Bryston BDA-3

Nekoaudio and ddafoe,
You appreciate that the Oppo 105d will not through-put DSD
or SADC files...failure to do so for SACD appears so some sort of copyright issue, and DSD a technical issue.  So a  streaming device is required to input un-decoded DSD files to the DAC...in this case a Luxman DA-06.  The Luxman cover plate identifies it as a DSD-capable unit.
I therefore await the arrival of a streaming device that will allow me
to employ the Luxman for decoding of DSD....in this case an Auralic
Aries.
The result should be enlightening.

Thanks neko that was interesting.  There seems to be an issue with a loud 'pop' at the end of tracks played in DSD.

I believe the pop is addressed via a firmware update.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=138471.msg1515738#msg1515738

Gentleman, and particularly nekoaudio,

I wish first to address sonic quality obtained with different 'outboard' DAC's, and in the following context.

The context is that I acquired a Luxman DA-06 in part due to
price and local convenience.  I had previously employed a Denon
1713UD, with Burr Brown 1795 chips.  Regarding the Denon's DAC, the sound was non-fatiguing but inferior to that obtainable with
vinyl, specifically employing the AT33sa and AT ART9 cartridges.  I replaced the Denon with an Oppo 105d, which uses the Sabre 1918 DAC chip, and noted an increase in clarity but increase in 'fatigue'.  Addition of the Luxman DA-06 as an outboard DAC eliminated the 'fatigue' experienced with the Oppo 105d's 'inboard' DAC, and achieved greater clarity than that provided by the Oppo.  The sound of CD's decoded by the Luxman and vinyl played with the AT ART9 cartridge was not not far fromequivalent...highly enjoyable, with the advantage possibly going to the 'redbook' CD's.

With regard specifically to the Oppo Sabre-based DAC and the Luxman BB 1795-based DAC, and after toggling repeatedly between these two DAC's and after now prolonged listening, it appears to me that the increased clarity of the Sabre-based DAC relative to the Denon's BB 1795-based DAC was in part fallacious, reflecting deficient harmonics surrounding most notably the high frequency sounds (eg violins).

So regarding the Bryston BDA-3, I remain intrigued as to how its sound compares with other DAC's you auditioned.  As you know, the Bryston employs an AKM 4490 DAC chip, and the Auralic employs a proprietary chip, both selling for the same price.  The new (undeniably high end) Mark Levinson 526 pre-amplifier employs a Sabre 1918 chip.  The French 'Totaldac' employs an R2R DAC, and is by one account superior to all the DAC's just mentioned save possibly the Levinson. 

Lastly, regarding the Oppo 105d, I believe that it will input and natively output DSD64 only by HDMI, and that it will 'support' DSD 128 only if audio data in that format is received via a USB-connected computer or streamer, in which case the Oppo will convert DSD 128 to PCM 24/88.2 and output if exclusively via HDMI in that form. 

As aluminum disks become obsolete and high end audio gravitates to electronic digital storage, and as the relative virtues of 'universal players' pale in comparison to those of streamers/DAC's and related processors,
I ask what role 'universal' players will have in the future, and whether DVD's, blu-ray or other', including operatic and orchestral audio-visual recordings, will equally transition to entirely electronic media,

I think you will find the Bryston BDA-3 to be exceptionally clean and accurate. However it uses a specific filter choice, and you may or may not care about its impact on the sound. Many people prefer that choice of filter so it is not a bad choice. However I like being able to choose the filter on the Auralic Vega.

I believe the Auralic uses a Sabre chip. I find the Auralic kind of sits in-between the OPPO and the Bryston, in terms of sound character. They're all exceptional products, which is why I use all three myself. If you are liking the Luxman because you find the OPPO has a bit more audible distortion (e.g. fatigue in the high frequencies) then I would guess you will prefer the Bryston.

But you also mentioned you wanted a bit more body. Which I'm still not sure you will get from the Bryston. Since usually that does mean a bit of added harmonics—i.e. a less dry presentation. Are you getting that from the Luxman?

Also, the Bryston brings out everything. So you will hear clipping on hot tracks and recording errors etc. Those same sounds are present but less audible with other DACs. Which may be undesirable depending on the music you listen to.

BTW - If you are hearing some high frequency distortion and thus experiencing listening fatigue, have you also considered your amplifier? It may not be solely a question of your DAC.