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rookie questions about used Bryston BDPs

I'm new to digital audio (and new out here), so be gentle with my ignorance!

I'd like to take the digital dive. I'm interested in streaming (Tidal and perhaps eventually Idagio or Primephonic); maybe Roon; definitely a hard drive with a range of music files, none of them obscure, many MP3s. That's it for now. Much of what I have is in iTunes.

For a few reasons, I'd like to go with Bryston. I can't afford a new BDP3; the Pi is doable, though as an experiment it's still pushing my budget. It doesn't look hard to find a *used* BDP1, BDP2, and BDP Pi. Almost certainly the BDP1 and BDP2 would be out of warranty; the BDP Pi would still be covered. My questions: assuming the used equipment is in excellent condition, would you rather have a BDP1 (at a modest price), a BDP2 (with or without the upgrade), or a (newer, under warranty) Pi? To tweak the question, if the BDP2 (let's say without the upgrade and out of warranty) and Pi (under warranty) were close to the same price, which would you choose? Full confession: I don't really know what the upgrade does, even after reading about it.

I understand that the BDP2 will have some features that the Pi doesn't have. I'm not sure if I would need those features; my needs seem pretty basic for now. Maybe a used BDP1 would do what I need. The subtext for my questions are obviously: is the Pi more "current" than the 1 or 2? Would the 1 do everything I need for now? And how important would you say the warranty is? 

Thank you for reading!

northman
mahler123
3,362 posts
 
I have the BDP3.  Sounds great, but the Manic Moose software is really subpar.   It is excruciatingly bad for Classical Music. If you are new to streaming, I would start with the Bluesound Node2 or Node2i.  It’s cheaper, sounds very good, and the App is much better and much more intuitive. It works well with all the streaming services, unlike the more picky Bryston .  It’s customer support isn’t as good as they launched, but compared with the likes of Marantz or Sony it’s superb.  If you then decide after a period of time that you want to upgrade to a better streamer, Bryston and others will be there.
  I haven’t heard the Bryston Raspberry Pi.  My understanding is that it doesn’t compare to the BDP3, but of course it is much cheaper.
spinaker01
491 posts
 
When I was running the BDP1 a few years ago, it was as a Squeezebox endpoint which worked OK. The Bryston software is horribly outdated and not really well suited to streaming. Using it as a Roon endpoint would be my suggestion
northman OP
253 posts
 
Thank you all. I appreciate the help! I love Bryston (my amp is old enough to be out of warranty but still chugging along; my preamp is youthful enough) and live fairly close to their US offices. 

You've helped me narrow my choices to a used BDP2 or a Pi. 

And Pearlcfam: thank you, yes, I know the audiocircle forum that Tanner moderates. It's an amazing resource! I thought I'd try here first but that's a very good idea.

Thanks again!
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
I bought an upgraded BDP-2 on audiogon about two years ago to use as a Roon endpoint. The only issue I have had is that I had to replace the little button battery inside which Bryston customer service helped me with. They were very responsive via email when I had the issue (error on boot) and it was easy to replace.  

I have it connected over AES/EBU to an Yggy DAC and it sounds great. 

As previously mentioned, their software is pretty dated and not nearly as flexible as BlueOS, so if you are not planning to use Roon, I'd also recommend the BlueSound Node 2i (which I have several of for other zones in my house).
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Ask the same questions over at AudioCircle before you do anything.
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