Bryston bdp-3 Sweet Streamer!
 

I must first say thank you Bryston for actually designing a product that
actually acknowledges the use of the Squeeze Server application. Damn...
It does sound good, very detailed and open in it's presentation. A little
bright for my taste maybe with more break-in time it will tone down. Otherwise it was the easiest install ever! Open box.... connect, power up.... select as a Squeezelite player...... POOF music!! I didn't have to change my infra structure!:D

Thanks

Here is my story on how I got here.....

It has been a frustrating 8 months trying to integrate my music library
as-is! In 2008 I made the decision to master my LP collection into 96Khz
aiff files uncompressed. My DIY streamer finally died after 10+yrs of
faithful service. I thought by now the audio industry would have made something better and wasn't USB solution only.

I tried Lumin....... It failed because it doesn't recognize uncompressed over 44.1 plus it didn't sound all that good!! DUMB. Then tried a Naim X2 ND5 that unit worked fine for TWO MONTHS. The play back was very detailed and warm in its presentation. Until a forced FIRMWARE update changed on how upnp functions with Squeeeze Server. Naim tech support was useless. I ask if I could just roll back their firmware to the prior release? NO! was their response...... But they countered with...... You can switch to Roon? What!? Why would I pay a monthly fee for the same features I've been using for years for FREE!? Okay..... You can buy our 3TB server. WHAT!? Why must I change from my server to your server product? Your Company reduced the unit functionality not me!!! Anyway it is unable to house my 5.7TB collection! Call ended with a promise to look into my concern. Yeah I can take the HINT!

Ken,

Ken... very glad to know you are enjoying your new BDP-3 :ok:

I agree with you about the BDP-3 - it's a fantastic streamer. I bought mine after losing patience with all of the issues I was having with my Aurender and my only regret is that I didn't dump the Aurender sooner. The Bryston is simply stable - solid as a rock! - and sounds great.

I don't find the BDP-3 to be bright, however. I am using a Wireworld cable on the USB out to a Bryston BDA-3, so perhaps that makes a difference. It sounds so good connected this way that I haven't bothered to experiment with other connection options.

The one complaint I've heard about the BDP-3 is about the Manic Moose interface. Let's face it: It isn't the most elegant, but that doesn't seem to be an issue for you. Improvements are supposedly in the pipeline. Those who want something better now should consider getting Rigelian, which is very inexpensive and works like a charm. It's only for i-devices, however.

Designing an interface is hard and time consuming development process. Their are options for streamers. The ones listed below are highly rated for their interface design

1.) iPeng (IOS only) oldie but a goodie.... my default for the iPad mini
2.) Sqeezepad (IOS only) it's okay....
3.) Orange Squeeze (Android only) Not sure..... but not available any more in the Google store. Available from website and you'll have to do a manual install. I use Orange Squeeze as my default player for my Android devices!
4.) Sqeezeplayer (Android only) again not available in store..... can be found on the internet.

I'll take a look at Rigelian. Never heard of them before.

Ken,

Ken, as the saying goes... You get what you pay for! https://youtu.be/bC3vpBxtLhE

I watched and I repeat! :D I'm not knocking Roon at all! The Squeeze Server community over the years have provided the same level of functionalities prior to Roon existence. Roon is just doing all the up front leg work of configuration for their users. Again Roon and Squeeze Server are just databases.....!! But I do like Roon's pretty art work layout.

Ken,

I am not a Squeezebox user so I can't make any comments of one vs the other but as a lifetime subscriber to Roon (it has already paid for itself so now it is free) the only I thing I would suggest is take it for a free trial for fun. You may get hooked as many others did. Roon is so much more than I can type here...

https://roonlabs.com/pricing

I did try it..... Hence why I don't understand a subscription is required. But I understand the Roon love......

I am sure you meant BDP-3 rather than BDA-3. But, I am curious, what is it about the Manic Moose interface that folks don't like? I for one just use Manic Moose for music selection. I don't look at the interface otherwise as I am trying to listen to the music. So, again, I am trying to find out what is is about Manic Moose that folks do not like?:scratch2:

Yes, I did mean BDP-3 and not BDA-3. Good catch, thank you! I edited the post to make the correction.

The Manic Moose interface just isn't as slick as some of the competition's software, such as Aurender. For example, the Qobuz functionality is extremely limited by comparison to Aurender's Conductor app, but the trade-off is more than worth it to me.

Well, just ask yourself which is more important, a slick interface or sound quality. I read where either you or someone else had an Aurender, but traded it for the BDP-3. Remember, with the BDP-3, you have a fully functional interface and pristine sound quality. The sound quality and ease of use of the interface is the most important priority. A "slick" interface will increase the cost of this product when, in fact, the interface is unimportant when one considers the sound quality.

The BDP 3 is a great piece. Manic Moose is stable, reliable and great sounding. Its sound quality was enough for me to let ROON go after the Bryston 60 day trial.

What I would like to see is Qobuz integration in the artist view and tied into the scrapper as Tidal appears to be. For now however, I am pleasantly pleased with the Moose!

I did have an Aurender and dumped it at a loss when I bought the Bryston. I am much, much happier with the BDP-3 and have been from the day I first installed it. It's been absolutely stable, whereas the Aurender was a nuisance and customer support was indifferent. And I'm being kind.

Which Aurender? Did you ever get it working well enough to compare the sound quality to the BDP-3?

I had an Aurender N100H. Frankly, I was so happy to be getting rid of it that I didn't spend a lot of time comparing it to the BDP-3. I think they are very close sonically with perhaps a slight advantage to the Bryston, or perhaps that's just a result of the bias I developed against the Aurender.

I know that many users praise the Aurender streamers and customer support, but that wasn't my experience at all. I'm fairly competent with technology and I write clearly - so I am not happy when I get an answer back from tech support telling me the remedy to my issue is something I already told them I'd tried. Nor do I appreciate being told the issue is missing files when clearly the files are not missing. Or any of the other excuses and nonsense I got back from "Ari" at Aurender.

I've been an audiophile for a long time. One thing I figured out years ago is that this hobby is supposed to be fun, so if a component becomes a nuisance, the only solution is to bail out. So good riddance, Aurender.

After one day with the Bryston I got it to do what the Aurender couldn't in the nine months I owned it.

I am likely going to add a streamer to my system this year and the BDP-3 (in black) is on the short list along with an N10. I probably won't be able to go and listen to them, so I will be making the decision based on info gathering. Your Aurender experience is definitely something I'll keep in mind.

I don't want to break the bank on a streamer. I am using an XPS13 running JRiver USB out to my D1100. The D1100 is a very nice DAC in my opinion and the USB input does not disappoint. The whole noisy computer USB jitter argument just is not happening, it sounds sublime. I'm sure my Wireworld Platinum USB cable from Ivan is helping also. I wouldn't mind having a streamer where I could compare USB to digital coax and AES though.

1.) Want the slick interface try iPeng for IOS. :thumbsup:
http://penguinlovesmusic.de/

2.) Want the slick inteface try OrangeSqueeze for Android. :thumbsup:

The only thing I don't know is if other the hardware streamer's lock you in,
and not allow access. I do know Lumin and Naim allowed access!

Don't worry about the break in time. It took about 5 hrs to settle in and open up. The Bryston BDP-3 definitely has its own opinion on musical presentation. It reminds me of this post I made having to replace tubes in my preamp. I the use digital XLR since I own nothing above 96hz. But I've been eyeing the D1100.... hmmmm
https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=45867

I, for one, appreciate your candor and honesty which seems to be rare these days. Since you mentioned customer support, before my unit became a BDP-3, I was having problems with my then BDP-2. Chris from Bryston spent about two hours straight trying to help me by phone. The only reason it took so long is due to my having computer issues. In the end, he resolved my issues. Thank you for your response. :thumbsup:

Can you please explain what you mean here? Do you think the BDP-3 is colored?

I have the Naim nd5 x2 and the Bryston BDP-3. When going back and forth between the units in listening to the same song. They aren't same in musical presentations. I must say........ this isn't a case of "a" is better than "b" or in any combination. The Bryston BDP-3 is bright and open vs warm and open. Neither are bad at all, they both kick the living crap out of my prior PC setup with a RME Hammerfall 9632 audio card! If Naim tech support hadn't been a total waste, I've wouldn't looked into the Bryston BDP-3 as a replacement. Believe me I don't have buyers remorse on either unit!!! I'm still going to pester Naim to fix their OPINION on upnp implementation!!!

What are you using for a D/A converter? Are you using AES, optical or coaxial?

DAC: McIntosh MDA1000 via coaxial

I'm using Madrigal AES from my BDP-2 to my SP3. I hear AES is still the best digital interconnect. Never tried USB.

Have you tried AES to your MDA1000?

Yes! The Naim doesn't have AES connector only coaxial. But on the Bryston I just hooked both AES and coaxial and switch back and forth on the MDA1000 playing a song. I repeat..... On this system they had the same sound. Side note it could be the design of the MDA1000?:scratch2: I found the same sounding identical results using a RME Hammerfall pci audio card. Maybe if I had D1100 I might get different results? Either way I'm not worrying about it!

Bryston bdp-3 Sweet Streamer!
 

I think “slick interface” is oversimplifying the issue. For starters we need an interface that doesn’t require opening a computer with large screen to browse my collection in the tiny bottom right corner of a web page that keeps losing its place while fighting multiple scroll bars.

Once you are used to a native app like Tidal or Spotify (regardless if you are a desktop or mobile user) the Bryston way seems very cumbersome. There are programming interfaces like Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect that they should look into. This is what the leading competitors use.

I think you misread my last post. Those apps that I suggested are for iPad/iPhone/iPad mini devices or Android tablets/phones devices. No laptop needed to use!

You may want to have both AES and USB connected to the SP3. I have it connected both ways and it sounds good but it depends on the composition. It can sound a little dry after sustained listening, but I think you owe it to yourself to have it as a listening option. Do not get a cheap cable as the sonic difference is shocking.

Bryston bdp-3 Sweet Streamer!
 

I was referring to the problems with a browser based interface like MM. I use Rigelian too. These apps definitely provide a neat, simplified alternative to MM. Unfortunately they don’t integrate with the streaming services like Tidal. So I just wanted to clarify for [mention]gbaby [/mention] that the problems with MM are beyond aesthetics, and you’re right that some of these problems are overcome by simple 3rd party apps.

However the “artist view” in MM has great potential. Unfortunately I didn’t even know it existed until recently when I saw a YouTube demo. I don’t think I would have understood it without the demo either. The other problem is it keeps dropping out of my Tidal account and have to log in every time I turn on the BDP!

Can you PM me on a suggested USB cable?

PM Ivan for Wireworld!

Sorry, but I did not know how to PM you. But, the brand of USB cable I use is a Pangea. It cost about $40.00 and I got it from Audio Advisor. They let me try a couple of cables and each had its own sonic signature. I still think AES is the best sounding connection, but it is nice to hear USB as it may be more detailed in certain songs.

Bryston bdp-3 Sweet Streamer!
 

Not to mention that you need USB for DSD or PCM higher than 192k.

However I prefer my ancient Transparent Premium AES/EBU cable for regular duties (PCM up to 192k).

I have the original HDMI board in my SP3, so I don't think I can go with 192k.

It depends on the USB module in the SP3. There was an upgrade, maybe you can still buy it, if DSD is important to you:

http://old.bryston.com/PDF/news/2017...3_version3.pdf

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