WE gave you an inkling of this in our interview with Bryston president Brian Russell recently, now here’s the official word – the Canadian company has just unveiled its BDA-2 DAC, a 32-bit resolver with high-resolution USB inputs. This is not a replacement for the acclaimed BDA-1, but instead, builds on its template to meet the constantly and rapidly expanding demands of computer-based systems
This cutting edge DAC uses fully discrete Class-A proprietary analogue circuits, two independent (analogue and digital) linear power supplies and dual 32-bit AKM DAC chips. The new asynchronous USB input onboard is capable of 24-bit/192kHz resolution. The AKM 32-bit chips are among the highest resolution available currently.
The power supply has two independent secondary windings on the power transformer – one each for the digital and analogue sections. Each stage in the digital chain is also independently regulated to factor out unwanted interactions and provide rock steady power delivery for the up-sampling/over-sampling process.
There is no stinting of features here – high-resolution USB, coaxial, optical, AES-EBU and BNC digital inputs are provided, along with balanced XLR as well as unbalanced RCA stereo outputs.
To ensure longevity, the BDA-2 can be upgraded via software to bring it up to date with market demands.
“With more and more consumers relying on their computers as a source of entertainment in the home, we felt it imperative to offer a DAC with high performance USB inputs,” Bryston vice-president James Tanner said in a statement.
“Additionally, the new 32-bit DAC chips deliver stunning resolution and detail. The BDA-2 was built upon the award-winning BDA-1 architecture, which emphasised isolation, low noise and imperceptibly low levels of distortion and jitter,” he added. The BDA-1 will remain in the Bryston line-up for the foreseeable future, we’re informed.
The BDA-2, which comes with a five-year warranty, retails at US$2,395 and is now shipping, so check with your distributor for details.
