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Berkeley dac2/Alpha USB vs ps audio perfect wave ?


I want to try going without a preamp but want to have very good quality dac sound to make it a fair right (I will demo vs the existing preamp before I pull it out ). I've kinda narrowed this down to these two set ups based on reviews , features, and ease of resale if I change my mind. Perfect wave is about half the total cost if you pick it up on Audiogon. Both Computeraudiohile and absolute sound raved about Berkeley, and both gave very good reviews to the perfect wave 2 but without comparing it directly to Berkeley .

(I already have the Berkeley USB but I know I could resell easily so im not locked into that choice ).
audiojbva
jdoris
972 posts
 
My problem **was** in fact with USB implementation: brief interruptions of play ("skipping"), usually once a track.

By luck, after 8 months of headaches, I figured out it was problem involving the interaction between the PWD and my MACbook (it did not occur when I swapped in another DAC, nor did it occur when I used a CDP as transport).

Both the MAC "geniuses" and PSA disclaimed knowledge of how to resolve the problem, and responsibility for doing so.

A random software update after I'd decided to give up on PSA resolved the problem. I kept the PWD, but the experience did very little to improve my mood.

Best,

John
edorr
714 posts
 
Interesting. Never heard of USB related problems with the PWD MKII. Bad luck. Plenty issues with the bridge though.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I never had a problem with the bridge or coaxial connections. Use bridge for music collection on pc and coaxial with SB Touch for internet radio.

Just plug in ethernet cable, select "bridge" and voila, music!

I do find PS Audio software is much inferior to SB. Some of the reported problems are trivial for any competent engineer.
eugene81
263 posts
 
I have owned the Berkeley and borrowed the PS Audio. Without consideration of price I would pick the BADA Series 2. To me it is more refined. By comparison the PWD MkII sounds more homogeneous. That is, timbres of different instruments sound more distinct with the BADA whereas the PWD carries more of a "house sound". I was very impressed by the PWD, though. It is very clean and open sounding. Highly detailed with great dynamics, yet very smooth and relaxed. Very easy to listen to, almost soothing, without being syrupy or cloudy in the slightest.

If funds permit, I would personally go with the BADA, but I have lived with both DACs so it would be hard to take a step back. If you are going in blind then I would be surprised if you had any disappointments with the PWD MkII. If you don't have a good transport or USB/SPDIF converter if using a computer then my advice would be to save the money and invest it there. It makes a huge difference.
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