Is Berkeley DAC better than hi-end CD players?

[klipschfan]

Something is most likely wrong on your DAC settings to have unbalanced sound. Check your levels and phase.

CONTROLS & INDICATORS

•Input selects AES, SPDIF, Toslink or BADA inputs

•Lock LED indicates input signal lock

•HDCD LED indicates HDCD code detected

•Phase sets absolute phase

•Invert LED indicates absolute phase inverted

•3 digit LED display of Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type

•± controls set attenuation level and select Filter type

•Mode selects Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type display modes

•Dim selects multiple display brightness levels

Suggest that you run the Berkeley DAC direct to the amp and see if it sounds any better. Also, if possible try a coax cable instead of the optical.

[audiot servant]

Originally Posted by AndyPandy

Wow - thanks Graham: great heads up. Superb bit of kit I bet. Would love to hear one: you buying??

thanks Andy... just a bit tempted yes... tho atm probably would be happier if it came in a little green box and looked like a pre-amp from Japan with a VR on it :-)... also a bit partial to the Playback Designs MPD-3 because it does DSD me thinks.

Socrates 7 (Confessions of a part time audiophile blog) has not long had his Alpha 2 and will be reviewing the new Berkeley sometime... already says it's maybe the best digital he has heard anywhere and he had the top of the range Playback Designs MPS-5 at his place not that long ago... so I dunno... them audiophile fellas occasionally get themselves a bit excited with new stuff ... thank goodness.

Poppyhome - if you are looking for something to outclass the classe this new unit may well be the ticket by the sounds of things.

Graham

[Poppyhome]

Originally Posted by klipschfan

Something is most likely wrong on your DAC settings to have unbalanced sound. Check your levels and phase.

CONTROLS & INDICATORS

•Input selects AES, SPDIF, Toslink or BADA inputs

•Lock LED indicates input signal lock

•HDCD LED indicates HDCD code detected

•Phase sets absolute phase

•Invert LED indicates absolute phase inverted

•3 digit LED display of Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type

•± controls set attenuation level and select Filter type

•Mode selects Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type display modes

•Dim selects multiple display brightness levels

Suggest that you run the Berkeley DAC direct to the amp and see if it sounds any better. Also, if possible try a coax cable instead of the optical.

DAC settings have been checked.

L&R speaker SPL verified using Stereophile's Test Disc 3 "Stereo Channel Identification". Although center imaging is poor using the DAC (perfect with the Classe and turntable).

All sampling rates appear on the display and lock in. HDCD locks in when signal noticed. Inverting phase makes only a subtle change. Cannot try coax cable as DAC requires BNC connection. Running DAC directly to amp is not an option because this is utilized as a combo H/T and 2 channel room.

I am wondering if the weak link is the Oppo with its optical digital output signal. Some people say a digital signal of 1's and 0's is the same. If that is true then why would people buy the expensive hi-end stuff if it wasn't better.

I will be trying the optical output from the Classe to the DAC and see if that makes this DAC world class. Robert Harley only tested the Berkeley using the AES/EBU connection. Is the optical just a terrible connection or is it the Oppo or is it the DAC or is the Classe CDP-202 just world class? I just don't know.

[klipschfan]

"Some people say a digital signal of 1's and 0's is the same. If that is true then why would people buy the expensive hi-end stuff if it wasn't better".

That would be a new thread...with no conclusion...

If you can manage to move gear around, it would be worth it to try direct from the Berkeley to the amp trying both the Oppo & Classe. Should narrow down what is causing the problem.

[Poppyhome]

Originally Posted by klipschfan

"Some people say a digital signal of 1's and 0's is the same. If that is true then why would people buy the expensive hi-end stuff if it wasn't better".

That would be a new thread...with no conclusion...

If you can manage to move gear around, it would be worth it to try direct from the Berkeley to the amp trying both the Oppo & Classe. Should narrow down what is causing the problem.

After major disappointment with the Oppo BDP-95 used as a transport while connected to the Berkeley DAC via the optical connection, I proceeded to try using the Classe CDP-202 using the same connections.

Instantly the sound changed, singers were centered and well articulated, instruments separated, and a 3 dimensional aspect took over the entire room. My wife said the sound was not as smooth as the Classe, but I believe all the signs are there to elevate the Berkeley DAC above the Classe. I only listened for about 3 hours. My plans are to add a Bryston BDP-1 player and use a high quality AES/EBU connection, as this is the better connection.

So my opinion is that the Oppo BDP-95 does not make a good digital transport. It sounds great with multi-channel music and movies. Its analog 2 channel dedicated stereo output is very good, but not at the same level as the Classe CDP-202 or the Bekeley DAC.

The Berkeley Alpha DAC is world class and will best most hi-end CD players. Digital output (all those 1's and 0's) is substantially different with components and your hi-end spending can be justified because it does not sound all the same.

[joeinid]

Good news.

People say a great transport is just as important as the DAC. I believe that to be true.