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  3. 172637-15065

Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Series 3

Just upgraded from a BADA DAC Series 1 to 3. I haven’t seen many reviews out there so I thought I’d share my thoughts. It’s definitely better than my Version 1 (w/ MQA upgrade which was a big upgrade) that I’ve owned for nearly 10 years. Sonically, it has better detail across the spectrum according to my ears but without added harshness. At twice the price roughly, I’d estimate that it’s 15-20% better sounding. I’m used to the hi end price-value curve generally flattening so I was satisfied with the improvement. Physically, it’s a larger unit with a little better casework but nothing like the Reference. The larger dimensions were needed to incorporate some of the Reference’s innards. Also, no more transformer hum that I could hear when up close to my Version 1. It’s a great company and the owners are terrific to deal with. I had some field upgrade issues with my Version 1 that I received great support. 

lofgren
zmirlsa's avatar
zmirlsa
10 posts
 

I know I'd love to give the dcs stack a try, along with the expensive Berkeley, Mytek, EMM, and Meridian units. But I haven't listened to enough expensive DACs to choose one.

 

 

Tutuapp 9Apps ShowBox

spkrplus's avatar
spkrplus
65 posts
 

If there’s a more appropriate thread, please provide a link.

What’s the most costly known DAC AB tested vs. BADA Series 3 in which users preferred the latter?  

If known: did the AB test include BAD’s USB to SPDIF convertor?

My streamer/music player is state of the art or almost, with USB output only.  I use Audirvana Studio which I’m almost positive allows all programs to upscale to 176.4k.  (Is DSD to 176k PCM best defined as "downscaling?") 

Is it ideal to upscale/downscale all source programs to 176.4k feeding BADA Series 3?

My phone conversation today with Mike @ BAD was pleasant and inspiring. Mike states that BAD’s 176k PCM outperforms any DSD format, something my past experience contradicted: I prior owned a particular renown and technically good DAC (unnamed, between $5k and $10k) with a good PCM section but a superb proprietary DSD section (with NOS option) designed by HQ Player author Jussi Laako.  Upscaling all programs to DSD > DAC set to DSD NOS absolutely incinerates native PCM programs > DAC set to PCM; the latter sounds forgettable and irrelevant. 

BAD’s pedigree adds gravitas to Mike’s words.  Two of my lifetime music reproduction high points included the Berkeley-designed PCM-only Pacific Microsonic DAC.  One of those events was (likely) native 4.0 DSD downscaled to PCM to feed two PM DACs.  The other event was good ole-fashioned 2-ch recorded and reproduced with the same PM ADC/DAC, Boz Scaggs solo in his SF home singing and playing his grand piano, My Lovely Valentine.  The latter rivaled the Studer half-track master deck (1/2" IIRC) @ Different Fur Trading Company.  DFTC co-owner with Dr. Patrick Gleeson/Engineer John Viera upgraded that 7.5ips deck to 15ips.  

Needless to say, I must audition BAD’s Alpha Series 3.    

agisthos
518 posts
 

There is actually a new version of this dac called the 3P that has just been released.

@spkrplus DSD dac’s that have a PCM stage ( such as the recent the T&A dacs) focus on the DSD. So yes it will be better than PCM.

But the BADA stuff is all about PCM and that’s what they specialize in.
This is the dac to compare against those DSD dac's.

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