We are proud to have received six product awards over the past few years from the well respected Dutch website HFA. The brain child of Christiaan Punter, HFA is an Amsterdam based website focused on publishing in-depth reviews of high end audio equipment. Special thanks to Hein van der Klaauw of Mafico Pro for bringing this to our attention. All of the following products were awarded "Highly Recommended" which according to Christiaan Punter are "the most-loved products in each price category that are recommended for short-listing."
BCD-3 CD Player
Enter the Bryston BCD-3 CD player. Bryston amplifiers are bomb-proof no-nonsense designs and fortunately, the BCD-3 is no different. This machine is as solid as a rock and it only plays CDs. Period... From the very first tones, it was clear that I was going to like this player a lot!
Tonally neutral yet dynamic, full-bodied and sonorous. Never less than fully engaging and always ready to boogie, the Bryston BCD-3 CD player is a joy to use and a pleasure to listen to. It is a sure bet and a real winner!
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
BDA-3.14 DAC / Streamer / Digital Preamplifier
Clearly, the BDA-3.14 is a great DAC with a truly excellent streamer section on board. The latter is not just slapped on but implemented so well that it improves even on the Antipodes CX+EX music server. When used as a standalone DAC using its SP/DIF input with any source, it holds up strong, even in comparison with much more expensive DACs.
The BDA-3.14 has a solid and immediately likable sound with great resolution, perfect natural timbre (no artifice) and lively dynamics and without any hardness or edge. Along with the propulsive liveliness, it also has a subtle smoothness and fluidity that makes the end result revealing yet forgiving.
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
The DAC is not simply good, it is staggeringly good. It is also great value, especially when factoring it its extensive connectivity. I mean, 4 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports in addition to the usual digital connections! The BCD-3’s superbly energetic performance strongly reminds me of the classic Wadia sound, the Wadia 27, in particular, as well as the original PS Audio PWD mkII, but with more open and more fluid treble. In my book, there is hardly a better compliment for a DAC than this.
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
BDP-3 Digital Music Player
Bryston may be known mostly for their amps, but now having heard more of their components it is starting to look like everything they issue is simply excellent value, great-sounding, and built to last. The BDP-3 is no exception. Used as a streaming endpoint, the BDP-3 is a dependable, easy to operate and really great sounding device. A big selling point is its Roon Ready-ness, combined with its front panel display and buttons that actually control Roon’s queue. When using its built-in Media Player and playing local files, the BDP-3 further steps up the game and truly shines. In this mode, it actually performs on par with some of the very best digital sources that I have heard.
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
3B³ Amplifier
Smooth and relaxed yet very refined and well-detailed, the 3B Cubed performs very well... The remarkable thing about the current Bryston sound is that it is honest and revealing yet always smooth, not a combination that you often find and certainly not at this price.
While I also appreciate the older Bryston products and their specific charms, Bryston’s latest Cubed series really has taken the sound to a whole new level. Anyone who has dismissed earlier Bryston's for sounding harsh should really reconsider. The new Bryston sound is generous, smooth, rich and relaxed, yet very powerful, driving all the speakers that I tried with ease.
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
4B³ Amplifier
The Bryston is so nicely powerful, and its timbre so rich and sonorous that it can be difficult to switch to another amp after listening to a few tracks...
Even audiophiles with a larger budget should give these amps a listen, and they might be pleasantly surprised! This is absolutely no over-controlled, over-damped and analytical sound yet there is all the power and control that any speaker needs, along with newfound levels of nuance, focus and transparency to satisfy even picky listeners. With Bryston there just are no sins of commission.
- Christiaan Punter, HFA
