Special purpose device brings high resolution playback
to computer audio enthusiasts
Peterborough, Ontario November 21st, 2013 — Bryston, LTD (www.bryston.com) has announced the introduction of the BUC-1, a special purpose digital to digital converter that enables music enthusiasts to use their computer as a high resolution music source even though their existing Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) does not feature asynchronous USB capability. The Bryston BUC-1 converter allows for native 24 bit resolution at sampling rates up to 192 kHz. MSRP for the BUC-1 is $799. Available January 1st, 2014.
The BUC-1 takes a standard USB output from the computer and delivers bit-perfect data via either an AES/EBU or S/PDIF output to any DAC. “The concept behind this product is to serve a very specific niche in the marketplace,” explained Bryston’s James Tanner. “There are digital music enthusiasts out there who would like to use their computer as a high resolution music server and yet extend their investment in a previously purchased DAC that does not feature asynchronous USB. The BUC-1 is that critical link between older hardware and the latest high resolution music software,” Tanner explained.
The BUC-1 differentiates itself from competitive USB solutions in several critical ways including a robust linear power supply design. This is not a device that is buss-powered via the USB cable. In order to supply clean power to the on-board circuitry, the BUC-1 uses a combination of power supply filtering and a newly engineered power down-regulator. Like other Bryston electronics, the power supply features ultra stable voltage regulation, extremely low noise/low distortion circuitry throughout and a steel chassis to reject any radiated noise from a computer or other device in close proximity. The goal of any quality USB converter is to convey the exact bits in the audio signal with the least amount of jitter possible. While most USB converters are capable of delivering correct bits, accurate timing is another matter. Timing errors in the signal can come from a number of different sources, such as noisy power supplies or clocks, timing errors already present on the audio signal being encoded, and noise in the transmission line, just to name a few. Most crucially, the Bryston BUC-1 takes control of the master timing of the audio system—so rather than the computer running the master clock with questionable results, the BUC-1 becomes the main system clock delivering ultra low jitter, sparkling high resolution audio to any outboard DAC. “The BUC-1 is ideal for anyone who wants the benefits of computer-based high resolution audio playback using an existing DAC,” Tanner concluded.
Features:
• USB input (resolution capable of 192/24 bit)
• Outputs: AES EBU Balanced 110 Ohm/ COAX S/PDIF/ BNC 75 Ohm S/PDIF
• All outputs transformer coupled
• Input sample rate indicators
• Power on/off switch
• Trigger input (low voltage)
• Industrial design to match Bryston lineup
• Dimensions: (L.W.H.) 8 inches x 5.5/8 inches x 2.25 inches
