Anyone try the Bryston BDP-2 or the BDA-2 Dac

I have both BDP-2 and BDA-2. A wonderful combination with lots of finesse. And guts. Very resolving and transparent, although it took some tweaking to bring the full glory of this combo out. They respond dramatically to high caliber cables and power. When I switched to Hi Diamond I sat back in amazement at the presentation. Music seems "honest" not editorialized or doctored. A spectacular recording sounds just that. Massive power, expansive space, delicacy, nuance. Real emotion, real involvement.

I'm feeding it with a 500 G Samsung SSD, connected via one of it's rear USB inputs. I also have 2 128G USB 3 flash drives up front with various collections. Most of my downloads are from HD Tracks, and typically 196/24 if available. There is a significant improvement with higher rez. in well-mastered stuff.

If you check my system, you'll see I've drank the HiDiamond KoolAid. Ozzy, I think you're on that road, so you'll understand. Before anything else, toss those generic computer grade power cords, then move on from there.

In summary, the Bryston combo makes for a fine musically rewarding front end. I'm back to exploring music, and enjoying every minute.

My only peeve - I wish the DAC had a polarity reversal switch. The system's transparency makes the choice of "correct" polarity so readily obvious that it's annoying to hear a track the "wrong" way. And switching both speaker leads is a nuisance, and detracts from the enjoyment

pm me if you need any more details!

It's all about the "supporting staff" with the Bryston's. I would not consider them "world-class" with stock power cord and fuses. With high caliber PCs, digital cable and IC's, as well as AMR or Synergistic (but not HiFi Tuning or Furutech) fuses, they will SING. Definitely not Bryston-dry (I don't like the "Bryston sound", in fact, and have no other Bryston equipment). Agree with 300+ hours break in, leaving on continuously playing signal.

Ozzy, the Hifi Tuning Supreme fuses, althouth nice and airy, give up too much deep bass. This was especially apparent in live recordings with ambient "room rumble" which was lost with the Supremes. It was very noticeable when I switched to the HD P4 power cables, which allow that really deep info to come through. The Furutechs are warm but somewhat thick, and the music gives up some excitement.

The Synergistic fuses are wonderful, but unfortunately every one I've tried in the BDP-2 has "popped" I think the SR's are "over-rated" from a slow-blow standpoint (not soundwise!) because they also pop in my Cary preamp. I suspect their melt time is probably quicker than HiFi Tuning, and can't take the inrush current of the Bryston BDP or Cary.

I would have been stuck putting up with the HiFi's or (God forbid) stock, if I hadn't stumbled on the AMR fuses. At $20 a fuse, these gems are a bargain in this ridiculously priced arena. But the sound is really nice. A bit on the lush side, with full bloom, and wonderful depth. No compromise in detail.

The combination of the HD P4's and the AMR fuses makes the Brystons anything but "dry". I'm not looking to try new gear now, only to listen to more music.

BTW, the resolution of this combo really allows you to hear the difference in fuse orientation. A bit of a pain, but rewarding once you get it right.

The Bryston BDP-2 takes two fuses, a 500mA and 250mA, small size, slow-blow. The BDA-2 takes a single 500mA, small, slow-blow.

Cheers

Ozzy, the AMR fuses can be purchased from the US distributer, Avatar Acoustics in Georgia. Nice folks.

Congrats!!

Be patient on the break-in. It will start to open up after 3-4 days, but quite a bit longer for full bloom. I'd get that P4 in there sooner than later, though.

A good site for info is the Bryston Audiocircle discussion forum.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=57.0

Smatsui, see my post from 9/7 re: fuses.
And I agree with you that WAV sounds better than FLAC (at least on my Brystons) More space, deeper soundstage. I know we give up "tagging" and other info with WAV, but ultimately it's about the sound. (And no intent to start a discussion here about all lossless formats sounding the same...)

I found both the Synergistic and the AMR fuses sounded very nice in the Brystons, each with its own strengths. The AMR fuses definitely were fuller in the mid-bass and a tad softer up high, in a very pleasing manner in my system. Sweet but not sugary, natural detail. The SR fuses were downright musical, and added that classic SR air. Unfortunately, they were a bit more hair-triggered at the OEM rating. I have settled on the AMRs, and enjoying them - at $20 vs. $60 a "pop"