Berkeley vs. DCS Debussy vs. etc.
- Thread starter rblnr
- Start date
I belive the system was berkley / meridian -> pass pre and amp -> big focals. We adjusted the volume to make things even, but that dimensionality and depth were the hallmark of Meridian.
Interestingly, I compared the dCS debussy to an Ayre c5 mp (with dcs driven by the Ayre's transport), and it was similar phenomena: more depth for the dcs player.
amir,
The European "enviro-nazis" have been on the warpath against lead for years. The next element
they'd like to ban is chlorine. All you Europeans had better stock up on salt ( sodium chloride ).
They don't know that "elements" don't have toxic or chemical properties in and of themselves.
Compounds have chemical properties.
Chlorine gas is very toxic. But those same chlorine atoms when combined with sodium [ an evil actor
itself in solitary form ] gives you common table salt - a very benign and non-toxic compound. The
"enviro-nazis" need to study some high school chemistry.
Solder for electronics is an alloy of Tin and Lead in a 63% Tin / 37% Lead mixture. This is the
"eutectic" composition. Look at the phase diagram for tin / lead at ( about half way down the page ):
http://store.curiousinventor.com/guides/how_to_solder/kind_of_solder/
The upper region labeled "liquid" shows all the combinations of temperature / mixture at which the
solder is melted.
The liquid region dips to its lowest point in temperature with a 63% / 37% mixture. That is the eutectic -
the alloy of Tin and Lead with the lowest melting point.
You'd like solder with a low melting point since heat is the enemy of all those chips and circuit components
that the solder is connecting.
Greg
The European "enviro-nazis" have been on the warpath against lead for years. The next element
they'd like to ban is chlorine. All you Europeans had better stock up on salt ( sodium chloride ).
They don't know that "elements" don't have toxic or chemical properties in and of themselves.
Compounds have chemical properties.
Chlorine gas is very toxic. But those same chlorine atoms when combined with sodium [ an evil actor
itself in solitary form ] gives you common table salt - a very benign and non-toxic compound. The
"enviro-nazis" need to study some high school chemistry.
Solder for electronics is an alloy of Tin and Lead in a 63% Tin / 37% Lead mixture. This is the
"eutectic" composition. Look at the phase diagram for tin / lead at ( about half way down the page ):
http://store.curiousinventor.com/guides/how_to_solder/kind_of_solder/
The upper region labeled "liquid" shows all the combinations of temperature / mixture at which the
solder is melted.
The liquid region dips to its lowest point in temperature with a 63% / 37% mixture. That is the eutectic -
the alloy of Tin and Lead with the lowest melting point.
You'd like solder with a low melting point since heat is the enemy of all those chips and circuit components
that the solder is connecting.
Greg
Recently purchased the Berkeley Alpha DAC (from Madrona, btw) and we are simply shocked and delighted by the presentation. We're slow to make changes to our system so expected some improvement (our earlier digital product was a Levinson 39, owned since new) as digital ages quickly but this product bounces with music....dynamic, articulate and warm.
WDW
WDW
Thanks for your business WDW. So great to hear that you are happy with the unit.
Bruce, thanks for the kind words as always
.
Bruce, thanks for the kind words as always
.
I recently did a comparison of several DACs including the Berkeley here:
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue55/belcanto_dac.htm
and will be comparing the ones in the article to an EERA Tentation player that I just got in for review as well.
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue55/belcanto_dac.htm
and will be comparing the ones in the article to an EERA Tentation player that I just got in for review as well.
waiting to read/hear the Alpha USB
Two items for me...Power Cords for my new little DAC...in particular Shunyata and whether they would improve on things and, of course, the USB thingy.
Please, Dear Fellows,
Your comments.
WDW
Thanks for your business WDW. So great to hear that you are happy with the unit.
Bruce, thanks for the kind words as always
Two items for me...Power Cords for my new little DAC...in particular Shunyata and whether they would improve on things and, of course, the USB thingy.
Please, Dear Fellows,
Your comments.
WDW
"the USB thingy"... as they say in New York.. fuggedaboutit.... Can't believe they're charging that much for their "thingy". Oh.. maybe I can.
Powercords?.. you'll get more benefit from isolating what you plug it in to. Get a dedicated line or even a UPS or powerconditioner to keep it off the other noise makers.
Powercords?.. you'll get more benefit from isolating what you plug it in to. Get a dedicated line or even a UPS or powerconditioner to keep it off the other noise makers.
I am not a power cord guy
. So I will comment on the USB bridge. The one in our showroom is powered by Audiophilleo USB to S/PDIF bridge. I tested it without it and the bridge definitely makes an improvement. We have the Berkeley unit on order but unfortunately there is a delay in production so it will be a few more weeks. For now, the Audiophilleo can be had for $500. I would certainly put more money toward this part than the power cord .Oh, I do have something to add on the power front.
I have one of the older PS Audio programmable power regenerators. I was pleasantly surprised to see it make no difference with Berkeley and Audiophilleo. So power sensitivity is quite low in these products if it exists at all. BTW, on my old Mark Levinson DAC, there is was an improvement with the PS Audio.
my old DAC ?
the ole 39?
I am not a power cord guy
Oh, I do have something to add on the power front.
the ole 39?
it is quite lovely, isn't it....forget the audiophile BS...happy listening ...eom
Thanks for your comments concerning the power cord...I also use the DAC directly into my amp
Thanks for your comments concerning the power cord...I also use the DAC directly into my amp
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