Article: Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series Review

[agisthos]

I just read Robert Harleys review in TAS and its a similar rave to this one, the best DAC ever, by a long shot. What is interesting is apparently Berkeley are using a traditional DAC chip (with all functions except for sigma delta conversion turned off) and are using opamps for the analog output stage. So to extract such high level performance it must be the implementation or other factors like the digital filtering.

 

I really like how this DAC is a killer for 16/44, rather than a DAC that only sounds good for DSD files with 16/44 an afterthought.

[The Computer Audiophile]

I just read Robert Harleys review in TAS and its a similar rave to this one, the best DAC ever, by a long shot. What is interesting is apparently Berkeley are using a traditional DAC chip (with all functions except for sigma delta conversion turned off) and are using opamps for the analog output stage. So to extract such high level performance it must be the implementation or other factors like the digital filtering.

 

I really like how this DAC is a killer for 16/44, rather than a DAC that only sounds good for DSD files with 16/44 an afterthought.

I just finished reading it as well. There is an informative interview with 'Berkeley's' Michael Ritter after the review. I encourage everyone to have a look at that and the review.

[Elberoth]

Is the TAS review already available online ?

 

Did anyone compare the BADA DAC RS to the dCS Vivaldi stack ?

[MikeJazz]

Chris, great review, but also feel you spent a lot of superlatives!!!

 

I had the same feeling about great sounding redbook when listening to dCS Scarlatti and the latest one as well...

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris, great review, but also feel you spent a lot of superlatives!!!

I has a lot saved up in my superlative account :~)

[tranz]

Hi Chris,

 

How about sharing some technical details, e.g. clocks, chips, filter types, lpsu, emi shielding methods, implementation method, etc.

 

Did you still stick the Berkeley USB-SPDIF converter in between, or is that no longer the best way into the RS?

 

Thanks!

[joelha]

Chris, joelha, I was wondering if you tested out the digital volume function of the RS. The DAC is a bit pricey as an upgrade but if I were to sell my current DAC & preamp...

 

ecwl,

 

I'm overseas right now and have not had a chance to try the DAC as a preamp yet.

 

But I'm anxious to give it a shot.

 

So the report you got from me was using the Berkeley only as a DAC.

 

Joel

[sdolezalek]

One way to think about your and Rob Harley's reviews is that this is great news for the entire music industry, because it implies that there is a way to get superlative sound out of a 16/44 recording. Berkeley Audio may have been the first (I'll leave the NOS Dac comments alone for the moment) to do it and it may be expensive, but copycats and trickle-down should mean that more affordable versions of this sound are not that far away. That should be good news for all of us.

 

I'm sure it will also restart the whole PCM vs. DSD debate because that has ramifications on the A/D as well as the D/A side and your review implies that our current A/D to 16/44 process is "good enough" for the best you have ever heard.

[MikeJazz]

this is great news for the entire music industry, because it implies that there is a way to get superlative sound out of a 16/44 recording. Berkeley Audio may have been the first (I'll leave the NOS Dac comments alone for the moment) to do it and it may be expensive, but copycats and trickle-down should mean that more affordable versions of this sound are not that far away. That should be good news for all of us.

 

we should be careful about soundbites...

I heard sound from other DAC's that I would call superlative sound from redbook.

dCS is one nice example.

They also did it...imho.

Best Chord DACS are close. TAD is close in it's how.

 

Off course, having said this, I am very interested in listening to this new DAC to see if Chris conclusion would be also mine...

[rogerdn]

I just finished reading it as well. There is an informative interview with 'Berkeley's' Michael Ritter after the review. I encourage everyone to have a look at that and the review.

 

Which issue ?

[wookie]

Chris,

Thanks for this review and for your contribution to "the cause". After reading your Berkeley RS review I have two questions. First, you recently raved about the EMM Labs dac2x which is vastly different (design and sonics) than any Berkeley product. A comparison would be revealing. Second, many who decided to keep their preamp (including me) while using the Alpha dac are surely wondering whether the RS volume control improves on Berkeley's older units. Thanks.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris,

Thanks for this review and for your contribution to "the cause". After reading your Berkeley RS review I have two questions. First, you recently raved about the EMM Labs dac2x which is vastly different (design and sonics) than any Berkeley product. A comparison would be revealing. Second, many who decided to keep their preamp (including me) while using the Alpha dac are surely wondering whether the RS volume control improves on Berkeley's older units. Thanks.

I really like the EMM DAC2X (Reviewed July 2012) but it isn't in the same league as the Alpha DAC RS. Sonically the RS is better all around. The 2X has a bolder sound and a bit thicker sound to it.

 

The RS must be taken as a whole rather than picking certain parts out such as volume control. I used its volume control exclusively, and have heard it through a very good preamp in the recent past. Based on my experience the RS is better without a preamp.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Which issue ?

October 2014. The digital version is available now.

[TimU]

I'm really surprised there is no USB input on such an expensive DAC. What do they imagine people are using for a source? A CD player?

[The Computer Audiophile]

I'm really surprised there is no USB input on such an expensive DAC. What do they imagine people are using for a source? A CD player?

'Berkeley' believes adding a USB input compromises the sound quality so it was left out of the Reference Series product. These guys have been leading the way with computer based playback for years. I don't suspect many people use CD players with 'Berkeley' DACs. Servers like the Aurender offer AES and S/PDIF outputs and the Alpha USB can be used to connect any computer to the Alpha DAC RS.

[MarkS]

I suspect no one has compared directly this dac to the Vivaldi stack because most think the Berkley is better. I look forward to hearing it and also seeing what dcs does in response.

[accwai]

Chris, would appreciate your thoughts on how the Alpha DAC 2 compares to the Reference.

[usblues]

I suspect no one has compared directly this dac to the Vivaldi stack because most think the Berkley is better. I look forward to hearing it and also seeing what dcs does in response.

 

I also was going to comment on no USB but dont need to be redundant I guess.Thanks for the review,splendid as usual,cheers,Bob

[blaven]

Based upon review alone, would consider trading in my ARC Pre and Meitner MA1 and my left kidney, towards a Berkley RS purchase... But then I would also need either the Alpha USB or a dedicated server with AES or SPIDF... frustrating (can't give up both kidneys, that's pushing the hobby slightly too far....ever so slightly)

[The Computer Audiophile]

Based upon review alone, would consider trading in my ARC Pre and Meitner MA1 and my left kidney, towards a Berkley RS purchase... But then I would also need either the Alpha USB or a dedicated server with AES or SPIDF... frustrating (can't give up both kidneys, that's pushing the hobby slightly too far....ever so slightly)

Ha! I love it.

[tranz]

'Berkeley' believes adding a USB input compromises the sound quality so it was left out of the Reference Series product. These guys have been leading the way with computer based playback for years. I don't suspect many people use CD players with 'Berkeley' DACs. Servers like the Aurender offer AES and S/PDIF outputs and the Alpha USB can be used to connect any computer to the Alpha DAC RS.

 

This is something I was very happy to read, although I might be in the minority. The Berkeley USB-SPDIF converter is still an amazing way to make USB bearable.

 

Perhaps they will put their magic into a LAN input device next...

[james45974]

I won't argue with your opinion, but I would like to know what specifically in my review is BS.

 

Chris, everybody's a critic and my comment is more towards the style rather than content of the review. I have a skeptic's streak in me and when I see such an overtly effusive and fawning review for a piece of equipment I immediately have red flags go up in my head. To be in such rapture with the RS makes the skeptic in me question the objectivity of the review, almost makes me wonder if you were blinded by the light! I wanted to run to the refrigerator for a pickle to take the saccharine taste out of my mouth! And again, I believe you have painted yourself into a corner when you have to review the next "Game Changer."

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris, everybody's a critic and my comment is more towards the style rather than content of the review. I have a skeptic's streak in me and when I see such an overtly effusive and fawning review for a piece of equipment I immediately have red flags go up in my head. To be in such rapture with the RS makes the skeptic in me question the objectivity of the review, almost makes me wonder if you were blinded by the light! I wanted to run to the refrigerator for a pickle to take the saccharine taste out of my mouth! And again, I believe you have painted yourself into a corner when you have to review the next "Game Changer."

Thanks for the reply James. Fortunately I've said nothing about the future accept my comment about using this DAC for the "foreseeable future." I don't see how my statements reflecting the current situation have anything to do with painting myself into a corner with respect to a future review.

[MarkS]

What was the source? Was it computer files that were then usb converted?

 

I recall seeing somewhere on this site or on TAS about an allegedly super server that was spdif only with the digital signal coming directly off the motherboard. I can't recall the name, but it was fairly recent. I wonder how that would sound with this spdif favoring dac.

 

Just when I had myself convinced that dsd was where it's at and the future

[perolator]

I would like Chris compare the RS to the Vivaldi. It is the first time in a heck of a long time I read such an enthusiastic review here.