New Bryston BDA-2 DAC

[The Computer Audiophile]

This looks like a nice upgrade at a reasonable price. Here is the Press Release.

 

 

 

Bryston Unveils BDA-2 Outboard DAC

 

 

New model features 32-bit DAC’s and high resolution USB inputs bringing addedperformance and versatility to award-winning DAC lineup

 

 

Peterborough, Ontario November 14th, 2012— Bryston LTD (Bryston Limited: Music for a Generation), builders of the world’s finestaudio electronics and celebrating 50 years in 2012, has announced the introduction of the BDA-2 outboard digitalto analog converter (DAC). The BDA-2 builds on the award-winning success of the BDA-1 DAC, adding the latest32-bit DAC technology and the most advanced USB interface to accommodate the ever expanding computer-based entertainment market. The Bryston BDA-2 is a state-of-the-art stereo DAC using fully discrete Class-A proprietary Bryston analog circuits, two independent (analog and digital) linear power supplies and dual 32-bit AKM DAC chips. The BDA-2 also utilizes a new asynchronous USB input capable of 192/24bit resolution. The BDA-2 has an MSRP of $2395 US and is shipping to authorized dealers now. TheBDA-1 will remain in the Bryston lineup for the foreseeable future.

 

 

The BDA-2 delivers inherent flexibility with an impressive array of inputs for high resolution USB, COAX,OPTICAL, AES-EBU and BNC-equipped digital devices. For audio outputs, the BDA-2 offers both balanced XLRas well as unbalanced RCA stereo connectors on the rear panel. The BDA-2 is RS-232 software upgradeable,making it the most user-friendly high performance USB DAC on the market. “With more and more consumersrelying on their computers as a source of entertainment in the home, we felt it imperative to offer a DAC with highperformance USB inputs,” stated Bryston’s James Tanner. “Additionally, the new 32-bit DAC chips deliverstunning resolution and detail. The BDA-2 was built upon the award-winning BDA-1 architecture, whichemphasized isolation, low noise and imperceptibly low levels of distortion and Jitter,” Tanner concluded.

 

 

Power Supplies: The BDA-2 power supply employs two independent secondary windings on the powertransformer—one each for the digital and analog sections of the device. In the BDA-2, each stage in the digitalchain is also independently regulated to prevent any unwanted interactions and to provide rock solid powerdelivery for any up-sampling/over-sampling process.

AKM 32-bit DAC Chips: The BDA-2 incorporates dual AKM 32-bit DAC chips, some of the highest resolutionavailable on the market today.

 

 

Jitter Reduction: The input signal to the Bryston BDA-2 is re-clocked and re-sampled with the highest precisionoscillators to reduce any possibility of jitter affecting the sound quality (jitter is a mis-timing of the data beingmoved from point A to point B in any synchronous digital system). Additionally, the BDA-2’s input receiver andsample rate converter have both been engineered to further reduce jitter to levels too low to measure accuratelyeven with the best test equipment available.

Digital Input Matching Devices: The BDA-2 employs high quality impedance matching transformers providingthe optimal interface to virtually any incoming source under all sorts of signal conditions. Lesser qualityterminations may degrade the signal and could cause increased jitter.

 

 

Discrete Class-A analog stage: The Bryston BDA-2’s analog circuits are constructed of carefully sorted andselected discrete devices (individual transistors, resistors, and capacitors) instead of the more commonly usedintegrated circuits. The use of discrete devices has enabled Bryston to design a circuit that exactly matches theneeds of the BDA-2, resulting in superior sound quality.

 

 

 

 

Ultimate Quality: Bryston applies techniques and employs custom materials in our everyday manufacturing of electronic equipment that are more typically utilized by the military and aerospace industries. Such techniques ensure unit-to-unit consistency that is vastly superior to mass production. Bryston’s adherence to the use of proprietary parts, sophisticated construction, and refined testing techniques guarantee superb performance and long-term product reliability.

 

BDA-2 Features:

• Dual 192K/32Bit AKM DAC’s

• Independent dual power Supplies

• Discrete Class A analog output stage

• Selectable synchronous upsampling (176.4K/192K)

• Independent analog and digital signal paths

• Inputs: 192/24 USB (1), COAX (2), OPTICAL (2), AES-EBU (1) BNC (2)• 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192K sampling

• Fully differential balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo outputs

• Transformer coupled SPDIF and AES EBU digital inputs

• SPDIF COAX bypass loop output

• RS-232 software upgrade capable

• Optional remote control

• Remote 12 Volt Trigger

• Compatible with CD drives, sound cards, computers, music servers

• Cosmetically matches Bryston C-Series Products

• 5 year warranty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mav52]

Looks like around $2395 us

 

A good series of post here with Jame Tanner of Bryston discussing the new DAC

BDA-2 DAC

[Audio_ELF]

Does it have a remote control? If not then I think...

making it the most user-friendly high performance USB DAC on the market

is rather far from true!

 

(And yes I know I'm lazy wanting to be able to switch sources without getting up!)

 

Eloise

 

Ooops - I really should read BEFORE I post!

[Bob Stern]

The remote is not included.

 

Bryston currently sells only one remote, model BR2, for use with all its products, so it includes controls for its preamps as well as the DAC. If you don't have a Bryston preamp, the extra buttons are a nuisance, and the $350 price is steep.

 

A cheaper option would be to bring a learning remote to a Bryston dealer and ask if you can borrow the BR2 for a few minutes to "learn" the codes relevant to the DAC. (A second learning remote as a backup would be prudent.)

 

A cool feature of the remote is that it can turn upsampling on and off.

 

(I have a BDA-1.)

[realhifi]

This looks like a nice upgrade at a reasonable price. Here is the Press Release.

 

 

 

Bryston Unveils BDA-2 Outboard DAC

 

 

New model features 32-bit DAC’s and high resolution USB inputs bringing addedperformance and versatility to award-winning DAC lineup

 

 

Peterborough, Ontario November 14th, 2012— Bryston LTD (Bryston Limited: Music for a Generation), builders of the world’s finestaudio electronics and celebrating 50 years in 2012, has announced the introduction of the BDA-2 outboard digitalto analog converter (DAC). The BDA-2 builds on the award-winning success of the BDA-1 DAC, adding the latest32-bit DAC technology and the most advanced USB interface to accommodate the ever expanding computer-based entertainment market. The Bryston BDA-2 is a state-of-the-art stereo DAC using fully discrete Class-A proprietary Bryston analog circuits, two independent (analog and digital) linear power supplies and dual 32-bit AKM DAC chips. The BDA-2 also utilizes a new asynchronous USB input capable of 192/24bit resolution. The BDA-2 has an MSRP of $2395 US and is shipping to authorized dealers now. TheBDA-1 will remain in the Bryston lineup for the foreseeable future.

 

 

The BDA-2 delivers inherent flexibility with an impressive array of inputs for high resolution USB, COAX,OPTICAL, AES-EBU and BNC-equipped digital devices. For audio outputs, the BDA-2 offers both balanced XLRas well as unbalanced RCA stereo connectors on the rear panel. The BDA-2 is RS-232 software upgradeable,making it the most user-friendly high performance USB DAC on the market. “With more and more consumersrelying on their computers as a source of entertainment in the home, we felt it imperative to offer a DAC with highperformance USB inputs,” stated Bryston’s James Tanner. “Additionally, the new 32-bit DAC chips deliverstunning resolution and detail. The BDA-2 was built upon the award-winning BDA-1 architecture, whichemphasized isolation, low noise and imperceptibly low levels of distortion and Jitter,” Tanner concluded.

 

 

Power Supplies: The BDA-2 power supply employs two independent secondary windings on the powertransformer—one each for the digital and analog sections of the device. In the BDA-2, each stage in the digitalchain is also independently regulated to prevent any unwanted interactions and to provide rock solid powerdelivery for any up-sampling/over-sampling process.

AKM 32-bit DAC Chips: The BDA-2 incorporates dual AKM 32-bit DAC chips, some of the highest resolutionavailable on the market today.

 

 

Jitter Reduction: The input signal to the Bryston BDA-2 is re-clocked and re-sampled with the highest precisionoscillators to reduce any possibility of jitter affecting the sound quality (jitter is a mis-timing of the data beingmoved from point A to point B in any synchronous digital system). Additionally, the BDA-2’s input receiver andsample rate converter have both been engineered to further reduce jitter to levels too low to measure accuratelyeven with the best test equipment available.

Digital Input Matching Devices: The BDA-2 employs high quality impedance matching transformers providingthe optimal interface to virtually any incoming source under all sorts of signal conditions. Lesser qualityterminations may degrade the signal and could cause increased jitter.

 

 

Discrete Class-A analog stage: The Bryston BDA-2’s analog circuits are constructed of carefully sorted andselected discrete devices (individual transistors, resistors, and capacitors) instead of the more commonly usedintegrated circuits. The use of discrete devices has enabled Bryston to design a circuit that exactly matches theneeds of the BDA-2, resulting in superior sound quality.

 

 

 

 

Ultimate Quality: Bryston applies techniques and employs custom materials in our everyday manufacturing of electronic equipment that are more typically utilized by the military and aerospace industries. Such techniques ensure unit-to-unit consistency that is vastly superior to mass production. Bryston’s adherence to the use of proprietary parts, sophisticated construction, and refined testing techniques guarantee superb performance and long-term product reliability.

 

BDA-2 Features:

• Dual 192K/32Bit AKM DAC’s

• Independent dual power Supplies

• Discrete Class A analog output stage

• Selectable synchronous upsampling (176.4K/192K)

• Independent analog and digital signal paths

• Inputs: 192/24 USB (1), COAX (2), OPTICAL (2), AES-EBU (1) BNC (2)• 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192K sampling

• Fully differential balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo outputs

• Transformer coupled SPDIF and AES EBU digital inputs

• SPDIF COAX bypass loop output

• RS-232 software upgrade capable

• Optional remote control

• Remote 12 Volt Trigger

• Compatible with CD drives, sound cards, computers, music servers

• Cosmetically matches Bryston C-Series Products

• 5 year warranty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great introduction Chris. Are you going to start to give this kind of write up for every manufacturers new Dac? There are a quite few new ones that sure could use this kind of advertising.

[CatManDo]

The remote is not included.

 

Bryston currently sells only one remote, model BR2, for use with all its products, so it includes controls for its preamps as well as the DAC. If you don't have a Bryston preamp, the extra buttons are a nuisance, and the $350 price is steep.

 

I actually prefer an expensive remote to be optional, because I use a Logitech Harmony which can learn any remote code without the presence of the original remote.

[mav52]

I actually prefer an expensive remote to be optional, because I use a Logitech Harmony which can learn any remote code without the presence of the original remote.

me to.

[realhifi]

me to.

 

Universal remotes here. Same thing, find the code set and off you go.

Of course with everything able to be controlled from an iPad with varying software and IR blasters you can simply use it for all devices these days.