputs; this feature makes it sooo easy to evaluate sources.

The Wyred for Sound DAC-2 and Bryston BDA-1 are at the top of my list.

Anyone ever compare the two?

I know the W4S has a superior USB input, but a good USB to SPDIF converter makes that point moot.

dbaldus

I think you should get them both. That way, you will have had a shootout between ALL of the DACs that I've ever considered getting so I'll be a more informed buyer

Honestly, though, I've only heard good things about the Bryston but never had a chance to hear one in my rig or any others. Thanks for all the write-ups you've done so far... very informative and helpful to anyone looking at getting one of the current-gen DACs.

audiocr381ve

dbaldus wrote: »

I think you should get them both. That way, you will have had a shootout between ALL of the DACs that I've ever considered getting so I'll be a more informed buyer

Honestly, though, I've only heard good things about the Bryston but never had a chance to hear one in my rig or any others. Thanks for all the write-ups you've done so far... very informative and helpful to anyone looking at getting one of the current-gen DACs.

A huge +1

falconcry72

dbaldus wrote: »

I think you should get them both. That way, you will have had a shootout between ALL of the DACs that I've ever considered getting so I'll be a more informed buyer

Honestly, though, I've only heard good things about the Bryston but never had a chance to hear one in my rig or any others. Thanks for all the write-ups you've done so far... very informative and helpful to anyone looking at getting one of the current-gen DACs.

Thanks, man!:biggrin:

Unfortunately, I can't afford to get either one until I sell off a couple of the others, plus I can't find a BDA for sale right now.

BlueFox

I upgraded my Benchmark DAC1 Pre to the Bryston BDA DAC, and love it. For lack of a better term, it is more musical (sounds better, less defined) than the Benchmark. However, the remote control is a few hundred dollars extra, so I did not get it.

While I never tried it, ever review of the Bryston I have read said that the USB input sucked, while the others are great. I use an RCA SPDIF with a MIT Magnum to my Wadia iTransport, and could be happier with the result.

falconcry72

BlueFox wrote: »

I upgraded my Benchmark DAC1 Pre to the Bryston BDA DAC, and love it. For lack of a better term, it is more musical (sounds better, less defined) than the Benchmark

Hey BlueFox, can you expand on any sonic differences between the Benchmark and the Bryston BDA? I'm leaning towards the BDA over the W4S since I like the idea of using a separate USB to SPDIF converter that can be upgraded independently in the future without having to replace the whole DAC. I know that I could use a converter with the W4S also, but I feel like the Bryston would have a better analog section. Maybe not.

BlueFox

falconcry72 wrote: »

Hey BlueFox, can you expand on any sonic differences between the Benchmark and the Bryston BDA? I'm leaning towards the BDA over the W4S since I like the idea of using a separate USB to SPDIF converter that can be upgraded independently in the future without having to replace the whole DAC. I know that I could use a converter with the W4S also, but I feel like the Bryston would have a better analog section. Maybe not.

It has been a couple of years since I upgraded so I can't give you accurate details. The Benchmark just seemed sharper, more precise, or brighter. The Bryston has plenty of detail, but it is not as harsh. However, these differences are very small. Until I got the Bryston, I was very happy with the Benchmark, but the Bryston just sounded a bit better.

falconcry72

BlueFox wrote: »

...these differences are very small. Until I got the Bryston, I was very happy with the Benchmark, but the Bryston just sounded a bit better.

Yea, I've found all the DAC's I've compared recently to be pretty similar.

I was kinda hoping the Bryston would be the magic DAC to break the mold, but that's probably wishful thinking.:rolleyes:

BlueFox

falconcry72 wrote: »

Yea, I've found all the DAC's I've compared recently to be pretty similar.

I was kinda hoping the Bryston would be the magic DAC to break the mold, but that's probably wishful thinking.:rolleyes:

No. It's like everything else. Just swapping out similar gear is not going to create a night/day difference. The better the other gear, the better results you get. Over the last two years I have replaced all my cables (analog ICs, digital IC, speaker, and power cords), and installed brass footers under every thing for vibration elimination. My system sounds much, much better now than when I just changed out a $1500 DAC for a $2000 DAC.

I suspect to get another step up in sound quality I am going to have to start looking at gear that is 2-3 times the price of my current setup. For example, $16K Wilson Sophia speakers versus my $5K PSB Synchrony One speakers. That is probably going to be my next major upgrade.