Alpha DAC Reference Series 3

[Audire]

I've been told that the Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 is a sleeper, that's it plays well above its price point.

How does it compare to MSB - Ref and Select? I won't be able to listen to either prior to a purchase. I know people rave about MSB is general - esp Ref and Select.

Has anyone here made any comparisons?

Thanks in advance.

 

[docvale]

I cannot help with a direct comparison, but I can tell that when I attended the demo of the Wilson Chronosonic XVX speakers, the showroom, that sells both MSB and Berkeley, put the Reference Alpha upstream of the D'Agostino amplification that was used for the demo.

I can only think of the following:
- sound wise, you can expect "the best" from both brands (I quoted because the term per se is questionable, and I'm sure that nobody would be upset with their sound)
- Berkeley is less expensive and MSB offers way more configuration flexibility for the inputs

 

[Audire]

Thanks, this is very helpful. I have enough $ for the Select but don’t desire to spend it if the Berkeley will do app. the same thing for a lot less. Thanks again.

I cannot help with a direct comparison, but I can tell that when I attended the demo of the Wilson Chronosonic XVX speakers, the showroom, that sells both MSB and Berkeley, put the Reference Alpha upstream of the D'Agostino amplification that was used for the demo.

I can only think of the following:
- sound wise, you can expect "the best" from both brands (I quoted because the term per se is questionable, and I'm sure that nobody would be upset with their sound)
- Berkeley is less expensive and MSB offers way more configuration flexibility for the inputs

 

[dan31]

If you cannot listen to these products don’t buy them. Get something you can audition at a dealer or a friend. Too much money to take a flyer. MSB tends to win these comparisons.

 

[Al M.]

If you cannot listen to these products don’t buy them. Get something you can audition at a dealer or a friend. Too much money to take a flyer.

+ 1000

Often products don't sound as advertised, and it depends on both your system context and your personal taste if a component works for you.

 

[docvale]

+ 1000

Often products don't sound as advertised, and it depends on both your system context and your personal taste if a component works for you.

Completely agreed.
And, to clarify my comment, I wanted to point out that regardless of the price point, a dealer that had the chance to pick either DAC used the least expensive of the two.
Might have the MSB performed better? Maybe yes, maybe no. And I agree that testing is the king if someone puts so much money there.
The sure thing is that the Berkeley would not disappoint.
And I’m also sure that our friend would not do a blind purchase.

 

[Audire]

Thanks for all the replies. I finally was able to hear the Berkeley at a person's home. It was very, very good. It's difficult to think anything could sound better than what I just finished hearing.

 

[gds7368]

Thanks for all the replies. I finally was able to hear the Berkeley at a person's home. It was very, very good. It's difficult to think anything could sound better than what I just finished hearing.

What was the rest of the system?

 

[Audire]

The plans are to have Magico M3s, Aurender N30 and ACS10, and then a TT (possibly a Bergmann Glader) w/ VAC phono. Amps are Pass 260.8s. If I get the Berkley then I'll keep my Pass XP22 but if I get the MSB I'll use the preamp in it...

What was the rest of the system?

 

[divertiti]

Has anyone done an A/B comparison between Ref 2 and 3?

 

[Audire]

Thanks for everyone's comments. A closer examination of the Berkeley and MSB has eliminated Berkeley from any further consideration. IMO, even the MSB Discrete wins over the more expensive Berkeley ... Berkeley can't do DSD and doesn't have any Ethernet or USB inputs. Berkeley have paved their own path, that I'm sure works for some people, but it's not the path I desire to walk in ....