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$5k-$6K DACs w Roon?

Hi Everyone,
I've been a happy user of a Mytek Brooklyn but now that my room is coming together and my room acoustics are on order I'm thinking of a fancier DAC.  My requirements are relatively simple.  Should have USB but preferably Roon player capabilities.

Brands I have been thinking about:
  • Brekeley (Too cool?, no built in USB)
  • Bricasti (never heard it)
  • Mytek Manhattan II (discontinued?)
  • exaSound
Brands I just don't like:  PS, Chord, Benchmark.  No particular reasons to dislike them, just not interested in shopping that way.

Thoughts?
erik_squires
p05129
486 posts
 
Not sure what your bias is against the vendors on your "do not get" list but I would choose 1 of those over any of the 1's you are interested in. If you do want to go with only the 1's on your list, then the Bricasti would be my pic. Sounds like you want to use USB, if so, you're compromised at the start
erik_squires OP
16,013 posts
 
Sounds like you want to use USB, if so, you're compromised at the start


Then we agree you can't help me. :)
erik_squires OP
16,013 posts
 
Why spend that much? Get a Soekris for $899. Quite advanced circuit design!


Well since I am starting from a Mytek Brooklyn, I’m only really interested in getting significantly better. I’ve not heard a Soekris, but I have heard the DACs I listed (except perhaps the Manhattan)

I really liked the Berkeley Alpha I heard at Magico. Liquid but cool. Hard to tell if I was hearing the DAC or ths spepakers or CAT gear.  It's limited inputs ( no USB, no network) make it a tough sell for me over the Bricasti, but I haven't heard the Bricasti in like, forever.
morningstaraudio's avatar
morningstaraudio
154 posts
 
Soekris 2541 Dac.
wjob
60 posts
 
I have the Bricasti M3 with the network card. Excellent DAC. It works well with ROON. For a while there was some concern about ROON and certification - ROON has been slow updating certifications. All fixed now.

I bought the Bricasti as there is an upgrade path - there is already 1 MDX card upgrade and Bricasti has made upgrades to the longer running M1 DAC to stay competitive with the latest technology.

I emailed Bricasti about the delay to certification and Brian (CEO) followed up with me personally. Good customer service. Easy to recommend this company.
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