BRYSTON BP-173 PREAMPLIFIER: PHONO & DAC MODULES
After reviewing Bryston’s BP-173 line preamplifier ($3995) in June 2018,1 I returned the review sample to Bryston to have its optional DAC and moving-magnet phono modules installed ($750 each).2 I was curious to hear if these options would maintain the high standard set by this component, which is included in Stereophile’s “Recommended Components.”
When the BP-17 returned, it looked unchanged. But when I removed its top plate, I saw that two new daughter-boards had been installed above the motherboard: the DAC module on the right, the phono module on the left.—this new card doesn’t decode DSD data.
