DAC UPGRADE

@ghdprentice the Meitner MA3i (the latest iteration of MA3) is exceptional and provides details in the most natural way with amazing layering in the soundstage.

@kjl1065 few things about using MA3i as a DAC/streamers:

• you want to use either Roon or Qobuz Connect or Tidal Connect - Mcontrol app has a really bare bones UI and is not the best. 
• Roon is the best of both worlds - local files and streaming services
• The network card in the Meitner is sensitive which kind of explains what @yyzsantabarbara heard compared to his streamer via USB. This is the most critical aspect of a setup with Meitner - you need high quality ethernet cable and either a good switch or good passive filter. 

here’s my setup:

EERO to Trendnet 8 port switch with Wireworld Starlight 10 Twinax, Roon Nucleus One into Trendnet with another WW Starlight 10, then Trendnet to Meitner via Audience Hidden Treasure Ethernet cable. 
 

This configuration beat the Aurender N200 into Meitner via Audience StudioOne USB cable. I also tried Shunyata Alpha X and Audience FrontRow USB with Aurender. None came close to the sound quality I get with the above described setup. I sold the Aurender N200 and haven’t looked back. 

I used a regular Cat 5 Ethernet cable when I tested the Meitner MA3i Ethernet streamer. The functionality of the NET streamer is great and worked wonderfully feature wise with ROON. Like I said I did not hear that input to its best ability.

@yyzsantabarbara yes. And my MA3i took over 200hrs to settle. It kept improving but 200hr mark is where you get a proper feel for it. 
 

@kjl1065 you’re unlikely to get many responses from the actual owners of Berkeley or Meitner who went to these DACs from your Weiss.
The only way you will know is to hear these DACs in your system. When you’re making this kind of purchase a dealer should allow a home audition and should possibly even set this up for you in your home. Each DAC should be auditioned without swapping another unit in/out for at least 2 days with several hours of listening to allow the DAC and yourself time to begin appreciating its qualities. This shouldn’t be rushed. 

This is the switch I’m using 

https://a.co/d/1B01C5S

I would pause for a moment.  I am a dealer for Weiss and Meitner and although not a Berkeley dealer, I have had their products in on trade.  

Weiss 204 to Meither MA3i give me pause as these are radically different sound profiles.  The Meitner is smoother, more musical and much less bright.  Superficially this sounds appealing, but if your system is tuned and optimized for the Weiss, switching to the Meitner is going to materially alter the tonality of your system which will become much more laid back.  If this is the desired outcome, great!  If not, you can end up playing whack a mole as you changed your dad now what else will you need to change to get sound back to where you like it.   

Alternatively, if you ant to maintain the current tonal balance of your system I would look at a 501/502 from Weiss which has an on-board renderer.  I know it is a bit more than the Meitner but will maintain your current sonic balance and might be. better choice.  

The Berkley tonally is probably a better choice than the Meitner.  You could also look at a Chord TT2/MScaler combo.