I acquired a BR-20 in May. I was previously using a BDP-1 player with a BP-26 preamp with integrated DAC.
The BR-20 is easily a much better digital player than the BDP-1 and the DAC can handle 196KHz signals plus DSD, whereas the BP-26 DAC card is limited to 92KHz signals and no DSD (though I have few 196KHz music files and no DSD). It also sounds great. Compared to the BP26, the BR-20's soundstage is much better defined and more stable; detail retrieval and accuracy are also slightly better. On the other hand, the BP-26 sounds a little more lively, more "present", whereas the BR-20 is more restrained. My only wish is that the BR-20 could be used as a straight digital player & DAC, i.e. bypassing the preamp section because I also have a BHA-1 headphone amp, and my Focal Utopia headphones sound noticeably better if I play music from my BDP-1 player through the BP-26 than directly from the BR-20, or even with the BR-20 feeding my BHA-1 amp. Don't get me wrong, the headphone output from the BR-20 is very good, but it doesn't sound as good as the BHA-1 for which I also use a really good XLR cable (which I can't use with the BR-20). Overall, though, a fantastic player, DAC, preamp, or whatever you want to call it!!! |
Hi, I am looking to purchase a BR-20 and 4B cubed but need to check that I can integrate this with my Marantz SR7013 AV receiver.
I currently use Pre-Amp (RCA) out from the Marantz to drive my stereo speakers and my stereo amp (RCA) has pass -thru mode so I only need to use the Marantz to control the volume side of things. How would I handle this with the BR-20? Can the the RCA inputs on the BR-20 be set to pass-thru? Do any of the 4 HDMI input on the optional board be set to pass-thru? Hope someone can help!! Graham |
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I would email both of these folks for the correct answer: mpickett@bryston.com jspence@bryston.com I am also an Authorized Bryston dealer, once you hear back. Best, Ivan |
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I have the BP-17^3 and the BHA-1. With the BP-17, there is an internal jumper that sets one of the pre-outs to fixed/bypass and this drives the BHA-1 (balanced XLR). So, I mute the BP-17 and turn on the BHA-1 for headphones. This is not possible on the BR-20?? |
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I tried a BR-20 at home over the weekend.
It does not offer fixed outputs, confirmed with Bryston. So running with the BHA-1 headphone amp is not as direct as the BP-17 or BP-26 preamps. However, the built in headphone amp is indistinguishable from the BHA-1 on my Audeze LCD-3 (which are relatively easy to drive), so the need for a separate headphone amp is certainly reduced. The BR-20 is an impressive device. No doubt about the sound quality. The software is still evolving (I had some volume control quirks), but it offers impressive integration possibilities, replacing external DACs, network streamers/bridges, etc. If I were to ask for anything, it would assignable front panel buttons - currently there are dedicated buttons for each input, resulting in a great deal of buttons to be sure. |
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