Worth upgrading from Mytek Brooklyn to Mytek Brooklyn Bridge?

When I finally decided to go truly digital after years with only a CD/SACD player and a turntable in my system, I essentially skipped all intermediate steps and bought a Brooklyn Bridge.  Previous to that, my only non-Compact Disc digital came via my Zoom digital recorder, which I used to record the Old Time fiddle jams I participated in each week...jams which usually happened at a pizza joint where a TV was always blaring in the background.  I'd plug the Zoom straight into my stereo via the aux input.  And cringe at all the wrong notes, iffy intonation and arguments over what we ought to play next.

But I digress.  Bottom line, I love my Brooklyn Bridge to distraction.  I'm getting the best sound I've ever gotten out of an audio system, and I've been addicted to hifi since the 1950's.  It doesn't hurt that I have it connected via Ethernet cable from a wall outlet I installed in my stereo room.  It sounds better than what I get via the Mytek BB's WiFi.  It certainly sounds better than when I use the BB to interface between my stereo and my laptop.

Thank you for sharing your experience edcyn. I may be overthinking this. The majority of the comments I have read indicate that an Ethernet connect outperforms a USB connection.

I spent some time re-watching the Hans Beekhuyzen reviews of the SOtM SMS-200 Ultra and the Brooklyn Bridge. He gushed about the 200 Ultra and Hans is not a guy to gush. Then some time later when he compared his Brooklyn DAC used with the 200 Ultra Neo to the Brooklyn Bridge, he could not hear a difference. To me that says the Brooklyn Bridge must be pretty special piece. I think I’m going to go for it.

Again, thank you for your comments. I appreciate them. If you are interested, I included links to the reviews below.



SOtM SMS200 Ultra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV-FvRF9KGA&t=607s

Mytek Brooklyn Bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9ikVU7ions&t=571s

I am still in a temporary location but I couldn't wait any longer. I unpacked the Brooklyn Bridge that arrived Thursday and found my Senn HD 800 headphones and Arctic ION + cable.

Even though I am still using a laptop with Tidal and I don't have the Blue Heaven USB cable I was using with the previous configuration (The Brooklyn Bridge replaced a Brooklyn DAC +) I am quite impressed.

Just keep in mind that Roon still requires a server.

Best,

E

@stevejewels I’m sure it sounds really nice. I’ve enjoyed the HD800s each time I have had the opportunity to listen to them. Again, best of luck with the BB and thank you for taking the time to track me down here.

I’ve pretty much decided that I want to use an Ethernet connection and get away from USB. The question I have now is just how to do it. I spent some time looking at the products from SOtM and Sonore and while they both look interesting, I’m not a fan of the small boxes with external power supplies. I think the Brooklyn Bridge better fits my needs.

@erik_squires  Sure. I’m using a dedicated Mac Mini to run the server code now and I’m going to continue to do that. My goal is to get the computer out of the listening room. I intend move it into my office and wire it to the router there. Then I’ll connect the BB to the Ethernet connection that I have in my listening room and hopefully it will all hang together.

@direwolf336 

I was investigating the same thing. How to best bypass my laptop or computer and stream to my Brooklyn DAC + . There are a number of ways to do it. The BB seemed to be the best route. (Pun intended.) I was very pleased with the DAC + so that was easy. I read a bunch of reviews and was confident that Mytek would, A. Get the streaming right and B. Not detrimentally affect the DAC function.

The DAC function is as good as, if not better than the DAC +. I still have an SBooster power supply to integrate and Ethernet. I am living in a hotel and can't connect to the WiFi to stream.

I recently upgraded the Sennheiser cable to an Arctic ION +. In addition to better quality wire and being Litz wire it is balanced. A very nice improvement.

@edcyn I'm also seriously considering the Brooklyn Bridge. How are you liking it so far? Does it really lean toward the bright side of things?

arafiq -- The Brooklyn Bridge is now pretty much my preamp.  In addition to the streaming, the CD player and the vinyl now go through it.  I did, though, follow a suggestion in the BB's instructions and now bypass the BB's level controls.  I now once again strictly use my integrated amp's volume control.  Yeah, it may be a pain to have to get out of my easy chair to adjust the volume (ugh and a half!) but the suggestion does give me a touch more three-dimensionality and life.
As to your question, with this change I now do occasionally get a hair of brightness from the BB but this brightness only comes when streaming.  In other words, it is strictly source dependent.  Qobuz can occasionally overcook things, but Primephonic has never sounded so good.  In any case, the rest of my system is on the mellow side so essentially the BB just gives me more life. 

Bottom line, your mileage may vary but I'm sitting pretty.  I'm now out of the component upgrade game.

@edcyn -- thank you for the detailed response. Since I will be streaming 90% of the time using Qobuz, brightness is definitely a concern. I guess I'm more sensitive to brightness than most. But it's good to know that you have found something you really like. Always a good place to be in.