Review: Bryston BDA-1 DAC in place of Benchmark DAC1 Pre
BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
I received the Bryston BDA-1 DAC on Wednesday, and hooked it up Thursday night. I decided to take Friday off so I could stay up all night and drink beer. Oops, I mean drink beer while listening to the BDA-1.
So after three days, this is my initial impression of the Bryston versus the Benchmark DAC1 Pre.
First, the Benchmark is great. I have had it for a while and have spent countless hours listening to it, and been very happy. But, I did have the upgrade bug, and after learning of the Bryston decided to give it a try.
Cosmetics - appearance:
The Benchmark DAC1 is an 8” wide and only comes in silver. While this does not affect the sound, all my other components are black, so it stuck out. While listening to music I would see it and start wondering how to paint it black without damaging it. This is not conducive to a good listening session.
Bryston provides options to order the BDA-1 in different widths, and black or silver. I choose 17” width, and black. Now sitting on the shelf it blends in with the other components, so I am happy about that issue.
One issue with the Benchmark that bothered me was its LEDs. They use big blue LEDs. While I like the color, and it goes with the blue LEDs on the pre-amp and power amps, it was too big. At night, especially in the dark, it burns into your eye like a laser. Of course, it is only one LED.
Bryston has 4 LEDs going when the DAC is operational, and they are not symmetric in layout. The colors are similar to Sony’s for DVD and SACD players; green and orange. The Bryston has a green LED for sampling rate, lock, and input selection. If upsampling is enabled then that is an orange LED. Manufactures need to put these LEDs behind the panel, and drill a tiny pin hole for the light. Sometimes I think manufacturers design these LEDs for Stevie Wonder.
Sound:
Not being an audio critic I lack the proper adjectives to describe the sonic attributes of equipment, so this part will be general. Basically, to me, the Bryston sounds better than the Benchmark. It is clearer, more open, more musical.
I tried upsampling ON/OFF and decided to leave it ON. While there might be some CDs that sound better with upsampling OFF I listen to random shuffle of songs off my music server, so it is impractical to jump up and down for every song to toggle upsampling.
The Benchmark appeared to be sharper in sound, while the Bryston appears more rounded. I guess that might be considered more analog like. Listening to music I occasionally had the feeling I was hearing something in the music that I did not notice before, but I could not swear to that. For example, I primarily listen to classical music now, and on one song I was hearing someone hit a triangle (or something) in the background, and I had the feeling I never noticed that before.
Another thing I noticed is the soundstage appears more defined. An instrument appears at point X, and another is at X+1, etc. One thing is that while the sound stage did not expand left or right (SDA territory), it did seem to expand vertically.
Anyway, there is one thing I can positively state as fact. The XLR output of the Bryston is a lot higher than the Benchmark. I would listen to the Benchmark at -35 db, but I get the same output from the Bryston at -45, -50db.
Also, I compared the digital out of my Sony 5400ES SACD/CD player through the Bryston to the Sony’s DAC, and preferred the Bryston. With the DAC1 I would use the Sony’s DAC. However, that might have had more to do with the Sony’s XLR output also being higher than the Benchmark.
Anyway, since I paid $1600 for the DAC1 Pre, and found the Bryston online for the same price, I would recommend to anyone interested to get the Bryston. While the difference is small, it is apparent, and is better. One point though, the Benchmark DAC1 Pre is a pre-amp and a DAC, while the Bryston is only a DAC, so perhaps a more accurate comparison would be to the basic Benchmark DAC1 at $1000.
Rest of system:
iPod Classic/Wadia iTransport (lossless files), Cambridge-Audio 840E pre-amp, 2 Cambridge-Audio 840W amps bridged mono @ 800W/channel into 4 ohms, PSB Synchrony One towers (4 ohm), Sony XA5400ES SACD/CD, Panamax M5300-EX power conditioner, Mapleshade Omega Mikro Zephyr digital IC, Kimber Kable Hero XLR ICs, Mapleshade Double Golden Helix Plus speaker cables, factory stock power cords.
So after three days, this is my initial impression of the Bryston versus the Benchmark DAC1 Pre.
First, the Benchmark is great. I have had it for a while and have spent countless hours listening to it, and been very happy. But, I did have the upgrade bug, and after learning of the Bryston decided to give it a try.
Cosmetics - appearance:
The Benchmark DAC1 is an 8” wide and only comes in silver. While this does not affect the sound, all my other components are black, so it stuck out. While listening to music I would see it and start wondering how to paint it black without damaging it. This is not conducive to a good listening session.
Bryston provides options to order the BDA-1 in different widths, and black or silver. I choose 17” width, and black. Now sitting on the shelf it blends in with the other components, so I am happy about that issue.
One issue with the Benchmark that bothered me was its LEDs. They use big blue LEDs. While I like the color, and it goes with the blue LEDs on the pre-amp and power amps, it was too big. At night, especially in the dark, it burns into your eye like a laser. Of course, it is only one LED.
Bryston has 4 LEDs going when the DAC is operational, and they are not symmetric in layout. The colors are similar to Sony’s for DVD and SACD players; green and orange. The Bryston has a green LED for sampling rate, lock, and input selection. If upsampling is enabled then that is an orange LED. Manufactures need to put these LEDs behind the panel, and drill a tiny pin hole for the light. Sometimes I think manufacturers design these LEDs for Stevie Wonder.
Sound:
Not being an audio critic I lack the proper adjectives to describe the sonic attributes of equipment, so this part will be general. Basically, to me, the Bryston sounds better than the Benchmark. It is clearer, more open, more musical.
I tried upsampling ON/OFF and decided to leave it ON. While there might be some CDs that sound better with upsampling OFF I listen to random shuffle of songs off my music server, so it is impractical to jump up and down for every song to toggle upsampling.
The Benchmark appeared to be sharper in sound, while the Bryston appears more rounded. I guess that might be considered more analog like. Listening to music I occasionally had the feeling I was hearing something in the music that I did not notice before, but I could not swear to that. For example, I primarily listen to classical music now, and on one song I was hearing someone hit a triangle (or something) in the background, and I had the feeling I never noticed that before.
Another thing I noticed is the soundstage appears more defined. An instrument appears at point X, and another is at X+1, etc. One thing is that while the sound stage did not expand left or right (SDA territory), it did seem to expand vertically.
Anyway, there is one thing I can positively state as fact. The XLR output of the Bryston is a lot higher than the Benchmark. I would listen to the Benchmark at -35 db, but I get the same output from the Bryston at -45, -50db.
Also, I compared the digital out of my Sony 5400ES SACD/CD player through the Bryston to the Sony’s DAC, and preferred the Bryston. With the DAC1 I would use the Sony’s DAC. However, that might have had more to do with the Sony’s XLR output also being higher than the Benchmark.
Anyway, since I paid $1600 for the DAC1 Pre, and found the Bryston online for the same price, I would recommend to anyone interested to get the Bryston. While the difference is small, it is apparent, and is better. One point though, the Benchmark DAC1 Pre is a pre-amp and a DAC, while the Bryston is only a DAC, so perhaps a more accurate comparison would be to the basic Benchmark DAC1 at $1000.
Rest of system:
iPod Classic/Wadia iTransport (lossless files), Cambridge-Audio 840E pre-amp, 2 Cambridge-Audio 840W amps bridged mono @ 800W/channel into 4 ohms, PSB Synchrony One towers (4 ohm), Sony XA5400ES SACD/CD, Panamax M5300-EX power conditioner, Mapleshade Omega Mikro Zephyr digital IC, Kimber Kable Hero XLR ICs, Mapleshade Double Golden Helix Plus speaker cables, factory stock power cords.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
Comments
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I'd have to say from your nice review that the Bryston will only get better as 3 days isn't long enough for it to be fully burned in yet. BTW, the Benchmark DAC1 pre now comes in black too. Personally, I think that Benchmark gear is fugly.
I agreed with your comments about LED's on gear. Every piece of gear should come with the option to turn all the lights off!Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Good review. The warranty on Bryston gear is second to none.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
Great review! What made you choose the Bryston DAC over their CD player? I know there's a world of difference in the price so I can imagine that came into play. But I must say that from your review the Bryston DAC is a great sounding piece. Enjoy your new toy!!!
I'm ok with the LED lights on gear as long as they can be dimmed/turned off or aren't too obnoxious to begin with. I actually had a piece some time ago that I put a small swatch of black duct tape over the damn light. Problem solved!!!"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
informative review.
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pearsall001 wrote: »What made you choose the Bryston DAC over their CD player?
Basically, I was not looking for a CD player. I have an SACD/CD player, and, generally speaking, the only time I listen to a CD is when I first get it. Then I play it to determine if it is iPod worthy. If so, it gets copied onto the iPod. After that the only time it gets played is in the car.
The DAC is a much more versatile piece of equipment since it supports numerous digital sources.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Nice review!Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
good review, thanks for sharing
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Very nice review!
On a side note, how are you liking the XA-5400ES now that you've spent some more time with it? I'm going to be in the CDP market pretty soon, and the 5400 is basically at the top of my list right now.The nirvana inducer-
APC H10 Power Conditioner
Marantz UD5005 universal player
Parasound Halo P5 preamp
Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's -
comfortablycurt wrote: »On a side note, how are you liking the XA-5400ES now that you've spent some more time with it? I'm going to be in the CDP market pretty soon, and the 5400 is basically at the top of my list right now.
I love it. It sounds great for both SACDs and CDs, and is well built. One point, it is only a 2 channel SACD player using analog (XLR or RCA). If you want multi-chanel SACD you need to use an AVR with HDMI.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
