Bryston BDA-3

Not accurate but perhaps somewhat helpful in getting to know a little more of what the brand is about. But your right its mostly moot. I think this is what set me going "I think there might be further improvements possible if I could select the AKM4490 filter, but that's not possible and I don't know if Bryston will make it possible. In the meantime, I am using Dirac Live RCS to help with that a little".

They seem to stay on top of what people are after, or they just know what sounds good and stay on top of upgrades and tweaking of models to improve upon them. 

Your preconceived points are why I added the last bit. I have heard the BDA3 and do like it. But then a lot of people like a lot of things. I have a feeling this isnt helping much... 

I don't know that looking at the BDA-1 or BDA-2 are going to give an accurate picture of the BDA-3 sound. The BDA-2 uses the AKM4399 chip which has a choice of two internal filter settings. The BDA-3 uses the AKM4490 chip which has a choice of five internal filter settings. I happen to know the filter setting on the BDA-3 is not one of the two available on the BDA-2. In my opinion the BDA-3 filter choice has a subtle but audible impact on the sound character.

Are there any Bryston dealers or customers near you? Trying to hear the BDA-3 first hand is most likely the best option. We have multiple DACs, including ones from brands we do not sell, at our location that make direct comparisons possible.

If you look into the predecessors it may be somewhat helpful as well. Bryston is a company that continuously successfully builds onto platforms once they have established. They dont wander too far off the beaten path or rediscover the wheel so to speak. They will often upgrade as technology evolves and permits without necessarily making it known unless there are very significant improvements to be made. They never seemed to share the reinvention of the wheel type of mentality that so many companies seem to posses. Or come out with a new model after a few tweaks and improvements. Instead they will make improvements behind the curtain. I found this true with their products. With the progressively larger steps in digital advancements in technology you can pardon the obvious exceptions. An honest brew makes its own friends. Thats a good one.  

You are welcome.
You can reach out to some of the users on Audiocircle.com, who actually own the BDA-3 and check with them. Seems like a promising product.

Thanks milpai  The first link is actually referencing the second.  the google translator doesn't seem to work to well for me, but thanks for the link.

mahler123 ,
Two links for you:

http://www.hifistatement.net/tests/item/1708-bryston-bda-3

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=otcv5gm25aa6k1a3umaam6slp5&topic=138471.380

The first link is in German. So you might want to use Google Translate.

Thanks nekoaudio.   I'm also interested in the BDA-3, but its hard to find much on it.    I've been interested to hear how it sounds vs some of the Chord products and the yggdrasil.  

Your description helps a lot as I also am interested in keeping some of the quick transient response of my current sabre dac.

I just got one in about a month ago. I was auditioning various DACs and the BDA-3 interested me because it features the new AKM4490 chip. I did critical listening comparisons with a Sabre DAC, proprietary R2R DAC, and casual comparisons with some other DACs. I decided the BDA-3 to be the best choice among those, and am now using it in our reference 2-channel system and applied to become a Bryston dealer because of my decision on the BDA-3.

I feel the Sabre DAC has a little more distortion, and the R2R DAC is too laid back (not as punchy) with slightly worse transient response. The BDA-3 is clean like the R2R DAC but has the quick transient response of the Sabre DAC. I think there might be further improvements possible if I could select the AKM4490 filter, but that's not possible and I don't know if Bryston will make it possible. In the meantime, I am using Dirac Live RCS to help with that a little.

I have not tried DSD over HDMI myself, however I know people are successfully doing that from the OPPO BD players. I am primarily using the USB, coaxial, and TOSLink connections.