THERE’S a new DAC from Canada’s Bryston, the BDA-3.14, which includes a built-in music player, digital volume control and an updated user interface.
“Bryston is excited to be able to deliver the exceptionally high performance of our digital music player and our DAC merged into a single chassis solution,” says the company’s sales and marketing VP Gary Dayton.
“Now, music enthusiasts can enjoy a sleek, easy-to-use ultimate performance streamer/DAC combo as centre-piece of their digital entertainment system.”
The multi-function BDA-3.14 features “streaming capability via a built-in music player that delivers access to network-connected storage and USB drives as well as streaming services such as Qobuz, Tidal, Roon and Internet radio. Digital connectivity between the internal music player and the DAC is managed using the I2S protocol, a premium interface standard used for connecting digital audio devices together that preserves audio and clock data with virtually zero error.”
The digital volume control means you can hook it up directly to a power amplifier, while the “Manic Moose” interface allows user control over all functions via smartphones, tablets and computers.
The new DAC is built on the multi-award-winning BDA-3 platform, and can decode up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM signals and up to DSDx4 natively.
“Each format is processed in its native resolution, preserving absolute bit-perfect signals all the way to the analogue outputs. Additionally, Bryston’s ultra-precise re-clocking circuit reduces jitter to nearly unmeasurable levels.”
The proprietary analogue section is completely free of integrated circuits that limit the bandwidth and dynamic range of many competitive DACs. The unit has 10 discrete inputs including four two-channel HDMI, asynchronous USB, AES/EBU, TOSLINK, and digital coaxial. It also includes Bryston’s network module, which facilitates control via TCP/IP and RS-232 for integration with modern smart home platforms.
The BDA-3.14 will be available from September, and retail at US$4,195.
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