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Berkeley DAC Series 1, anything better 2.5K$

Hey guys,

I am about to plunge for a used Berkeley DAC Alpha Series 1 that will set me back by $2200.

I have heard it in comparison with Benchmark and there is no comparison. I did A/B test it with the Series 2, but did not think the difference was worth paying 3000$ extra.

However before taking the plunge I was wondering if there are any other DACs < 2.5K that might beat the Series 1 (its pretty old).

There are so many DACs and so little time so thought someone hear might be able to help. Am I making a big mistake overlooking the new kids on the block (QuteHD or Yamamoto) that might outperform the venerable Berkeley Alpha Series 1.

Looking forward to hearing your opinions.
essrand
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
Thats all fine, guys but no one can dispute the Berkeley has had some of the best reviews (EVER for a DAC); the NAD, not as near. I love the way we embrace something we like and can afford and all of a sudden its the best darn thing out there.

Me, I like to listen.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Cerrot,
With all due respect, Sabai clearly stated he "owned" the Berkley DAC (as well as AMR and EMM which are even more expensive!) so money obviously is`nt an issue for him. You seem hung up on the price of an audio component and its review status,them say "me, I like to listen". Well if your conclusions are based on listening as you claim,reviews and price should be irrelevamt for you.I haven`t heard eithe the NAD M51 or the Berkley(have you heard the NAD?). Sabai has"owned" both and made a decision,he prefers the NAD. Why is that difficult to except?
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Essrand,

Yes, the NAD goes directly to the amplifier. I use the NAD as a pre-amp. It is interesting that the NAD suffered in your system when you introduced a pre-amp. I was thinking of doing the same thing in the future but I may put this idea on hold. The NAD as a pre-amp performs flawlessly in my system.

Charles1dad and Essrand, IMO the Berkeley series 1 did not merit Robert Harley's hype. The NAD M51 outperforms it by a country mile in my system.
krellman7
4 posts
 
Unfortunately today advertising dollars spent with a publication directly correlates to glowing reviews (maybe not in every case, but many)! I've seen this with Berkeley, Meridian and countless other brands! I have little to no faith in what reviewers say about a given product! The only thing I trust when choosing a product is my ears in the context of my current system and the environment in which it's used! I purposely don't read reviews of products I'm interested in because I don't want what I may have read to influence my decision! I will typically read the review "after" I have auditioned the product! Sometimes I agree with the reviewer, sometimes not! I have had a few instances where I was at a complete loss to understand what a particular reviewer heard (translated....scream and run the other way...LOL)! TRUST YOUR EARS, NOT SOMEONE ELSE!
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Cerrot and Charles1dad,

Since reviews are often tainted by factors that have nothing to do with sonic parameters I discount their importance. The only thing that matters to me is what I hear.
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