Bryston sort your act out!

[Thunktank]

I am in the market for a new DAC for my main listening room, having done some research the Bryston BDA-1 was high up on my short-list.

 

Gripe Number One

UK retail price for the Bryston BDA-1 is around £2150 ($3540), while the US retail price is $1995 (£1211). How can you in any way justify this enormous price hike for the UK market?

 

Gripe Number Two

I contacted my local official Bryston dealer on two separate occasions asking them to get hold of a demo model so I could call in for an audition. The first time I got sick of waiting to hear from them so I phoned, "sorry we are having problems getting hold of a demo model", they have never called back. I have contacted them by email, again no response. I therefore contacted a US on-line retailer, they will not ship to UK and suggest I use my local UK retailer.

 

To sum up if I want a Bryston BDA-1 in the UK I have to buy it not having heard or seen it, and pay twice the price for the privilege. Given the generous nature of Brystons UK pricing policy and the superb quality of their dealer customer service I suspect I will be one of Brystons most loyal and vocal customers.

 

[Purite Audio]

This isn't really the manufacturers fault, the importer/distributor will set the margins, and there should be demo units made available, you really must hear equipment in your own system, I would try and listen to as many dacs as possible before reaching a decision. Keith.

 

[Thunktank]

If my local dealer is listed as an "official dealer" on the Bryston website then they should be supporting them with demo models. If the dealer is not performing then they should be dropped as an "official dealer". Surely Bryston are in a position to allow US retailers to Ship worldwide and stop the "importer/distributor" from ruining the Bryston reputation.

It is in my humble opinion very much the "manufacturers fault".

 

[Purite Audio]

Thunk I can't speak for Bryston, but usually distributors /importers have to buy all of their stock, you could argue that if the distributors aren't doing their job properly, ie buying stock, then they should be 'kicked off'!Keith.

 

[Thunktank]

I agree with your earlier statement regarding always auditioning new equipment. I see you are a distributor for the Weiss Minerva, I would arrange an audition with you but I know I would be delighted and probably then go way over budget. On the subject of international pricing the Weiss is a good example, the UK and US price only differ by around £500, considering shipping and currency fluctuations this is not unreasonable.

 

[firefly0071]

And taxes...

 

[Purite Audio]

Thunk, the Weiss is cheaper than the Bryston , in the UK anyway! Keith.

 

[Thunktank]

Sorry Keith, I thought the Weiss was around £3500 in the UK, The Bryston is £2150 UK. If the Weiss is cheaper I will certainly consider it. It is just a pity that they spent hundreds of hours designing the Weiss electronics and only a tea break designing the box, "dam that things ugly".

 

[Purite Audio]

Daniel ( Weiss ) is an engineer! It isn't fair to use 'CA' for promotion but if i can help in any way or if you fancy a chat contact me through the Weiss website, regards Keith.

 

[zerung]

Thunktank, I think Keith is talking about DAC2, Which is as good as the Minerva. As far as look goes, I thought that the DAC2 looked like dog's ...., that was before I bought one, when I got mine the DAC was as cute as a button.

Some have huge respect for BDA-1, Chris himself glows with tribute for this one, but I was unable to infer if this is as good as the DAC2. Hence the audition is the way to go. I can highly recommend DAC2, using it now in lieu of Benchmark DAC1 and MHDT's Havana - Which are now collecting dust.

 

[Thunktank]

"Daniel ( Weiss ) is an engineer!" I take your point, believe me I would not rule out a component just because of it's looks. Perhaps I should have been a little more gracious, and said it is as attractive as many other DAC's, which happens to be not very.

 

[Thunktank]

Thanks Zerung, I was unaware of the existence of the Dac 2, I have very quickly done a bit of surfing and it certainly looks like one to add to the short-list. I was very interested to hear that you had mothballed a Benchmark, as this was on my short-list (at the bottom). Here in the UK I have encountered lots of problems trying to get to audition new equipment in particular DAC's, and have had to resort to buying without audition, usually second user, as I know I can sell the item on at no loss should it not live up to expectations.

 

MacBook (AIFF)> van Den Hul Toslink > Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 Tube DAC > Musical Fidelity TriVista Amp > Vandamme blue series > Anthony Gallo Reference II.

 

I think replacing the MF DAC will give me the improvements I am looking for.

 

[icebreaker]

I noticed the pricing of many audio products including Bryston to be more expensive in UK. The recent drop in the value of the pound vis the CAD & US$ has made the situation worse.

Bryston amps are often sold as a good combo with the UK brand PMC speakers(quite overpriced IMO) in the UK. Talk to James Tanner@ Bryston... (best customer service in the business) about you're probs with UK dealers.

 

Good Luck

 

[Thunktank]

Thanks for the contact details, I will give Bryston a chance to explain, the price difference and the poor dealer response. In the interest of fairness I will post my email to them and the response on this thread.

 

[wots]

Naim equipment is much better than the shoddy Bryston units. Naim is also made in England so it will be easy for you to demo. If you buy Bryston and regret your purchase, you will have only yourself to blame...the audio gods are trying to tell you something with your current problem...listen.

 

[Thunktank]

Good Day

 

 

 

As a keen audiophile and recent convert to computer based audio I have been looking to replace my ageing Musical Fidelity DAC. While using the WWW to research possible contenders I found a number of articles that praised your product the BDA-1. It certainly appeared to be a strong contender for my shortlist and would certainly make it to the audition stage. Using the links on your web site I was directed to PMC Ltd, the UK distributor, from there I found my local dealer (www.audio-republic.co.uk). I initially contacted the dealer via email, after three weeks of waiting for a response I phoned them only to be told they where having problems obtaining an audition model and would phone or email when one became available. I waited 5 weeks and still no response, I therefore started to look for an alternative retailer, it was then that I noticed the disparity between the UK and US retail prices. The current UK price is approximately £2150 or $3540, while the US price is £1211 or $1995, I appreciate that the UK currency is not at its strongest right now, but this alone can not account for the huge price difference. I have approached US retailers with a view to shipping to the UK but they insist that I use a UK supplier, not really an option, I am willing to buy The DAC unheard at the US price, as I stand a chance of getting most of my money back should it not live up to expectations, but to purchase without an audition at the UK price would be foolhardy indeed.

 

It is only fair that I inform you that I am a member of the computer audiophile forum (http://www.computeraudiophile.com) and as such opened a thread regarding the problems obtaining an audition and the disparity in pricing. With this in mind I will be posting a copy of this email to the thread, and with permission, your response.

 

 

 

Kindest Regards

 

 

 

Paul Nolan

 

 

[Thunktank]

If it was "shoddy" I do not think they would offer a 5 year warranty as standard. This is what is so annoying Bryston is a good company making excellent products, but on this occasion they appear to be being let down by the UK distributer.

I have owned Naim in the past but have fallen out of love with the Naim sound (same applies to Linn).

 

[alcina]

Lorks a lummie! They're charging MORE than pounds for dollars! I've seen plenty of stuff in the past that's pounds for dollars (which was particularly galling when the pound was virtually 2 dollars), but since the advent of the internet this nasty practice of just changing the dollar to a pound had, I thought, all but ceased. By all accounts from American chums the mighty US dollar is not in its finest state of health at the moment either, and the current exchange rate is 1.64 dollars to the pound. Not the other way round! I appreciate that they have to set the price well in advance of exchange rates, but at no point was the pound worth less than the dollar, neither, even at the height of the bank collapses and floating duck house fiascos, was it ever going to be!

 

I appreciate that this doesn't help your auditioning, but have you looked at ordering from the Euro zone? I recall when I was pricing these things up a few months ago the Euro price was considerably more in line with the actual exchange rate. Germany particularly seemed to be well stocked and reasonably priced. The EU also has the advantage of the same mains voltage, which importing from America doesn't.

 

Just my 0.024 Euros

 

 

 

[Thunktank]

Hi Paul,

 

Thank you for your interest in the Bryston DAC - much appreciated. As you know we rely on the distributor in specific countries to set prices and arrange demo gear for the dealers. I know if you contact PMC our distributor they would certainly help in arranging a demo.

 

Not that this is an excuse but the BDA-1 (and the BCD-1) have been in a constant backorder situation since we introduced it so demo units are certainly few and far between.

 

james

 

Well A+ for the prompt response, but as for "As you know we rely on the distributor in specific countries to set prices", I can't get my head round this, suffice it to say Bryston is pretty much off of the list. I want to support my local audio dealer, I need to be able to listen to gear, I appreciate that this facility comes at a cost am therefore willing to pay above on-line prices. At this level of mark-up I would expect an all day audition with breakfast, dinner and a few beers in the evening all thrown in. I doubt in this case the dealer is taking the lions share, it looks like I should contact PMC.

 

 

[Purite Audio]

Well top marks for the manufacturer!

 

[Thunktank]

"Just my 0.024 Euros" Only just noticed this :-) LOL

 

[wots]

If I lived in England, I would buy a Naim.

_________________

Sorry, I didn't catch your naim.

 

[bite-the-byte]

Hi Thunktank, I have a BDA-1 for sale if you're interested just contact me: [email protected]

 

Paolo

 

[Thunktank]

Hello Paul,

 

I understand that one of our dealers (Audio Republic) has been less than helpful regarding a dem of a Bryston BDA1.

I have not received a request for a loan unit to be sent to them for you to audition so I was completely unaware of the problem.I’ll speak to them tomorrow. I’ll be more than happy to help. Just call me on 07887 ****** to make arrangements.

 

As regards the thorny issue regarding US Vs UK prices, we have experienced a 25% increase in exchange rate between the C$ and the Pound over the last year and this together with increases in freight charges, duty and our general increase in product support mean that prices reflect the genuine costs of importing and supporting a premium brand such as Bryston. Retailers have similar issues to be addressed in running and maintaining stores for consumers to audition good quality equipment. The fact remains that all specialist imported goods will be more expensive in overseas markets than in their home market simply by virtue of the additional costs involved in supplying, maintaining and distributing in a foreign land. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further help.

 

Kindest regards

 

Tom Barron

 

PMC UK Consumer Sales Manager

 

 

Very prompt and helpful response, from my perspective I still think the price difference between US and UK is excessive.

 

 

[usernaim250]

First of all, 15% of the price difference is VAT. Or to put it another way, if I buy a BDA-1 in New York (my home), I pay $1995 plus 9% sales tax, so actually $2175. Or, figured without VAT (which is obviously up to your polity and not a foreign company) you pay 1823 pounds. On top of that, customs charges are not insubstantial, probably another 150 pounds. And shipping is probably 30 pounds per. So now you are at 1650 pounds. Now add the capital costs, advertising, storage, repairs, office space and staff, risk (you might not get paid, there is a theft and damage risk, etc.), and a profit for the distributor and you have the other 400 pounds.

 

High end companies have two choices. Linn and B&W, for instance, aim for uniform prices everywhere (though exchange rates sometimes muck that up), in essence overcharging in the home market. Others charge the true costs in a given country.

 

Companies that manufacture in Asia tend to charge the same in Europe and the USA because their costs are the same.