Berkeley Audio DAC
default -- Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:00
I have now had my Berkeley DAC for 4 weeks and finally feel comfortable in stating that it is, without reservation, the finest digital playback I've ever heard. And this is coming from a confirmed vinyl guy.
RH is quite correct in his assessment. I would disagree with one detail, though. While it's true that direct connection of the DAC to amp is necessary for highest possible resolution, I find that it flattens the soundfield a bit. Personally, I find the expanded soundfield to be a good tradeoff for ever-so-slightly reduced resolution. This is, obviously, a matter of personal taste. In any event, it's a moot point for me. LPs still provide 50-60% of my source material, but the fact that it's down from 90% or more is testament to the Berkeley's formidable capabilities.
Rest of system:
Accustic Arts Drive (what a beautifully engineered piece of gear!)
SOTA Cosmos IV
Triplanar Mk VII
ZYX Universe
The Messenger (preamp, in case you've never heard of it)
Atma-Sphere S-30 Mk III
Audiokinesis Planetarium Beta
Various Kubala-Sosna, JPS, and Stereovox cables - the AES/EBU between transport and DAC is the K-S Emotion
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Not sure why the first message dropped my username, but it's mine.
Are you saying that running the Alpha DAC's outputs through your preamp results in greater soundstage dimensionality? I didn't find that to be the case when I've tried it (with the Spectral DMC-30SS and the Pass Labs XP20). I have not heard the Messenger, although I understand that it is exceptional.
I'm glad that you like the Alpha DAC. It is the best sounding outboard DAC I've heard, but is far from the most expensive. It also has the advantage of decoding any resolution datastreams.
> Are you saying that running the Alpha DAC's outputs through your preamp results in greater soundstage dimensionality?
It is true that the Messenger is outstanding in reproduction of soundstage, amongst other strengths. It is my favorite preamp of any that I've heard, with a quite amazing built in phono stage. The effects of using the preamp - or not - are subtle in my system. Since I must use it for the vinyl, that's a good thing!
The Alpha DAC is truly a special product. I anticipate using it for many years to come, either with a dedicated transport or with a computer-based system. Someone's going to have to twist my arm to convince me to put one of these RF generators anywhere near my system, though.
Geo, what other high end digital components have u tried in ur system? I'm curious to know how u came to the conclusion on Berkeley
Hi Sam,
I've owned an Ayre C-5xe for just over 2 years. In addition, I've auditioned at length a couple of the Esoterics, a Cary 306, and a heavily modified Denon 3910. This is the first separate DAC with which I've spent any great deal of time.
Geo,
Were you using the Balanced XLR outputs or unbalanced RCA on the Berkeley? if you compared both, what were your thoughts and preference?
Mr. Harley -
(Or anyone who owns an alpha dac for that matter)
When you run this dac w/o a preamp, what range of volume settings do you generally run it at? I ask because I was able to spend the weekend with one and thought that I preferred it running at close to full volume with a preamp in the signal chain to regulate final volume. But a weekend is not really long enough to form an educated opinion.
Without a pre, I did most of my listening between 20 and 30 on the berkeley's volume scale. Where do you run it at and do you feel like you were giving anything up at lower levels?
According to the small printed instruction papers that came with Berkeley if u use an external volume control like a preamp or integrated amps volume, the Berkeley should be set at 54. Max is 60 on it so it's towards the high end. I haven't tried the direct to amp connections. Robert and other owners, at what volume range do u listen at when berkely is connected directly to power amp? I Know you get a little extra using balanced cables, but a range used by others would be good to know
Robert,
Do you think the Alpha is worth looking into? Currently using a Boulder 1012 both as a dac and pre ( source is an Ayre D1x both digital and analog out depending on source material). Will the difference be material? Also considering emm labs DAC2.
I've used both the balanced (into an Aesthetix Calypso Signature and straight in to the Atma-Sphere amp) and RCA outputs (Messenger preamp and straight in to the Atma-Sphere), with few noticeable differences apart from those that I ascribe to the differences in the gear itself.
Thanks for the info Geo. I didn't know that you also tested the Aesthetix Calypso Signature. I am considering the regular Calypso for the system and wanted to know about your experience with the Calypso Signature/Berkeley connection/combination as compared to Messenger/Berkeley and other combos. I know Messenger is in an other class. Your observations/comparisons in regards to Calypso/Berkeley would be helpful. was there tube noise with the Calypso? For the Berkeley Does it sound similar, better or significantly better when you did dicrect connection to the amp. Vs. into the Calypso?
Oh boy, where to start? I have had no chance to compare the Calypso Signature with the regular Calypso, so keep that in mind.
The Signature is excellent, in common with all of Aesthetix's gear. I've owned a Janus, the Calypso Sig, and a Rhea. All of them have been a little noisy with the stock tubes, but for not too much money I would strongly recommend the Tung-Sol reissues that Upscale Audio sells. They're fine tubes to begin with, and Kevin does a great job of picking out the best of the best. 'Platinum grade' is well worth it.
The story behind this is that I am getting old and lazy, and in addition had a few financial problems earlier in the year. I thought that I would have to sell the Messenger. The old and lazy part enters here. I always loved the flexibility and convenience of my Janus, so I thought that if worst came to worst and I had to sell the Messenger, Aesthetix gear would be a logical replacement. Ended up with great deals on the Rhea and the Calypso (both used very lightly), and bought them. A couple of weeks later, they were in house, but the financial problems came to an abrupt halt. I decided to go ahead and do an extended Aesthetix/Messenger comparison. The upshot is that I really liked both the Calypso and the Rhea, but the Messenger simply produced the better sound. So, until I can't be bothered to drag my lazy butt out of the chair to change volume or source, the Messenger stays. The volume control on the Alpha DAC has been put to some use!
To answer your specific question, I'm afraid I never did the comparison of the Berkeley 'straight in' vs. the Calypso in the middle. By the time I got to that test, I had already decided to keep the Messenger and had put the Calypso and Rhea on the market. Sorry about that.
Hard drive through the Wavelength's Crimson was better than any cd through the Berkeley. Definitely no "one truth".