A question about the Bryston BDA-3's HDMI inputs

Update: in the end, I've gone a different direction by buying a Denafrips Pontus Gen-15, the newest iteration of that DAC. Price was irresistible, and it appears that this new version is analogous to the previous Venus II 12th in design and sound. Its main allure for me was its ability to accept I2s via HDMI, which is a connection I've been wanting to use with my Shanling ET-3 transport. I'm still running this DAC in for the next week or so, as suggested by the seller (Audioman58 here on Audiogon). So far I'm very impressed indeed, but let's see how things improve with proper burn-in. 

I'll post a more detailed review in its own thread when everything's settled in.

Peoples over on the Audiocircle/brsyston forum should be able to confirm.

srinisr

This TAS review of the BDA-3 seems to suggest that you can play sacd via the HDMI port

The BDA-3 can definitely play SACDs from an HDMI input, although few SACD players offer that option. The Oppo that @mahler123 is using is one of the few that does.

This TAS review of the BDA-3 seems to suggest that you can play sacd via the HDMI port here is an excerpt:

In head-shakingly stark contrast, SACD playback over HDMI from the Sony BDP-BX37 (used exclusively after the BDP-6200’s disc drawer mysteriously locked shut) sounded dramatically more open, incisive, controlled, focused, linear, and responsive to the ebb and flow of musical contour

Full review here:

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/bryston-bda-3-dac/

I think this is the only thing that can do DSD from SACD disks via HDMI.

GeerFab Audio D.BOB Digital BreakOut Box (OPEN) – Upscale Audio

I use it to play my SACDs from a cheap OPPO. I use a Benchmark DAC3B to do the conversion of the digital steam I get from the D.BOB.

I had bought the BDA-3 precisely for its ability to play the DSD from SACD over HDMI.  I use an Oppoo 105 to output theDSD.  I believe that @cleeds is correct here

Thanks for the response--I didn't think so either, but thought it worth asking. The BDA-3, as I understand it, can only render DSD files via USB, but renders SACD discs via HDMI. 

cooper52

... can the BDA-3 interpret I2s data over an HDMI cable? 

I do not think so and do not think there is any standard for that. I am pretty sure the BDA-3 will only play DSD files through its USB input.