2. digital
  3. 1318898594

SACD playback thru Bryston BDA-1

Now that I have invested in a Bryston BDA-1, I was looking for a player that will output digital to the BDA-1 during playback of SACD discs.

Before everyone jumps in and mentions all the SACD players that have digital outputs, please note that SACD playback has copyright protection, and I have heard that this prevents digital output of SACD, only analog is allowed. Since I want to input digital to the BDA-1, analog outputs have no use.

I know the Sony players prevent didital outputs of SACD, but I am wondering if Denon or NAD players are also restricted in this way.
dhl93449
rgd
656 posts
 
I think if you can alter the output from DSD to PCM on your dvd player it will send the PCM data via coax to the coax input on the Bryston? I don't dabble with these things so I am probably wrong.

Also if your dvd player will output the dsd stream via HDMI (like the Sony 5400ES does and probably others do as well) you can get one of these:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557&seq=1&format=2#description

and I believe this unit takes the dsd stream and converts it to PCM for transfer out via coax to any DAC - again I have no prior experience with these units so I cannot say for sure.

There was a similar thread @ AVS Forums and possible over at Audiocircle where this type of product was discussed and if you can't find out more info here try there...

Good luck!
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ncarv
983 posts
 
My Sony Blu-Ray player outputs SACD through coax as PCM.
dhl93449 OP
455 posts
 
For those whose players convert to PCM, what format? 16bit/44.1KHz? In that case there is hardly any advantage to purchsing SACD discs if you are getting only CD resolution on the digital outputs.

Also, I think the SACD players are only allowed to output compressed audio via DSD, which is not an exact digital copy of the SCAD bit steam from the disc. Kind of like getting an MP3, only "higher" resolution. This is of course done to prevent folks from getting an exact digital copy of the SACD.

I spoke with someone at Audio Advisor re the NAD M5, and he confirmed that DSD will not be output due to copyright issues.

All in all, probably not worth the hassel for a few SACD titles out there. I am not into 5.1 surround sound, only stereo, so investing in all this conversion hardware to get something in the end which may or may not sound better than good quality CDs is likely not going to float the boat.
More to discover