{"product_id":"bryston-bda3-digital-to-analog-converter","title":"Bryston BDA3 Digital to Analog Converter","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;\"\u003eTen Inputs, Including Four HDMI\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eMost standalone DACs give you a USB port, a coax input and an optical one, and assume your digital life fits through them. The Bryston BDA-3 has ten digital inputs, and four of them are HDMI.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eThat is a feature almost nothing else at this level offers. HDMI is how an SACD or Blu-ray player gets its audio out, so the BDA-3 can take a DSD bitstream straight off a disc, and its HDMI output passes 4K video through to your display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eTwo USB inputs is itself unusual: a music server and a laptop can both stay connected. The BDA-3 is built in Peterborough, Ontario, stands 3.63 inches tall by 11.12 inches deep, and comes with a 17-inch or 19-inch 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;\"\u003eDual AKM Converters and a Class-A Output\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eInside are two 32-bit AKM AK4490EQ converters run in dual-mono, which buys roughly 3 dB of signal-to-noise over a single chip. Their output feeds Bryston’s own discrete, fully balanced class-A analog stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eBefore any of that, the BDA-3 strips the timing information embedded in the incoming data and reclocks it against its own master clock. The analog and digital sections have separate signal paths and separate power supplies, fed by a large toroidal transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eResolution depends on the input. USB handles PCM to 32-bit\/384 kHz and DSD to DSD256. AES\/EBU and S\/PDIF go to 24\/192, optical to 24\/96, and HDMI to 24\/192 plus DSD64 from SACD.\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;\"\u003eCarlo Lo Raso reviewed the BDA-3 for \u003cem\u003eSecrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity\u003c\/em\u003e on 15 January 2018, with bench measurements, and gave it a Best of 2018 award. His verdict: \"The Bryston BDA-3 is an exceptionally transparent piece of audio gear.\" He found it imparted no sonic signature on any input, and called its detail retrieval outstanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eHis measurements turned up one thing worth knowing. The HDMI inputs showed slightly more jitter-related sidebands than S\/PDIF or USB, and marginally higher distortion, though he noted you would not hear it. He also wanted a remote included rather than sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.25em; margin: 1.4em 0 0.35em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWho Is This DAC 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\u003eSACD owners\u003c\/strong\u003e — Bitstream DSD over HDMI from a universal player and skip the player’s own converters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSystems with many digital sources\u003c\/strong\u003e — Ten inputs covers a disc player, server, laptop, streamer and television at once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDSD listeners\u003c\/strong\u003e — Native DSD to DSD256 over USB, plus DSD over PCM.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustom installations\u003c\/strong\u003e — TCP\/IP, RS-232, USB, IR and DC trigger control, with 4K video pass-through.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot right if you want to skip the preamp\u003c\/strong\u003e — It has no volume control, so it needs a preamplifier or integrated amplifier between it and your power amp. 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\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;\"\u003ePick your input by what the source can give you. A computer or server goes to USB, where the ceiling is highest. A CD transport goes to AES\/EBU or BNC. A disc player sending DSD goes to HDMI, and its video carries on through the HDMI output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eBalanced XLR output gives 4V, single-ended RCA 2V. Front-panel buttons select each of the ten inputs directly, with LEDs showing sample rate, format and lock. Plug in what you have, press the right button, and listen.\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\u003eIntegrated amplifiers\u003c\/strong\u003e — One box between the DAC 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\u003eCD players and transports\u003c\/strong\u003e — A transport into the AES\/EBU or BNC input is a natural fit. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/digital-audio\/cd-players-and-transports\/\" style=\"color: #8a5a2b;\"\u003eCD players and transports\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterconnect cables\u003c\/strong\u003e — Balanced or single-ended out to your amplifier. 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 — Ten inputs means a lot of cable behind the unit. 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;\"\u003eWhat inputs does the BDA-3 have?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eTen: four HDMI, two asynchronous USB 2.0 Type B, one AES\/EBU on XLR, one S\/PDIF on BNC, one S\/PDIF on RCA, and one optical TosLink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eDoes it play DSD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eYes. Up to DSD256 over USB, natively or as DSD over PCM, and DSD64 over HDMI from an SACD player.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWill it pass 4K video to my television?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eYes. The HDMI output passes video through while the BDA-3 handles the audio. One of the four HDMI inputs is HDCP 2.2 compliant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eDoes it decode MQA or surround formats?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eNo to both. The BDA-3 is two-channel and does not support MQA, Dolby Digital or DTS. Over HDMI it takes the two-channel stream only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.05em; margin: 0.9em 0 0.25em 0; font-weight: 600;\"\u003eWhat does the Upsample button do?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 0.9em 0; line-height: 1.55;\"\u003eIt takes 44.1 or 88.2 kHz to 176.4, and 48 or 96 kHz to 192. It works on the S\/PDIF and AES\/EBU inputs only, not USB or HDMI.\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 DACs, DSD playback, or connecting digital sources? 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","offer_id":47600668278957,"sku":"NEW-BYBDA3-BLK","price":4295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"New \/ Silver","offer_id":47600668311725,"sku":"NEW-BYBDA3-SIL","price":4295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/BYBDA3_1.jpg?v=1790863176","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/bryston-bda3-digital-to-analog-converter","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}