Announcing the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 2

[The Computer Audiophile]

The following is a press release from Berkeley Audio Design. I'm expecting this DAC to be delivered on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

 

Berkeley Audio Design is very pleased to announce the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2.

 

The original Alpha DAC Reference Series was a breakthrough product that reduced noise, particularly in the time domain, to levels significantly lower than any audio D to A converter previously available. The result was an immediacy and presence of music reproduction that was closer to the microphone feed than ever before. Very fine spatial and timbral information heard in real life that was previously lost or hidden by noise was revealed by the Alpha DAC Reference Series.

 

At Berkeley Audio Design, the principals are perfectionist audiophile engineers, and R&D is continuous. That especially applies to the Reference Series. The unprecedented resolution of the Alpha DAC Reference Series allowed and demanded further development and perfection of digital algorithms and analog circuitry that otherwise would not have been possible. The lengthy development process that resulted in the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 was challenging and resulted in design improvements that we feel again define the edge of what is possible. The only way to appreciate the level of performance achieved by the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 is to listen to it.

 

The retail price of the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 is $19,500.00. The Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 will begin shipping late this June. The original Alpha DAC Reference Series will no longer be produced.

 

The Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 will be available to audition in Salon B at the T.H.E. Show Newport, June 3-5.

 

Because Berkeley Audio Design doesn’t believe in planned obsolescence and because the original Alpha DAC Reference Series represents a significant investment, Berkeley Audio Design will upgrade the original Alpha DAC Reference Series to the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 at a cost of $3,500.00 plus shipping, which is the difference in retail cost between the original Alpha DAC Reference Series and the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2. That means existing Alpha DAC Reference Series owners will be able to upgrade to the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 for the same total cost, plus shipping, as a new Alpha DAC Reference Series 2.

 

The Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 upgrade process is elaborate and as time consuming as manufacturing a new Alpha DAC Reference Series 2. To minimize the time Alpha DAC Reference Series owners will be without a DAC during the upgrade process a scheduled RMA system will be used.

 

Once Berkeley Audio Design receives a request for an upgrade an RMA will be issued to the Alpha DAC Reference Series owner with a specific date to ship the Alpha DAC Reference Series to be upgraded. By using this system, the turnaround time for upgrades will be held to two weeks.

 

Upgraded units will be identical in performance to a new Alpha DAC Reference Series 2.

[miguelito]

The following is a press release from Berkeley Audio Design. I'm expecting this DAC to be delivered on Wednesday.

Specs?

[bibo01]

The press release doesn't say much ...apart from the increase in price!

[The Computer Audiophile]

Good news!

 

[wdw]

Good news!

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26662[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]26663[/ATTACH]

 

Jealous...!

 

Enjoy. Look forward to your report!

[miguelito]

Jealous...!

 

Enjoy. Look forward to your report!

For all I know you could've stuck two identical units together. Or photoshoped them.

[The Computer Audiophile]

For all I know you could've stuck two identical units together. Or photoshoped them.

Ha!

[mav52]

Ha!

 

So Chris when should we expect a review of this new series 2 as it compares to your own series 1.

[esldude]

So Chris when should we expect a review of this new series 2 as it compares to your own series 1.

 

Well he may have had it about 24 hours now. I would assume the review will be out in about 15 to 30 minutes.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I do think we should give him a few days to take the measure of the unit. I know someone with the previous version so will be interested in what Chris has to say about it.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Well he may have had it about 24 hours now. I would assume the review will be out in about 15 to 30 minutes.

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I do think we should give him a few days to take the measure of the unit. I know someone with the previous version so will be interested in what Chris has to say about it.

Sorry, I missed the 15-30 minute mark :~)

 

Here is my preview - Computer Audiophile - Preview: Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series 2