{"product_id":"bryston-bcd3-cd-player","title":"Bryston BCD3 CD Player","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"max-width: 720px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 32px 24px 48px 24px; background: #ffffff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 0 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eOne Format, Done Properly\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eAlmost every disc player sold today has a DVD drive inside. It will spin a CD, but it was designed to do several jobs at once. The Bryston BCD-3 does one: CD, CD-R and CD-RW, and nothing else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThat decision cost Bryston years. The company wanted a transport clocked natively at 44.1 kHz, the rate the CD format actually uses, and waited rather than settle for a drive built around other rates. The result is a professional-grade optical transport with a metal tray on support rails, and a single quartz master clock the transport and converters both run from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThe BCD-3 is made in Peterborough, Ontario. It weighs 8.8 pounds and measures 3.325 inches tall by 11.53 inches deep, with a 17-inch or 19-inch aluminium faceplate in black or silver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eAKM Converters and a Discrete Class-A Output\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eData comes off the disc into two balanced AKM converters, running the design Bryston developed for its BDA-3 DAC. Because the pickup and the converters share one master clock rather than passing data between timing domains, jitter is attacked at the source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThe analog output stage is Bryston’s own: fully balanced, class-A, built from discrete components rather than op-amp chips. Behind it sits a linear power supply with a substantial toroidal transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThe numbers follow. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, noise sits at −140 dB, and THD plus noise is under 0.001 percent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003ePhilip Beaudette reviewed the BCD-3 for \u003cem\u003eSoundStage! Hi-Fi\u003c\/em\u003e on 15 September 2017. What struck him was the absence of anything to describe: \"it had almost no discernible sonic character.\" He called it a faithful conduit to the music, and heard details on familiar albums he had never noticed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eHis criticisms were practical rather than sonic. He wanted the OLED display larger so he could read it from his listening chair, and wished the BR2 remote had been included rather than sold separately. When he fed an outboard DAC from the digital output, he could not reliably hear a difference from the player on its own, which says something about the converters inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWho Is This CD Player Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; padding-left: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone with a large CD collection\u003c\/strong\u003e — Discs you already own, played properly, with nothing to set up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eListeners who want simplicity\u003c\/strong\u003e — Load a disc, press play. No app, no network, no account.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalanced systems\u003c\/strong\u003e — True XLR analog output at 4V, alongside single-ended RCA at 2V.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustom installers\u003c\/strong\u003e — RS-232, Ethernet, USB and IR control, plus a 2U rack option and a web interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot right if you want hi-res or streaming\u003c\/strong\u003e — This is a Red Book player, full stop. For files and services, a converter and a streamer is the better route; see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/digital-audio\/digital-to-analog-converters\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003edigital-to-analog converters\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eOne cable run and you are finished. Use the balanced XLR outputs into a preamplifier or integrated amplifier if both ends support it, or the RCA outputs if not. If you already own a DAC you prefer, the AES\/EBU and S\/PDIF outputs let the BCD-3 work as a transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eControl is by front panel, infrared, RS-232, or a built-in web interface reached over Ethernet. Plug it in, load a disc, and get on with listening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eHere is what usually sits around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; padding-left: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreamplifiers\u003c\/strong\u003e — The natural partner for the balanced outputs. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/amplifiers-preamplifiers\/preamplifiers\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003epreamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegrated amplifiers\u003c\/strong\u003e — One box between the player and your speakers. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/amplifiers-preamplifiers\/integrated-amplifiers\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003eintegrated amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterconnect cables\u003c\/strong\u003e — Balanced or single-ended, this is the one run that matters. Shop \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/cables\/interconnect-cables\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003einterconnect cables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAudio racks\u003c\/strong\u003e — A disc transport appreciates a stable, level shelf. See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/furniture\/audio-racks\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003eaudio racks\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eDoes the BCD-3 play SACD or hi-res discs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eNo. It plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW only. A hybrid SACD will play its Red Book layer only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eCan I use it as a transport with my own DAC?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eYes. An AES\/EBU output on XLR and an S\/PDIF output on RCA both bypass the internal converters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eIs the USB port for connecting a computer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eNo, and this trips people up. The USB and Ethernet ports are for control and integration only. The BCD-3 will not play files from a computer or drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eHow do I control it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eFrom the front panel, by infrared using Bryston’s BR2 handset or a universal remote, or through RS-232, Ethernet or USB in a control system. On a network it also offers a web page mirroring the front panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWill it fit my rack?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThe faceplate comes in 17-inch or 19-inch widths, and the chassis is 3.325 inches tall by 11.53 inches deep. A 2U rack-mount option is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; padding-left: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e40+ Years of Expertise\u003c\/strong\u003e — Since 1981, we’ve helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it’s right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal Experts, Real Help\u003c\/strong\u003e — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible Payment Options\u003c\/strong\u003e — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about CD playback, balanced connections, or matching a player to your amplifier? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bryston","offers":[{"title":"New \/ Black \/ 18 Inch","offer_id":47600913842349,"sku":"NEW-BYBCD3CD-BLK-18IN","price":4695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"New \/ Silver \/ 18 Inch","offer_id":47600913875117,"sku":"NEW-BYBCD3CD-SIL-18IN","price":4695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/BYBCD3CD_1.jpg?v=1790861690","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/bryston-bcd3-cd-player","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}