search

Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player Manufacturers' Comment

Manufacturers' Comment

Editor: We would like to thank both Michael Fremer and John Atkinson for the time and work they put into reviewing and testing our Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player. We were very pleased that an analog lover like Michael would enjoy our digital player.

Most of the measurement results are generally to be expected from the way they were measured. What differentiates the D/A converter inside the MPS-5 from other, more conventional converters is that it uses all custom algorithms and discrete components that were not designed following classic theories and…

Bryston BDA-1 D/A converter

In February 2009, I reviewed Bryston Ltd.'s first CD player, the $2695 BCD-1, and was very impressed by what I heard. The BDA-1 ($1995) is the Canadian company's first standalone DAC. It's slim, only 2.75" high, with the engraved company name, model number, and infrared sensor grouped at the extreme left of a front panel of polished aluminum. Farther to the right are two columns of four LEDs each that comprise the sample-rate indicator, which identifies the selected input's signal frequency and whether the BDA-1 has locked to it. Closer to the center is the Upsample control, which governs the…

Bryston BDA-1 D/A converter Page 2

The resulting soundstage was the most realistic, palpable, and three-dimensional I'd ever heard in my room. Singers were enveloped in a 360° space that extended well behind them, as heard with the performance of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing," from the Chesky sampler. The first movement of the "Eroica" was spellbinding—I could hear subtle ambience cues I'd previously heard only at concerts.

Soundstages were also wider and deeper when I played CDs. There was an enhanced sense of three-dimensionality, with more precise images of the instruments in space, as heard during the percussion solo…

Bryston BDA-1 D/A converter Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Digital-to-analog converter with remote control of digital input and volume. Digital inputs: USB 1.1, four S/PDIF electrical (RCA, BNC); two S/PDIF optical (TosLink), AES/EBU (XLR). Digital input sample rates accepted: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192kHz (transformer-coupled S/PDIF, AES/EBU); 32–48kHz, USB. Input word lengths accepted: 16–24-bit, S/PDIF and AES/EBU; 16-bit, USB. Digital output: S/PDIF bypass loop output via RCA jacks. Control inputs: RS-232 port via 9-pin subminiature connector; remote 12V power-on/off trigger. Analog outputs:…

Bryston BDA-1 D/A converter Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Bryston BCD-1 CD player, Sony SCD-C555ES SACD/CD player, Bel Canto USB Link 24/96 USB-to-S/PDIF converter, Lenovo X61 laptop for media storage.
Preamplifier: Bryston BP26.
Power Amplifiers: Mark Levinson No.334 (stereo) & ML2 (monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Quad ESL-989, JL Audio Fathom f212 subwoofers (2) with Bryston 10B SUB external crossover.
Cables: Digital: Wireworld Starlight Coaxial. Interconnect: Mark Levinson Silver, Red Rose Silver One, Totem Acoustic Sinew single-ended, Pure Silver Cable, Bryston balanced. Speaker:…

Bryston BDA-1 D/A converter Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I examined the measured behavior of the Bryston BDA-1 using the high-performance Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and "As We See It" in the January 2008 issue), as well as, for some tests, my Audio Precision System One Dual Domain. To examine its performance as a USB DAC, I drove the BDA-1 with the USB 2.0 output of my MacBook running OS10.4.11, playing WAV files using Bias Peak 6.2. The Bryston identified itself to the host computer as "BRYSTON BDA-1." The BDA-1 offers two modes of operation: the audio data can be processed at their native sample…

Pro-Ject Debut III record player

In the January 2010 issue of Stereophile I gushed effusively about the $450 Marantz PM5003 integrated amplifier. Not only was I impressed with the sound, build quality, and features of this very affordable component, but, intrigued by how it might be combined with other gear to build a complete entry-level system for about a thousand bucks, I began to ponder other entry-level components that might nicely complement it. My goal here, of course, is to inspire a new generation of young audiophiles. I felt a turntable would be a good place to start.

Even Michael Fremer is surprised…

Pro-Ject Debut III record player Page 2

When I played complex and difficult music, two things struck me. First, I would have expected a turntable fitted with such an inexpensive cartridge (the Ortofon OM 5E lists for $55) to produce some smearing with torture-test records, or at least a hint of mistracking distortion. But there was no trace of either with the Debut III, even in comparison with my Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge, one of the best-tracking cartridges I've ever heard. Second, I expected an entry-level turntable with a starter cartridge to have some minor irregularities of tonal balance. After several months of…

Pro-Ject Debut III record player Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Turntable with prefitted arm and cartridge. Dustcover: yes. Nominal speeds: 33, 45rpm (78rpm available as an option). Speed variance: ±0.8%. Wow & flutter: ±0.12%. Signal/noise ratio: 65dB. Tonearm: Pro-Ject 8.6. Effective tonearm length: 8.6" (218.5mm). Effective tonearm mass: 9.5gm. Overhang: 18.5mm. Supplied counterweight compatible with cartridge mass: 3.5–5.5gm. Optional counterweights available for cartridge masses: 6–9gm, 1.5–3gm. Cartridge: Ortofon OM 5E moving-magnet. Downforce range: 10–30mN.
Dimensions: Lid open: 16.2" (415mm) W by…

Pro-Ject Debut III record player Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Source: Rega Planar 3 turntable, Syrinx PU-3 tonearm, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge.
Digital Source: Creek Destiny CD player.
Integrated Amplifiers: Creek Destiny, Marantz PM5003.
Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Silver RS6, Epos M5, Paradigm Atom v.5.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator, CVT Terminator 2. Speaker: MIT CVT Terminator 2, Acarian Systems Black Orpheus.
Accessories: Various by ASC, Bright Star, Celestion, Echo Busters, Salamander Designs, Simply Physics, Sound Anchor,…