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DAC - DCS Bartok or the new Berkeley Alpha DAC 3

Looking for a dac trying to decide between DCS Bartok or the new Berkeley Alpha DAC 3.

I will not be able to hear them before I buy so I am looking for general thoughts.

They will be paired with MC462 and C22.  I have Revel 228BE speakers.

I am also looking for a streamer that can do multiroom with out roon.

Currently considering Bluesound node or Moon MIND2

Thanks
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pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,212 posts
 
@efoo that's not a bad problem to have.  I would love to be in position to be purchasing a Bartok.
drbond
422 posts
 

I know almost nothing about DAC, except that there are at least two different approaches to DAC: a delta sigma approach, and an R2R approach.  Are all of these DAC's (ARC, Berkeley, and DCS) delta sigma DAC's?

welcher's avatar
welcher
114 posts
 

I auditioned both the DCS and Berkeley family of DACS. Both are fine DACS. I found the DCS house sound to be very smooth. While the Berkeley house sound is leaner and more engaging. In the end I thought the DCS sounded better but I enjoyed the Berkeley more. 

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efoo OP
92 posts
 

Which Berkely did you buy?

 

welcher's avatar
welcher
114 posts
 

Based upon a very good deal I ended up with a Berkeley Reference 3.

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