Bryston BDA-3 Digital to Analog Converter

Every digital source, one converter

The Bryston BDA-3 Digital to Analog Converter takes almost anything you can feed it, from a laptop over asynchronous USB to a disc transport over AES/EBU, and converts it with dual 32-bit AKM converters running in balanced configuration. PCM runs to 384kHz and 32-bit, and DSD to DSD256. An optional HDMI module adds four HDMI inputs with 4K video passthrough for owners who want SACD and disc player audio handled here rather than by a receiver.

Why You'll Love It

• Room for the whole rack. Two USB inputs, AES/EBU, S/PDIF on both RCA and BNC, and Toslink means your streamer, computer, CD transport and television can all live on one converter.
• Resolution to spare. PCM to 384kHz and 32-bit and DSD to DSD256 covers every download and streaming format you are likely to own, without conversion tricks in between.
• An analogue stage worth the name. Fully discrete Class A output circuitry with separate power supplies for the analogue and digital sections, which is where a lot of DACs at this price cut corners.

Under the Hood

• Dual 32-bit AKM converter chips, one per channel, running balanced through a fully discrete Class A analogue output stage.
• Asynchronous USB Class 2.0 Audio inputs, plus AES/EBU, S/PDIF RCA, S/PDIF BNC and Toslink, with the optional module adding four HDMI inputs and 4K video passthrough.
• THD plus noise at or below 0.002% from 20Hz to 20kHz, noise at -140dB balanced and -134dB unbalanced, frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz ±0.1dB.

CHT Insider Verdict

The BDA-3 has aged well because Bryston built it around connectivity and a serious analogue stage rather than chasing a specification. If you have several digital sources it can genuinely replace a preamplifier's input switching, and the balanced outputs will drive a power amplifier directly through a passive control. Decide on the HDMI module up front, because it is fitted at build rather than added later.

Pro Tip: If you are connecting a computer, use the asynchronous USB input rather than optical. The BDA-3 controls the clock on USB, which is the arrangement that keeps jitter out of the conversion, and Toslink is the one input that limits what the converter can do.