@audphile1 i find the berkley to be a bit brighter than the Meitner. It will be closer to the Weiss.
DAC UPGRADE
I currently have a Weiss Dac 204 with a Modwright linear power supply. I have found that upgrading the DAC brings out music that I didn't know was on the recording. The 2 contenders are the Meitner MA3i and the Berkely Alpha Dac Series 3. I am leaning toward the Meitner MA3i as it comes with a network card to allow for streaming. I have partly asked this question before in a prior request, but my revised question is the difference in performance between the current and upgrade "substantial" enough to justify the upgrade. The difference in price between the two DACS is about $8500.00. I'd be willing to make the move if the difference in sound quality is substantial. I realize in this hobby there is the law of diminishing returns as you upgrade. I will endeavor to compare the new proposed DAC with my current dac, if possible. I know I am asking a question about value which is subjective to a great extent. Would appreciate any opinions regarding my question.
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@verdantaudio thanks! I never heard a berkeley DAC but I know they are highly regarded. I would assume the sound signature is different than that of Meitner. |
@audphile1 if the Meitner is perfect in your system, brilliant! Not saying you should upgrade but if you were going to I would tell you to look at Playback Designs, Rockna or EMM. Berkeley, Weiss dCS would not be brands I would recommend simply because tonally they will push your system brighter. All about synergy. |
A lot of expensive DACS listed here and I have heard a few of them. My next comment is for someone who wants to try something different and get sound like the $20kish DACs mentioned above. Try a Schiit Singular DAC ($3500) + Schiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp ($500) + iPhone Forkbeard app for volume. I have not heard the Singular (or Byggy) DAC with a regular practical preamp, but it should be excellent. The Valhalla 3 is not a practical preamp. I now feel that the only way I want to hear tubes is via an OTL/OCL design. The Valhalla is the cheapest way to get an OTL/OCL otherwise, spend a lot more for an Allnic 15000 Signature OTL/OCL DAC + Allnic OTL/OCL preamp that is a better version of my Singular + Valhalla 3 + iPhone setup. However, the best DAC I heard and one that has the cleanest and highest resolution of any DAC is the new imersiv D-1 at $12k. It sounds a lot different than the PlayBack Designs MPD-8 that I heard on a killer setup a few weeks ago. I own the Singular and imersiv D-1 DACs. I can better the Singular (by a bit) but not the imersiv D-1.
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