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  #1091  
Old 03-07-2017, 06:23 PM
nicoff nicoff is offline
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Gbaby,
You mentioned above that you are not using the BDA3.

Are you saying that your music does not go through the BDA3 at all? Or just that you are not using the DACs inside the BDA3?

I was under the impression that you are connected as follows:
Hard-drive -> BDA3 -> SP3



Or are you using some other device?
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  #1092  
Old 03-08-2017, 11:13 AM
gbaby gbaby is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicoff View Post
Gbaby,
You mentioned above that you are not using the BDA3.

Are you saying that your music does not go through the BDA3 at all? Or just that you are not using the DACs inside the BDA3?

I was under the impression that you are connected as follows:
Hard-drive -> BDA3 -> SP3



Or are you using some other device?
I use a Bryston BDP-2 to play all my music files. It is connected to the SP3 using the digital XLR out from the BDP2 straight to the digital XLR input of the SP3. I also have the BDP-2 connecet to the BDA-3 using the BNC out from the BDP2 to the BDA3 D/A converter. In addition, I have the BDP2 connected to the BDA3 using the USB output and input of both units. So, I have the BDP2 connected in 3 different outputs. Great options in my opinion. If you own the SP3, I think owing the BDP2 or 3 is a must.
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  #1093  
Old 03-10-2017, 04:16 PM
nicoff nicoff is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaby View Post
I use a Bryston BDP-2 to play all my music files. It is connected to the SP3 using the digital XLR out from the BDP2 straight to the digital XLR input of the SP3. I also have the BDP-2 connecet to the BDA-3 using the BNC out from the BDP2 to the BDA3 D/A converter. In addition, I have the BDP2 connected to the BDA3 using the USB output and input of both units. So, I have the BDP2 connected in 3 different outputs. Great options in my opinion. If you own the SP3, I think owing the BDP2 or 3 is a must.

Sound wise, how does the DAC of the BDA3 compare to that of the SP3?
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  #1094  
Old 03-11-2017, 02:40 AM
Stefan_DR3's Avatar
Stefan_DR3 Stefan_DR3 is offline
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Haven't heard SP3 but BDA3 > BDA2 > SP3 for two channel.
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  #1095  
Old 03-11-2017, 01:14 PM
gbaby gbaby is offline
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Originally Posted by nicoff View Post
Sound wise, how does the DAC of the BDA3 compare to that of the SP3?
If you are listening in 2 channel, the BDA3 is better. But, 7.1 or 5.1 surround negates any advantage a better 2 channel DAC may have. I rarely listen to the BDA3 preferring to use the SP3 in surround.
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  #1096  
Old 03-11-2017, 02:34 PM
nicoff nicoff is offline
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For multichannel music: Is anyone here using an external multichannel DAC (like exasound for example) connected to the SP3? If so, how do the DACs compare?
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  #1097  
Old 03-11-2017, 02:47 PM
gbaby gbaby is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicoff View Post
For multichannel music: Is anyone here using an external multichannel DAC (like exasound for example) connected to the SP3? If so, how do the DACs compare?
I thought you would have been able to deduce the fact that as good as the BDA3 is as a D/A converter, the surround sound from the SP3 is better. You need to address this specific question to Kal Rubinson, the only one I know with a multi-channel D/A converter.
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  #1098  
Old 03-11-2017, 04:35 PM
nicoff nicoff is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaby View Post
I thought you would have been able to deduce the fact that as good as the BDA3 is as a D/A converter, the surround sound from the SP3 is better. You need to address this specific question to Kal Rubinson, the only one I know with a multi-channel D/A converter.

Thanks Gbaby. I was not addressing my question directly to you. My post specifically started with "Is anyone here". That said, I welcome Kal's advice and anyone elses who is familiar with multichannel DACs!

On the other hand, i am aware that the BDA3 is a two channel DAC and the SP3 is multichannel. However, one could, for example, use the SP3 to listen to a CD in two-channel stereo mode (not multichannel) and compare that to the BDA3 connected via analog to the SP3 (using 2-channel bypass). That way you are comparing the two DACs in an Apple to Apple comparison (i.e., both in stereo mode) not in stereo vs multichannel.
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  #1099  
Old 03-11-2017, 05:38 PM
gbaby gbaby is offline
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Originally Posted by nicoff View Post
... However, one could, for example, use the SP3 to listen to a CD in two-channel stereo mode (not multichannel) and compare that to the BDA3 connected via analog to the SP3 (using 2-channel bypass). That way you are comparing the two DACs in an Apple to Apple comparison (i.e., both in stereo mode) not in stereo vs multichannel.
I have done this. I have compared the Stereo performance of my SP3 and the Sony XA-5400ES CD player using its digital and analog outputs as well as playing the XA-5400 through the BDA3 D/A converter using the analog outs through the balanced analog inputs of the SP3. In fact, you can compare the D/A converter between the two units with the click of a button from Balance 1 input to Balance 2 input. The BDA3 is hands down a better D/A converter over the SP3 or the Sony XA-5400ES. But, when I switch to an appropriate surround mode on the SP3 and use 7 speakers with 7 different amps, its a sound that eludes any 2 channel D/A converter. The SP3 is known more for being a superb surround processor and not the last word in 2 channel performance.

Last edited by gbaby; 03-11-2017 at 05:43 PM.
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  #1100  
Old 03-11-2017, 06:59 PM
gbaby gbaby is offline
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Nicoff, I am trying to save you some time. I feel the SP3 may be as good as it reasonably gets. We need to be discussing more software than equipment. With its excellent analog section, it will be hard to top. I tried to make myself like ATMOS but it felt more of a gimmick with both music and movies. The best improvement you can have in my opinion is the purchase of the BDP2 or 3, but it would be more advantageous if you have an extensive collection of CDs.
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