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Stereophile & Mytek Brooklyn - Better than it Measures

I just read Stereophile’s review of the Brooklyn. The Brooklyn is a mini-preamp and DAC. The preamp parts includes one pair of RCA inputs which go to an optionally enabled phono stage. List is just under $2k

Unlike JA’s speaker reviews, I don’t have much to criticize this review for but as an owner I wanted to chime in. In fact I found JA’s writing quite useful as I learned why I can’t try out the different digital filters. MQA bites me again! I can either enable MQA or have filter control, but not both. Perhaps I missed it in the article but I’m not clear if JA tried out the fast roll-off filter or not.

First, this DAC sounds a lot better than it measures. What I mean is, we’ve all seen DAC’s that end up with superb measurements and develop a following, despite sounding well, emotionally flat to many. The Mytek is no such thing. It’s quite fun to listen to. Tonally I would put it close to the Berkeley Alpha, but while it has a glass smooth treble, it lacks the overall "cool" sound of the BADA. Compared to the Schiit I heard I find the Brooklyn every bit as resolving, but again, tonal balance leaning more towards the BADA. These are total nits though. I think I could live happily with any of these 3 DAC’s. :) Just for reference.

I’m using the Brooklyn as a USB DAC and preamp right now. Sorry, no vinyl here to try. I’m feeding it from a Xubuntu server and Logitech Media Server/Squeezelite. I was using a Parasound P7 for my integrated HT/stereo setup but it may be months before I can do 5.1 again so I decided to go direct. It definitely shows the P7 to sound a little veiled by comparison. Also, imaging is somewhat improved this way, perhaps due to better channel separation, or better frequency extension.

One great thing about the Brooklyn is that it is pretty much insensitive to sources, unlike my previous DAC the laid back ARC DAC 8. It really only sounded superb on high rez sources and even better via USB with proprietary drivers. The Brooklyn sounds great via USB and on any format you throw at it. It’s actually very hard to distinguish Redbook from 96/24. Of course, the flame wars will begin now about how that should be interpreted. I’m only stating what I hear. What conclusions you draw are your own.

Other interesting points about the review is how little praise MQA gets here. JA writes that MQA files sound better with MQA decoding, but in absolute terms of using MQA vs. not, he writes a single sentence.

Like JA I also have occasional need to reboot the entire thing. One thing that seems to get me into trouble is switching rapidly between PCM resolution locks it up, and very rarely when listening to Jazz FM 91 (96k/16) it would not lock on properly so there was quite a bit of distortion on the top end. I’m a little concerned actually this is a heat issue because now that fall is upon us in the SF Bay area I no longer experience it.

I’m not the biggest fanboy of DSD, but I like it a smidge better, and the recordings I have from Blue Coast Records sound superb.

Thanks to my PC setup, I use the PC and therefore the Brooklyn to watch Netflix/Hulu, etc. and I have to tell you, it's really kind of crazy good! :) You don't realize how good Saturday Night Live sounds until you've listened this way.

Anyway, I hope this helps you. As always, only to your own ears should you be true.

erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,017 posts
 
Correction; The article's author is another JA: Jim Austin.

My sincere apologies to Jim Austin, I’ve no idea what his speaker reviews are like. I read John Atkinson on the measurements and somehow believed he was the article’s author, or I messed up which JA I meant, in either event, my bad. 

Best,


Erik
erik_squires OP
16,017 posts
 
@bigshutterbug What power supply did you end up using?

Best,

Erik
bigshutterbug
381 posts
 
I tried 3 different power supplies on the Brooklyn....An HDPlex 100,  a Keces ,and one "non-audiophile" one, which is built like a tank and quite affordable... An Astron RS-12A. I found the HDPlex and the Keces were quite "soft" sounding, and did not improve detail or imaging. I read a post on Computer Audiophile about the Brooklyn, and someone mentioned the Astron, which is American made. I picked up a used one for well under $100. It puts out 13.8 volts, but can be turned down to 12 volts by adjusting it inside. To my surprise, the Astron sounded fantastic, with a lot more clarity, energy, and detail. I had also tried various AC cords going to the Brooklyns own power supply, which just resulted in modest tonal changes to the sound. 
erik_squires OP
16,017 posts
 
@bigshutterbug

Thank you! I found a version with V and A meters I will have to try.

One last thing, what was the DC plug you used? Do you remember? I imagine I'll have to make my own.

Best,


Erik
bigshutterbug
381 posts
 
Yes, the Astron VS-12M is the variable voltage and amperage version of the RS 12A that I am using on my Brooklyn. I am also using a VS-12M on my Microrendu with similar results. I have a local audiophile friend who I just visited with yesterday, who tried a VS-12M on his Tortuga based LDR pre-amp, and we were both quite amazed at how good it sounded in his rig. I am using some simple, affordable ends I found on E-Bay, which, tighten down on the wires with small screws. The make it easy to experiment with different types of wire for the DC leads.....The type of wire used can also make a noticeable tonal difference.  I have tried dozens  of different types of wire, from ultra-pure stranded and solid core copper, to stranded and solid core silver and silver plated copper of all sorts. 
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