Berkeley vs. Simaudio


Anyone ever compare a Berkeley DAC to a Simaudio DAC? If so, how did they comare sonically? Do they have each have a different sound?

I guess the Simaudio 380, 650D or 750D would be the most comparable DACs to the Bekeley Alpha DAC 2.
camb

Showing 10 responses by camb

Did you try the Alpha Dac through both it's AES and S/PDIF inputs? Was the sound equally good?
There's a review of the Berkeley Audio Reference DAC in this month's edition of The Abosolute Sound. Robert Harley put's the DAC's performance right up there with much more expensive DAC's from the likes of DCS!
I've managed to pick up a used Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2 that I'm currently trying out in my system, comparing it to my Simaudio 650D and my Meridian MS600.

The 650D and Alpha DAC 2 are fed from the S/PDIF coaxial RCA output of my Meridian MS600. I am using an RCA-BNC converter to connect my MIT Oracle digital cable to the Alpha DAC 2, as it only has an BNC S/PDIF input.

Based on first impressions, the Alpha DAC 2 is a pretty impressive DAC, especially for the price! Very natural, fluid sound with a big soundstage and great imaging. In terms of tonality it's closer to the MS600 than the 650D in terms of its neutrality and rich, full sound. However the soundstage and imaging is significantly better than the MS600, though not quite as good as the 650D. Bass on the Berkeley isn't quite as extended and well defined as the 650D but is still very good and better defined than the MS600. The Berkeley has much smoother high frequencies than the 650D, which can be a little "hyper revealing" in this area, and more articulate than the MS600.
The Alpha DAC 2 definitely doesn't have the dynamic punch of the Simaudio, particularly in the bass. The Sim is pretty spectacular in that regard. The Sim is also pretty special in terms of the soundstage - it is absolutely enormous - deep, wide, tall with an almost 3 dimensional portrayal of the performers within the soundstage. Totally, though, the Alpha DAC 2 seems more natural and neutral which makes instruments sound more lifelike. The Sim can sometimes be a little thin in the lower midrange/upper bass which can "take a little of the meat off the bone" of instruments, so to speak.
Sorry, I meant to say tonally the Alpha Dac 2 is more neutral/natural, not "totally"