Any updates to the Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2 coming ? ...

joeinid · Jan 1, 2013

A friend is thinking of buying one. Is it ok to buy now, or should he wait until after CES? Thanks.

amirm · Jan 1, 2013

I have not heard anything about a new version.

opus111 · Jan 1, 2013

Seems to me very unlikely indeed as the v1 lasted a good long while without updates and the v2 is relatively recent.

joeinid · Jan 1, 2013

Thanks Amir. Thanks Opus.

It's up to my friend now. Thank you for all the help.

NorthStar · Jan 1, 2013

--Joe, Happy New Year! :b

joeinid · Jan 1, 2013

NorthStar said:
--Joe, Happy New Year! :b

Happy New Year Bob.

I'd like to wish everyone a very happy, healthy new year as well.

Elberoth · Jan 2, 2013

I think I will be ordering one today as well. Can't beat it for the price (even if it was tripple) and the matching Alpha USB SPDIF converter takes it to an entirely different league.

joeinid · Jan 2, 2013

Elberoth said:
I think I will be ordering one today as well. Can't beat it for the price (even if it was tripple) and the matching Alpha USB SPDIF converter takes it to an entirely different league.

Awesome! All the reviews have been stellar.

microstrip · Jan 2, 2013

Elberoth said:
I think I will be ordering one today as well. Can't beat it for the price (even if it was tripple) and the matching Alpha USB SPDIF converter takes it to an entirely different league.

Last time I asked it did not have CE certification and could not be exported to Europe. Did they already get it?

Elberoth · Jan 2, 2013

microstrip said:
Last time I asked it did not have CE certification and could not be exported to Europe. Did they already get it?

The only way is to get one via Switzerland or Croatia (or directly from the US).

microstrip · Jan 2, 2013

Elberoth said:
The only way is to get one via Switzerland or Croatia (or directly from the US).

This can be very risky. If you ever need service you can not send it back to be repaired, as customs will probably seize it when being returned. They are very strict on the CE certification.

Odyno · Jan 2, 2013

I had material going back to USA, UK and even France for repair without having any problem with custom what so ever!
The only thing is you need to make the proper paper going out of your country with serial number and statement going back to manufacturer for repair!
I done that with cartridge going to the Netherlands without problem the cartridge being made in Japan

ack · Jan 2, 2013

Micro's comment relates to the presumed lack of EC certification of the Alpha; I though they had gotten it, but apparently not; there were RoHS issues with the solder they use in the Alpha years ago, and it sounds like they stuck with what they use in the US because of how the solder sounds (yes, the Berkeley folks pay attention to that kind of detail).

Elberoth · Jan 2, 2013

microstrip said:
This can be very risky. If you ever need service you can not send it back to be repaired, as customs will probably seize it when being returned. They are very strict on the CE certification.

Get yourself a CE sticker (they come in various sizes, on transparent foil, aluminium foil etc) and put one on the back panel, another one on the carton, and you are done

puroagave · Jan 2, 2013

i shipped a used BADA ser I to Russia last month, no problems on either side of the transaction. the Ser II has been out for a few years, is the OP suggesting a ser III or all-new DAC from Berkeley?

Elberoth · Jan 2, 2013

puroagave said:
i shipped a used BADA ser I to Russia last month

Russia is not a part of the EU, so no CE mark necessary.

joeinid · Jan 2, 2013

puroagave said:
i shipped a used BADA ser I to Russia last month, no problems on either side of the transaction. the Ser II has been out for a few years, is the OP suggesting a ser III or all-new DAC from Berkeley?

I have no knowledge of any updates coming. I was just asking precisely because it has been out for a while. My friend would not like it if he bought one and the next week or two another version pops up.

Bruce B · Jan 2, 2013

joeinid said:
I have no knowledge of any updates coming. I was just asking precisely because it has been out for a while. My friend would not like it if he bought one and the next week or two another version pops up.

Tell your friend to buy a Playback Designs then.
They are upgradable via USB
They do DSD
You don't need to buy a separate interface for USB
I compared both side by side and feel the Playback Designs sounds closer to the source.
It also does every available PCM rate.

joeinid · Jan 2, 2013

Bruce B said:
Tell your friend to buy a Playback Designs then.
They are upgradable via USB
They do DSD
You don't need to buy a separate interface for USB
I compared both side by side and feel the Playback Designs sounds closer to the source.
It also does every available PCM rate.

Hi Bruce,

I appreciate the advice. My friend in not computer savvy to do audio from his computer at this point. Maybe in the future. He is looking for a DAC that has a great volume control to save him from buying/using a preamp. He is using a Bel Canto (two versions back) now, but wants to move up the ladder dac-wise.

MadFloyd · Jan 2, 2013

Bruce B said:
Tell your friend to buy a Playback Designs then.
They are upgradable via USB
They do DSD
You don't need to buy a separate interface for USB
I compared both side by side and feel the Playback Designs sounds closer to the source.
It also does every available PCM rate.

I assume the Playback Designs is much more expensive than the Berkeley Alpha?

Any updates to the Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2 coming ? ...

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