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DACs — Bryston BDA-3.14
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Bryston BDA-3.14
Image source — © Bryston
The BDA-3.14 is a digital to analogue converter, network streamer and digital preamplifier from Bryston, made in Canada. Bryston had long kept streaming and conversion in separate boxes, and this model merges its BDP player and BDA converter platforms. It starts from the BDA-3 converter and adds a streamer inside the same chassis.
Key specs that matter
The internal streamer plays files up to 192 kHz and 24 bit and supports Tidal, Qobuz, Roon and internet radio. It connects to the converter section over I2S, which Bryston calls the most accurate digital interconnection method currently available. External digital inputs are two USB ports, AES/EBU, S/PDIF on RCA, S/PDIF on BNC and Toslink. PCM is decoded up to 384 kHz and 32 bit, and DSD up to DSD-256. The fully discrete Class A balanced analogue outputs deliver 4 V on XLR, while the RCA outputs give 2 V. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, and quoted noise is minus 140 dB on XLR and minus 134 dB on RCA. The chassis is 86 mm high and 305 mm deep, with a width that depends on the faceplate, and weighs 4 kg.
Engineering and use context
A USB drive or a NAS can be connected for playback of a local library, and the unit is controlled from any web-enabled device. Separate power supplies serve the analogue and digital circuitry. User-selectable upsampling is available on some inputs. A digital volume control lets the BDA-3.14 feed a power amplifier directly, working as a digital preamplifier. Control is also possible over IR, RS232, IP or a 12 V trigger, which suits custom installations. The chassis and metalwork are aluminum, and the dress panel is machined and anodized aluminum. Faceplates come in Silver, Black, White, Gun Metal Grey or Champagne, in two widths, and this version is not rack mountable. Bryston positions the unit as the high resolution digital hub of a system, taking in both network sources and external digital components such as disc transports or computers.
Pairing
Using its digital volume, the BDA-3.14 can drive a Bryston power amplifier through the balanced XLR outputs without a separate preamplifier. When a preamplifier or integrated amplifier is already in the system, the volume can be left at full and the RCA or XLR outputs used as a fixed line source.
Alternatives
The Bryston BDA-3 is the converter this model is based on, supplied without the built-in streamer.
Key specs that matter
The internal streamer plays files up to 192 kHz and 24 bit and supports Tidal, Qobuz, Roon and internet radio. It connects to the converter section over I2S, which Bryston calls the most accurate digital interconnection method currently available. External digital inputs are two USB ports, AES/EBU, S/PDIF on RCA, S/PDIF on BNC and Toslink. PCM is decoded up to 384 kHz and 32 bit, and DSD up to DSD-256. The fully discrete Class A balanced analogue outputs deliver 4 V on XLR, while the RCA outputs give 2 V. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.1 dB, and quoted noise is minus 140 dB on XLR and minus 134 dB on RCA. The chassis is 86 mm high and 305 mm deep, with a width that depends on the faceplate, and weighs 4 kg.
Engineering and use context
A USB drive or a NAS can be connected for playback of a local library, and the unit is controlled from any web-enabled device. Separate power supplies serve the analogue and digital circuitry. User-selectable upsampling is available on some inputs. A digital volume control lets the BDA-3.14 feed a power amplifier directly, working as a digital preamplifier. Control is also possible over IR, RS232, IP or a 12 V trigger, which suits custom installations. The chassis and metalwork are aluminum, and the dress panel is machined and anodized aluminum. Faceplates come in Silver, Black, White, Gun Metal Grey or Champagne, in two widths, and this version is not rack mountable. Bryston positions the unit as the high resolution digital hub of a system, taking in both network sources and external digital components such as disc transports or computers.
Pairing
Using its digital volume, the BDA-3.14 can drive a Bryston power amplifier through the balanced XLR outputs without a separate preamplifier. When a preamplifier or integrated amplifier is already in the system, the volume can be left at full and the RCA or XLR outputs used as a fixed line source.
Alternatives
The Bryston BDA-3 is the converter this model is based on, supplied without the built-in streamer.
Specifications
Model name
BDA-3.14
Conversion type
N/A
Engine
N/A
DSD compatability
Yes
Parameters
up to 384 kHz / 32 bit and DSD256
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
20
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
20 000
Gain (dBu)
N/A
Output Level (balanced) (V)
N/A
Output Level (single-ended) (V)
N/A
Input Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Input Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output Impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Analog outputs
N/A
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
140 (XLR), 134 (RCA)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (% at 22 kHz)
<0.002
Dimensions (mm)
190 x 34 x 120
Weight (kg)
4
Official link
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