[SOLD] Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC

[MadFloyd]

DAC is in very good condition with 2 very hard to see scratches on the rear of the right side.

Asking $12,000 o.b.o.

Will be going to Audiogon soon.


S O L D !

 

[scouter]

I've seen a few of these popping up lately. Surprising, considering the rave reviews. May I ask why the sell? Just not your cup of tea? BTW, soooo envious of the Magicos

 

[MadFloyd]

I've seen a few of these popping up lately. Surprising, considering the rave reviews. May I ask why the sell? Just not your cup of tea? BTW, soooo envious of the Magicos

It's the best DAC I've heard. Beautifully detailed without any digital artifacts. I'm only selling it because I'm in a financial predicament. I've listed a bunch of things on Audiogon and if enough items sell I might be able to keep this but I'm not overly optimistic.

 

[scouter]

Know the feeling with the extended tax deadline coming up. If it came down to selling digital or analog, I'd sell digital too. BTW, Magico owner here too (S5). Good luck- can't imagine not selling at that price. Have you ever heard the Ms on any Spectral gear?

 

[rockitman]

It's the best DAC I've heard. Beautifully detailed without any digital artifacts. I'm only selling it because I'm in a financial predicament. I've listed a bunch of things on Audiogon and if enough items sell I might be able to keep this but I'm not overly optimistic.

Did you buy those XS 150's I saw for $27k ? If so I'm jealous....Smokin' deal

 

[MadFloyd]

Know the feeling with the extended tax deadline coming up. If it came down to selling digital or analog, I'd sell digital too. BTW, Magico owner here too (S5). Good luck- can't imagine not selling at that price. Have you ever heard the Ms on any Spectral gear?

I am so hooked on analog that I hardly listen to digital, although the new Roon software is awesome.

No, never heard the M's with Spectral (although I did try to convince another forum member to bring his over in vain). I did hear the S5s with Spectral and loved it.

 

[MadFloyd]

Did you buy those XS 150's I saw for $27k ? If so I'm jealous....Smokin' deal

I did! I'm going to finally find out if they are better than my XA160.8s...

 

[Alpinist]

Congrats Ian!! I figured it was you. I hope the XS-150's exceed your expectations.

Best of luck,
Ken

 

[scouter]

Well look at it this way- you're definitely going to save on heating up the house this winter. A true audiophile way of looking at it

 

[MadFloyd]

Congrats Ian!! I figured it was you. I hope the XS-150's exceed your expectations.

Best of luck,
Ken

Thanks, Ken. You played a role in convincing me to try them.

 

[Alpinist]

Thanks, Ken. You played a role in convincing me to try them.

Hi Ian,

I really hope they work out for you. I'm thinking the synergy should be off the charts with the XS Pre and the treble and midrange should be much more refined. But if not, I'm pretty sure you could sell them to Mark at Reno for little to no loss.

Best,
Ken

 

[rockitman]

I did! I'm going to finally find out if they are better than my XA160.8s...

I had a gut feeling. Congrats ! I'm sure the XA 160.5's will sell quick. You got a great deal.

 

[Alpinist]

I had a gut feeling. Congrats ! I'm sure the XA 160.5's will sell quick. You got a great deal.

Hi Christian,

I think Ian has the XA-160.8's now and I'm pretty sure he'll hold onto to them until he's 100% sure that the XS-150's offer a noticeable improvement.

Best,
Ken

 

[KeithR]

Hi Christian,

I think Ian has the XA-160.8's now and I'm pretty sure he'll hold onto to them until he's 100% sure that the XS-150's offer a noticeable improvement.

Best,
Ken

I would expect a Class A/B amp to honestly work better than the XA series as Magicos arent really designed for Class A amplification. Is the XS Class A/B?

 

[BlueFox]

I would expect a Class A/B amp to honestly work better than the XA series as Magicos arent really designed for Class A amplification. Is the XS Class A/B?

XS.8 is class A, X.8 is A/B. He really needs the X600.8 with 1200 watts @ 4 ohm. They play in class A for the first 100 watts or so.

 

[MadFloyd]

I would expect a Class A/B amp to honestly work better than the XA series as Magicos arent really designed for Class A amplification. Is the XS Class A/B?

'splain yerself, please?

 

[FrantzM]

I would expect a Class A/B amp to honestly work better than the XA series as Magicos arent really designed for Class A amplification. Is the XS Class A/B?

Very starnge statement care to explain? Allow me to be extremely skeptical...

 

[bonzo75]

I don't know about Magicos but what Keith says is true about panels. So if Magicos are similar to drive...

 

[KeithR]

'splain yerself, please?

Class A amps really aren't optimal driving difficult impedance swings and by all accounts, the Magico Q series (and presumably M Pro) have them. in several ways they are similar to tube amps. I'm not saying it can't work, I just believe A/B would be more optimal. i don't know much about the XS line to be honest- I have owned the X250.5 which was excellent on my lower efficiency Dynaudios.

But I'm in Bud's camp- and would use 600.8s in the Pass line or look to other Class A/B amps that double down into 2 ohms- as I believe those speakers spend quite a bit of time down there. You might reach out to Magico for an impedance curve.

 

[bonzo75]

DIfficult impedance swings is precisely why Logan and such people prefer AB instead of Class A, with Passlabs, or with Lamm M2.2 as opposed to M1.2