Out on a limb- I just received a Bryston BCD-1

[James Edward]

I say out on a limb in the subject because of how well liked Bryston seems to be on this board...
Now I'll stick my neck out and say how good it sounds.

Attributes of the BCD-1 vs my current Marantz SA8003:

It goes deeper in the bass region
It is tighter in the bass region
Better 'texture' in the bass- more differentiation between bass lines
It sounds more open- as if a sheer curtain has been lifted
It has tempo to die for- every tune makes you want to tap along
Highs seem to go on forever with no stridency
BCD-1 loads faster and there is NO noise from the transport- even with ear against player

Things that stayed the same vs SA8003:

Imaging was already very good with the Marantz, and I don't notice any difference with the BCD-1

Not having compared the Bryston to other players at 3K and up, I can only say that this player is a quantum leap over the Marantz, and at ~3X the price, it should be.
The lesson for me here is just how important system synergy is. I bought the Marantz as a smooth running source to balance my brighter Monitor Audio GS 60 speakers. Now that I am using a more balanced speaker, the smooth Marantz seemed closed-in, and lacking air.

Current system:
Acoustic Zen Crescendo speakers
LSA Signature Integrated Amplifier
VPI Classic TT
Kimber 8TC Speaker Cable
Zu Audi Mission Interconnects

[richidoo]

Bryston power amps are a different animal than their signal level stuff. Still lots of feedback, but doesn't seem to rip the soul out like the amps do. Unlike most <$3k CDPs, Bryston output is all discreet, no signal opamps. The CDP has their best jitter reduction scheme, which gets jitter down below 1pS. I hadn't heard that it was mechanically so quiet though, another plus. Thanks for sharing your impressions James.
Rich

[rollo]

  Synergy ah synergy, that's the ticket. Now please do not get me wrong. You have entered the zone where CDPs offer the refinement in overall sound that you pay for. The sub $1500 players are mostly all VG . Once a certain lis reached the game changes.
 now that you have experienced class "A" sound the differences between CDPs are small but quite obvious. It is the little things that are missing from the lessor players, tone being one PRAT, air, imaging and the refined bass and especially treble region. Now saying that synergy now becomes more relevant as the differences are small but important to a final choice.
 Good luck and welcome to the world of better digital. much better.


charles

[tmazz]

I say out on a limb in the subject because of how well liked Bryston seems to be on this board...

I may be wrong, but I'm not sure that anyone here has an issue with Bryston per se, but rather with the behavior of some of the Bryston fanboys on other forums. There are plenty of amps that are not 100% state of the art and they are what they are. Your pay your money and you take your choice. And as far as most of the people on AN are concerned. if you like it in your system, good for you (even if I don't particularly like the piece. (I may be a little presumptuous inspeaking for everyone here, but I think that this is generally the case.) However; some of the Bryston supports on the other boards have been know to get particularly vicious and vindictive against people who didn't sing undying praises of Bryston products. So I think that most of the digs you hear are really pointed at them and not the product.

[rollo]

Ah to be a "Fan Boy" Two bits four bits six bits a dollar all for Bryston stand up and hollar . EHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. 

  Bryston makes an excellent product which they stand behind for LIFE. Wether the house sound floats ones boat or not, Bryston is a stand up Manf in every way.
  Back in the day when I owned a 4B foe the Maggies I shorted the speaker leads by accident and blew the output devices. not only did bryston fix it for free they installed their latest trannie for FREE. All I paid was shipping. Now that is a Manf. one could love.
  I would love to audtion the 28B amp. Pearson loved it, and I like what Harry likes.

charles

[Black Sand Cable]

I say out on a limb in the subject because of how well liked Bryston seems to be on this board...

I may be wrong, but I'm not sure that anyone here has an issue with Bryston per se, but rather with the behavior of some of the Bryston fanboys on other forums. There are plenty of amps that are not 100% state of the art and they are what they are. Your pay your money and you take your choice. And as far as most of the people on AN are concerned. if you like it in your system, good for you (even if I don't particularly like the piece. (I may be a little presumptuous inspeaking for everyone here, but I think that this is generally the case.) However; some of the Bryston supports on the other boards have been know to get particularly vicious and vindictive against people who didn't sing undying praises of Bryston products. So I think that most of the digs you hear are really pointed at them and not the product.

Agreed.

I'm actually not a fan of a few Bryston amps but I'm a fan of the company as they do make some very nice stuff.....if that makes any sense.

[Carlman]

That DAC got some good reviews when it first came out but I haven't heard much since.  I'm sure it's fine, special in its own way and like Rollo says, it's all about synergy.. and to that I add, your tastes.  If it floats your boat, or scratches an itch, or whatnot, that's all that matters.