Berkeley Alpha RS DAC

[JonMarsh]

I haven't heard one of these yet, but from following Chris's reviews for a few years and one conversation at RMAF, I think I have some feel for how he listens and what he values. In that context, this review at Computer Audiophile is quite interesting- interesting enough that I think I'll have to run down to Berkeley and listen to it someday at the place I bought my Alpha USB and my BADA.

The Alpha DAC RS is without question the best DAC I've heard anywhere when it comes to 16/44.1 playback. I've never heard detail, delicacy, and transparency with my favorite music like I have when listening through this DAC. The Alpha DAC RS is so outstanding that I equate its presence in my system to that of a new pair of loudspeakers. That's correct; the Alpha DAC RS had an impact on my system equivalent to a new pair of loudspeakers. In fact, the Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series is the most remarkable sounding product I've ever reviewed.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/599-berkeley-audio-design-alpha-dac-reference-series-review/

This IS getting into a fairly ridiculous price range, BUT, if you want to know how good reproduced digital audio can be, it might be that listening to this should be on your bucket list. I figure I should check it out... then your perspective on other units or level of reproduction will be better informed, me thinks...

[jim1961]

I'd love to borrow one from somebody for a weekend, sure

[JonMarsh]

Don't you think a year would be better than a weekend, though? :W :B


:rofl:

[jim1961]

Don't you think a year would be better than a weekend, though? :W :B


:rofl:

I believe the lender would start to miss it before that time, don't you think?

hone:

[JonMarsh]

You likely have a point, there. Maybe a month is a more reasonable target...


:yesnod:

[jim1961]

In any case, it would have to be somebody who would not miss it, at least for a while. Someone who has far too much gear already at there disposal, don't you think? :lol:

[JonMarsh]

No one around here like that, though! well, not with an Alpha DAC RS already in their possession!

[jim1961]

Shame that. But you are probably right. :cry:

[JonMarsh]

No response from my "local" dealer, who actually is "local" to the Berkeley Audio guys. This is getting to be like a burr under the saddle... I don't know why... it might be this part of Chris Connaker's review, and how I associate it with weaknesses in many DACs for particular types of program material.

Now for the fun part, telling the world how the Alpha DAC RS sounds with some of my favorite music. The RS single handedly sent me into a Natalie Merchant binge that lasted a couple weeks. I couldn't stop listening to Natalie's new self-titled album and her Motherland release from 2001. Both albums are the standard issue, released at 44.1 kHz and not remastered. The detail and delicacy brought out by the Alpha DAC RS on both albums is unparalleled. For example, the track Maggie Said from the 2014 Natalie Merchant album has incredible separation and delineation between instruments. So much so that I can't get this good of sound even through my Sennheiser HD600, Audeze LCD-XC, or JH Audio JH13 in-ear monitors. The first track on the album, Lady Bird, opens with a delicate drum roll. Listening through other DACs and even through headphones, the drums tend to sound like paper, as if the drummer is striking a couple sheets of loose leaf paper from the Dollar Store. Through the Alpha DAC RS it's possible to hear the texture of the drum heads. I'm willing to bet any competent drummer could identify the exact drum kit, and even the sticks used by the drummer, after listening to this track through the Alpha DAC RS.

Also, I bought the downloadable PDF of the current Absolute Sound with the Alpha DAC RS review. The review itself is not all that special, basically being more of what Chris wrote, but I found the interview with Michael Ritter of BAD to be an interesting read; unfortunately, it peaked my curiosity even more.

My bud in Munich is now using a Cello Chorale Preamp with his TotalDAC, and recommends this because of the difference in detail for mid to lower volume listening compared with using 30 dB attenuation on the TotalDAC; overall, he says he prefers the sound this way at most volume levels. So, I have a new budget high end preamp on order (high end based on electrical performance and subjective performance of the predecessor model in the same price slot compared with my Ayre K5; but under $2K price). That's going to get setup and get more listening to. I don't think I'm willing to buy an RS just on the basis of a couple of reviews, not having heard it, but judging by some forums, some guys are doing just that and being thrilled with the results.

[benthe8track]

I guess it's still half the price of that Total DAC so a comparative bargain haha. I wonder how much of a gap there is between that alpha and the M51.

Edit: looks like the original was half the price, this new guy is big bucks wow!

[JonMarsh]

Yeah, the big guy is about the same as my TotalDAC-D1 Dual plus the Brainstorm DCD8 plus the Rubidium oscillator I bought, plus a new 3.5A audiophile grade power supply I found (but haven't bought yet) from a place in England. Sheesh!

OTOH, it would be fairly cheap for a car, and about right for a nice motorcle (MSRP) for my last two bikes, but not what I paid for them. Put in that context, it's not quite so insane. But there's too much stuff coming up, like daughters wedding and trip to Antarctica to have much in the way of loose change under the cushions. And there's this other speaker project on my mind...

[wkhanna]

I was just reading up on the Chorale Pre....


Interesting that at the end of the 'spiel' they note power supply isolation & the use of mu-metal as an integral part of their design philosophy.

Dan (PweterTA) & I just recently finished isolating the power supplies/transformers in all of our equipment (even his NAD M51) with mu-metal.

The results are one of transformation in all cases.
The value-added results of a $24 piece of mu-metal are logarithmic from my perspective.
We auditioned some of our handiwork at a get-together with our usual clan this past weekend & all attendants where in agreement.

My Schitt Gungnir DAC w/o the top mu-metal covers on.....





My Carver C-19 pre/phono pre....





My Rotel RB-1090 amp...







Dan's NAD M51....




Dan's Cambridge Audio 840 CDp...





Some of the equipment we were playing with last weekend along with a Sota vacuum TT & a Carry amp sporting more tubes than anybody should ever have...