Berkeley vs. Simaudio

Cool, would be interested in your thoughts when you hear it!

Camb,

I'll be glad to post my impressions. This will be around the end of October.

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.

I've owned both versions of the Alpha DAC. I preferred the DAC1 by a small margin over the DAC2 for it's slam factor. The DAC2 was bit kinder and gentler. At the DAC1's used price it could be considered a bargain.

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.