2. digital
  3. 173010-2364

Your opinion members of the sonics of the Bricasti M21 and Berkeley Alpha Reference 3

Hello Audiogon members and I hope all is well and you are staying safe. I have looking at some DAC's over the past few months and looking at these two. I have a couple of other threads here on Audiogon on the Berkeley's and my research continues. I do not stream music at this time....I will in the future but not now and that from what I am learning does have an effect on what DAC is best for that option, but that is down the road. I just have my own Redbook library at this time. I have set up a system to my ears that is both musical as well as detailed and we all know that there were ultimately concessions made on trying, trying to obtain that balance. When you add a DAC you are adding a lens or adding a '' flavor '' if I may, so looking for a DAC that has both of those characteristics if possible. Let me know if you have possibly auditioned either one of the se DAC's and your responses would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
garebear
lxgreen's avatar
lxgreen
66 posts
 

I have a Bricasti M12, not the M21 but very similar other than the M21 has an additional processing pathway that may be of interest to you. I came from a Shitt Yggy and the Bricasti was a big upgrade. More importantly, Bricasti customer service is top rate and very responsive. They know what they are doing. Give them a call or send them an email to learn how their units may help solve your questions.

garebear OP
1,061 posts
 
Hello lxgreen and I hope all is well and thank you for your response. How would you describe the sound of your Bricasti ? …...let me know and thank you
Ag insider logo xs@2x
efoo
87 posts
 

Hi

I have the Berkeley alpha ref 3 fed by a blue node 2i.

It performs well.  It does a nice job with Tidal MQA but also sounds great with spotify low res.

I also tried the lumin X1 but lumens multiroom does not sync which is a joke.  I also had the DCS Bartok which is great as well.  

I have never done an A B on any of these.

Good luck in your search,

hgeifman
2,113 posts
 

@garebear, I cannot answer your question if you should purchase the Bricasti M21 DAC or the Berkeley Alpha Reference 3. The answer depends on your budget, audio goals, what you are trying to accomplish, your existing equipment, your listening room and many other complex factors. I have no listening experience with the Berkeley Alpha Reference 3.

My Bricasti M21 DAC (MDx board installed) is outstanding, and I highly recommend it IF you have the budget, supporting high quality equipment and you want state fof the art sound quality. The addition of the M21 substantially improved the sound quality of my audio system. To my ears, everything sounds truly outstanding. The music is clearer, less dark, better bass and sounds more like music.

Bricasti says "The M21’s “advanced architecture means you can select, evaluate and enjoy three independent digital to analog converter signal paths: 24-bit delta sigma, 20-bit ladder DAC and true 1-bit DSD for DSD content. Engineering autonomous conversion paths creates an efficient platform for you to enjoy your music and explore the advantages of each”.

I experimented back and forth between the delta-sigma DAC and the ladder R2R DAC. Two weeks later, I set the DAC to the ladder R2R setting and rarely move it. To my ears, the music sounds better.

The M21 is a world class DAC and is highly recommended. I have no experience with the Berkeley Alpha Reference 3.

As was posted above, I agree that Bricasti customer service is excellent. Bricasti is a top-notch company.  Bricasti supports its products and offered the MDx board upgrade.  I installed the Bricasti MDx digital in my M21 DAC and the sound quality substantially improved.  The MDx board is an outstanding upgrade and is included with all current Bricasti models.   

 

 

 

More to discover