[seb7]

Any more impressions of this dac ?
 
I keep coming back to this because of features and price. Also interested in M51 and Hex.  I've read some good things about the AKM chip as well.
 
But dleblanc343's statement:
 
"Problem is, the highs are a bit too aggressive for my already very revealing rig (Highly optimized McIntosh MC225 -> HD800/HE6). I can clearly see why the BDA-2 is more geared towards the pro market and professional studios. Very precise, but a bit too dry and sterile at times."
 
is giving me pause.
 
Is this going to be fatiguing over time? Especially when paired with HD800s

 

[MacedonianHero]

  Any more impressions of this dac ?
 
I keep coming back to this because of features and price. Also interested in M51 and Hex.  I've read some good things about the AKM chip as well.
 
But dleblanc343's statement:
 
"Problem is, the highs are a bit too aggressive for my already very revealing rig (Highly optimized McIntosh MC225 -> HD800/HE6). I can clearly see why the BDA-2 is more geared towards the pro market and professional studios. Very precise, but a bit too dry and sterile at times."
 
is giving me pause.
 
Is this going to be fatiguing over time? Especially when paired with HD800s

I've got the GS-X Mk2 (about as transparent an amp I've heard) and the BDA-2 with my HD-800s is brilliant and very inviting...not dry in the least. Actually, it's a bit on the sweet/musical side IMO. 

 

[dleblanc343]

  Any more impressions of this dac ?
 
I keep coming back to this because of features and price. Also interested in M51 and Hex.  I've read some good things about the AKM chip as well.
 
But dleblanc343's statement:
 
"Problem is, the highs are a bit too aggressive for my already very revealing rig (Highly optimized McIntosh MC225 -> HD800/HE6). I can clearly see why the BDA-2 is more geared towards the pro market and professional studios. Very precise, but a bit too dry and sterile at times."
 
is giving me pause.
 
Is this going to be fatiguing over time? Especially when paired with HD800s

Hmm, I may be more critical than most people out there, but it is a bit forward with the headphones mentioned. However, it is still SO much better than almost all consumer dacs out there. It's definitely worth a try. 
 
What's your system?
 

  I've got the GS-X Mk2 (about as transparent an amp I've heard) and the BDA-2 with my HD-800s is brilliant and very inviting...not dry in the least. Actually, it's a bit on the sweet/musical side IMO. 

Man, I really can't wait to try the GSX MKII... I really don't know whether it's neutral-forward or neutral-warm with all the conflicting reports 

 
I'm guessing it's bang on in the middle - neutral transparent. It better be!

 

 

[Olias of Sunhillow]

Any more impressions of this dac ?

Snip

Is this going to be fatiguing over time? Especially when paired with HD800s

In my experience, no. I do not find my BDA-2 > BHA-1 > HD800 rig to be fatiguing in the least. It can be a bit lean with some recordings (which is why I keep the Super 7 around) but that speaks more to the recording than the equipment.

 

[seb7]

Thanks all for your responses. I am actually looking for more treble transparency and extension so it sounds like the BDA-2 will give me that without the dreaded harshness, etch or glare that so many are wary of.
 
I am tempted to get this now...but I think I am going to wait and see what the Yggdrasil has to offer (if I can wait that long

)

 

[MacedonianHero]

  Thanks all for your responses. I am actually looking for more treble transparency and extension so it sounds like the BDA-2 will give me that without the dreaded harshness, etch or glare that so many are wary of.
 
I am tempted to get this now...but I think I am going to wait and see what the Yggdrasil has to offer (if I can wait that long

)

The BDA-1 could (depending on the setup/recording) could be a bit harsh...thankfully Bryston fixed that with the BDA-2. 

 

[Helstar]

Has anyone compared the BDA-2 with the Mytek Stereo192 DSD DAC? Wondering how different the two dac's are.

 

[music_man]

i say the bda-2 is much nicer sounding. bm and mytek are really for studio mastering. so we can have repeatable results and pick out changes. id rather listen to the bryston for enjoyment. i meant bm dac1. the dac2 is hifi gear but i still like the bryston better. in fact unmodified the bryston is better than the teac. i don't know what i could do with it but it is already good. id rather hack a dac i got for $500 then one that is $2,400. not that the bryston needs anything at it's price point. the teac stood to improve a lot. get what you pay for. the mytek can be had much cheaper than the bryston too. if you know the salesman he might give 10% off the bryston. oh, the problem with the bda-1 was the usb. i do feel it had a better psu but it does not really make a sonic difference. the bda-2 is better overall.

 

[MacedonianHero]

  i say the bda-2 is much nicer sounding. bm and mytek are really for studio mastering. so we can have repeatable results and pick out changes. id rather listen to the bryston for enjoyment. i meant bm dac1. the dac2 is hifi gear but i still like the bryston better. in fact unmodified the bryston is better than the teac. i don't know what i could do with it but it is already good. id rather hack a dac i got for $500 then one that is $2,400. not that the bryston needs anything at it's price point. the teac stood to improve a lot. get what you pay for. the mytek can be had much cheaper than the bryston too. if you know the salesman he might give 10% off the bryston. oh, the problem with the bda-1 was the usb. i do feel it had a better psu but it does not really make a sonic difference. the bda-2 is better overall.

I think the BDA-2 is a cut above. The Mytek still suffers from the Sabre-shout that plagues so many of the the ESS based DACs that I've heard. The Mytek compares very nicely to the W4S DAC-2 (which I really liked when I owned it).

 

[dallan]

I was looking for one of these at the meet yesterday but none were there.

 Want to hear it before i commit.

 

[Revogamer]

Have been trying one of these for the last few days - wow! Very detailed but musical at the same time.. not fatiguing at all; even with my HD800's (with auralic taurus) quite surprising! (was expecting a little bit of hardness as that is what i had with the BHA-1)
 
A massive step up from the gungnir i was using!
 
No shoutyness as described with sabre's too - nothing too pronounced; very neutral as far as i can see.. (hear i should say!)

Loving it

 

[MacedonianHero]

  Have been trying one of these for the last few days - wow! Very detailed but musical at the same time.. not fatiguing at all; even with my HD800's (with auralic taurus) quite surprising! (was expecting a little bit of hardness as that is what i had with the BHA-1)
 
A massive step up from the gungnir i was using!
 
No shoutyness as described with sabre's too - nothing too pronounced; very neutral as far as i can see.. (hear i should say!)

Loving it

Pretty much sums up my findings. The W4S DAC-2 had the Sabre shoutyness too. The BDA-1 was a bit on the cold side and the USB implementation left a lot to be desired. Bryston really nailed it with the BDA-2 IMO. 

 

[longbowbbs]

 

  Have been trying one of these for the last few days - wow! Very detailed but musical at the same time.. not fatiguing at all; even with my HD800's (with auralic taurus) quite surprising! (was expecting a little bit of hardness as that is what i had with the BHA-1)
 
A massive step up from the gungnir i was using!
 
No shoutyness as described with sabre's too - nothing too pronounced; very neutral as far as i can see.. (hear i should say!)

Loving it

Pretty much sums up my findings. The W4S DAC-2 had the Sabre shoutyness too. The BDA-1 was a bit on the cold side and the USB implementation left a lot to be desired. Bryston really nailed it with the BDA-2 IMO. 

The current W4S DAC2 DSDse eliminates that problem. I just sent mine back in for the new Femto clock upgrade.....Life is good in W4S land...

 

[Revogamer]

  The current W4S DAC2 DSDse eliminates that problem. I just sent mine back in for the new Femto clock upgrade.....Life is good in W4S land...

Hmm the W4S sounds interesting..
 
I am comparing the BDA-2 side by side with an Auralic vega at the moment and still find the vega to have the sabre shoutyness; while the BDA-2 is still more delicate and emotional; while having better imaging too..
 
It seems the vega can get congested when it comes to very complicated music - can become too much at times..
 
Another major thing i notice is the BDA-2 has more bass impact and control; I really did not think i would be able to determine it so easily between these two higher end DAC's

The BDA-2 seems to seperate it so that the congestion is no longer there..
 
Female vocals are pushed foward on the vega while the BDA-2 allows for the delicacy to stay intact - love it!

Bear in mine this is my opinion only.. using HD800, LCD-3 via an Auralic Taurus.
 
Both USB to the PC~
 
The Vega does have a larger sound stage; but worse imaging - strange.. the vega almost sounds artifically large; while congested at the same time? Don't know how to explain this one..
 
I would like to add..
 
The Vega definately does not sound as 'BAD' as i am making it out to be, oh the contrary it is a great sounding DAC - I think it is going to come down to preference more than anything.. although it seems my preference lies within the bryston.

 

[longbowbbs]

Exciting times for digital these days. There are many great choices. I have enjoyed the W4S for a couple of years now and have taken it through its upgrade path. I am a happy HD800 listener with this Dac....