Bryston BCD-1 compared to more expensive players?

I had a BCD-1, but I can only compare it from memory to a Sim Audio Nova, and the Modwright Sony 999. These players are nowhere near 4-5 times the cost of the BCD-1. They are however comparable at retail price. I would say that if it sounds good in your setup (you used the words "quite amazing"), to me that says the BCD-1 is a really strong match in your setup. Matching components well goes a long way towards achieving optimum performance. In fact, the toughest task in building a satisfying system is matching components well. The BCD-1 wasn't as good a match in my system, but I could still recognize its quality. Since it sounds "quite amazing" my advice is to buy it.

i have had bcd-1 for at least 10 months - to me it is one of the top 3 players i have ever owned - i don't know if it compares to players 4-5 times its price - but it def sounds very good and it has hard hitting dynamics and has great seperation

It doesn't make bad recordings sound good (the old cliche) - but on good recordings it sounds marvelous

I have a Bryston BCD-1 and I absolutely love it. I haven't compared it to anything else more expensive nor do I feel the need to. For one thing, I couldn't afford anything more expensive so it would be a waste of time. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best bang for the buck. I was using a Rotel RCD-1072 and the Bryston is far superior.

The Sony SCD-XA5400ES beats the Bryston BCD-1 at half the price in a head to head comparison!

Not to say anything negative about the Bryston, I previously owned Bryston pre and power amplification and was very happy with it until I evetually upgraded to the Krell FPB cx series. I did audition the BCD-1 last year and did some careful listening and feature comparisons to the Cambridge Audio 840c. While I felt they were close in audible performance, I also concluded that the feature/performance/$$$ ratio favored the Cambridge player and so I purchased one. The Bryston player's performance was solid though. It's just that I was looking for the sound and DACs that I got with the Cambridge.

Don, could you be more specific as I was going to buy the Bryston, to replace my Shanling, but am now interested in the Sony. Thanks.

The Sony SCD-XA5400ES is more natural, and has more depth, space, and smooth sound compared to the Bryston BCD-1.

The Bryston BCD-1 is sharp and dry sounding, with less depth!

You should try to audition them at home,with your gear,room,
music ect.
I auditioned three players,an Arcam(top player then),
Bryston BCD-1 and an ARC CD-7.
For over a year I had saved for the cd-7 and then I had enough to buy it.
I figured I'll at least AUDITION a few players.
to make this short,I ended with the Bryston and no regrets.
To top it all off they were all plugged into a ARC ref-3.
Anyway I preferred the Bryston,but that's the best way is to
audition for YOU,as you will be the one listening for years to come,good luck.

Don't know about more expensive players, but in a recent showdown with the Bryston and Sony the Denon DCD A100 ($1500 street price) was the preferred choice. It matched the others in bass and scale but had a more neutral perspective. It didn't have the dryness of the Bryston (as described by Don_c55) and was less upfront than the Sony.