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?