Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2

[ack]

From their web site:

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• The Alpha DAC Series 2 employs new clocking and isolation technologies that provide enhanced imaging precision, timbral purity and resolution.

•Unequalled interpolation technology up-samples 44.1kHz CD’s to provide almost 176.4kHz quality and produces superb fidelity at all sampling rates from 32kHz to 192kHz

•IR remote control of all functions including volume and balance allows direct connection to power amplifiers

•Advanced input signal jitter rejection

•BADA encrypted input allows future support of HDMI and other DRM formats

[KeithR]

Interesting, thanks for posting this (i have one as well)

So an updated clocking and "isolation"? Hmm, seems more evolutionary than anything.

Any word on the price?

[ack]

Interesting, thanks for posting this (i have one as well)

So an updated clocking and "isolation"? Hmm, seems more evolutionary than anything.

Any word on the price?

I'll find out this week. I was disappointed that USB is not incorporated now...

[Bruce B]

I'll find out this week. I was disappointed that USB is not incorporated now...

No... that's an Extra $1500....

[amirm]

Interesting, thanks for posting this (i have one as well)

So an updated clocking and "isolation"? Hmm, seems more evolutionary than anything.

Any word on the price?

It is definitely in the tweak category. The MSRP remains the same even though the manufacturing cost has gone up. The dealers and Berkeley are absorbing the difference to maintain the $4,995 price.

[ack]

No... that's an Extra $1500....

Well, I can sort of see their [presumed] point - USB is for computer audio only, and how many of their customers are doing or going to do that? Otherwise, why raise the retail price for something some [most?] people won't need... I just wish it were an option, same for other similar products

[Orb]

Also a further consideration Ack.
Some may prefer to go with a high quality bridge product such as the one mentioned in the past by Amir or the Halide that connects between the PC and the DAC.

Cheers
Orb

[1rsw]

From what I gather, the exclusion of USB and subsequent design of the Alpha USB is a philosophical decision by the designers, having the belief that USB should not be inside the chassis of the DAC. Is it the only way to get it done? Doubt it but I trust these guys more than most in the industry and bought both sight unseen which I have rarely done in my 30 years messing with audio stuff. Living with the original Alpha for few years was all the info I needed. I also commend them for keeping msrp at a reasonable spot in an industry where pricing is literally out of control. They could easily sell their DAC for much more or at least have bumped for change to series 2. Similar to related Spectral, they held steady at a fair price for world class design.

[amirm]

From what I gather, the exclusion of USB and subsequent design of the Alpha USB is a philosophical decision by the designers, having the belief that USB should not be inside the chassis of the DAC.

That's almost what they say word for word when I discuss this topic with them . Ditto when I bring up network connectivity. Fundamentally they believe high-speed computer circuits should be as far away as possible.

That said, I think there is a trade off between doing that and using a S/PDIF and AES link between the two boxes which can have its own set of challenges. Clearly they consider this problem more solvable than the high-speed issue above.

The box is a nice hybrid of pro and audiophile products. For the latter, they go nuts trying to optimize things as much as any high-end company would. And for the former, they keep the price reasonable and don't use exotic cases and such.

[KeithR]

Is there an upgrade process Amir? Feel free to PM me if so.

Thanks,

KeithR