I wish they still offered the RS1 > RS2 upgrade. My RS1 does have the MQA upgraded firmware, but I don’t know how much that might have closed the gap to the RS2. Would be an interesting comparison to test the three revisions with latest firmware against each other. There’s so little info out there that I could find.
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@NickMimi any new thoughts on the berk?
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Yeah, but he’s keeping it in the Roon thread, so you’ll never see it!
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I’ve been using it non-stop. I’m pretty sure the DAC itself is technically superior to everything else I own, but does have its synergy preferences.
I think It’s worth every upgrade and tweak I can make to it based on performance the past few days and I see myself holding on to it and spending some cash in accessories for it eventually.
I have nothing negative to say about it. I can see the series 2 and 3 versions offering immense value to anyone fortunate enough to snag them up either used or even new.
The one caveat I offer up is that you should be familiar with your own likes and preferences and build around it, NOT the other way around.
I’m in the middle of testing my own experiences and trying to verify what if any sound signature differences I can pick out in streaming software (ROON specifically) just to satisfy that question for myself and @dB_Cooper.
I don’t think I have hit the limits of its performance. It’s an old unit and that’s a testament to the companies design philosophy. I also believe Berkeley have stopped upgrading the old units because they feel have reached end of life on this design and it will only cut into sales of their newest pieces which showcase their talents that much better. That’s an annoying thought but the fact they supported the unit fully up to about a year ago speaks volumes to the quality of the pieces IMO.
I still need more time with it In order to experiment with more pieces I have laying around simply to find what combo I enjoy it most with. I could not be happier with the purchase. I’m happy you recommended it and my timing was such that a good unit showed up just when I was ready to make a purchase. it fit my criteria spot on and performs as you said it would.
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FYSA, Using the Alpha DAC ref. w/ Singer SU-6 DDC has been a really good combination. I swapped out this AM for the MATRIX X-SPIDIF/2 w/ no LPS connected and there was some upper midrange and treble grain induced. I have not tried it w/ a good Power supply connected to the Matrix unit yet, but my initial impression is that the Singer unit is a better overall match to the DAC.
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Didn’t know you had a SU-6. Not having to worry about a power supply for them is very liberating. The only reason I haven’t sprung for one is because I want to get something with other inputs besides USB.
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What else besides USB would you want to re-clock and convert? I thought the whole point to a USB converter was to give you the option to come out with a different output cable? No? Am I missing the point to them?
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Some DDC have multiple types of inputs, since you could use a box with aes in and aes out to reclock and provide better quality of signal, or something to take spdif in and output aes, or something of that sort. As an example the d1-digital-mk2 will take in usb, toslink, aes, and spdif and output either spdif or aes, which is handy (although it’s not as feature packed as something like the gaia which can take in and out i2s-h iirc)
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What ^^ he said!
USB is pretty much the domain of the PC. When you’re dealing with other things like a bridge for example there’s no reason to start with USB. To use your Pi2AES as an example, you can go AES/EBU from it to a DDC and then AES/EBU into your DAC never touching USB.
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I just want to capture some more thoughts and experiences while i have some enthusiasm still going strong on the Alpha Reference DAC.
The volume pot has very fine steps, 10 between each whole decibel. I’m sure there was some revelatory engineering thought process behind this feature since it is still included in the newest version but I’m not sure what the best application for such fine volume control is yet. 
In a normal application using the DAC as a pre-amp to a non-integrated amplifier i found it eventually became irritating and a bit troublesome to use. It seems to work exactly as intended, not saying there is an actual problem w/ the feature, i just don’t fancy it after an initial exposure for a few days. I reserve the right to change my opinion in the future 
Anyway, DAC direct to a class A amp sounded real good, no issues but not necessarily the flavor of sound i desire daily. Hmmm, “WTF does that mean Nick? It’s either good or it isn’t? “ No, that’s not how this game works and this is where the less experienced, or too stubborn to try some experimentation miss out a whole lot in this hobby. This is where we take the opportunity to start playing w/ more pieces of equipment in the chain and experimenting w/ any changes that we may or may not be able to extract out of our transducers 
I decided to throw the Eddie Current Studio B in as a pre-amp, to give me a “normal” volume knob to play w/ and also to see what if anything some DHT tubes in the signal path can get us.
I’m into this change for several hours thus far. I’m not sure if the funky extra adjustability of the volume via remote was more annoying than having to get up, walk to the pre-amp, adjust the volume and then go back to my seat 
I’m excited to play w/ this combo till i get bored, the Alpha Reference DAC is a keeper no matter what IMHO. Its prowess is evident in the quality and structure of sound I’m reproducing in my main listening space. 
I went for broke and after an easy decision that this piece is staying in my possession i also ordered the MQA/PCM software upgrade. At over $600 that’s a good chunk of change, if nothing else it will make me feel better about spending money on other accessories for the DAC in the future, knowing i at least have the most up-to-date software package installed.
I’m satiated for now, I “kidney punched” my bank account again, w/ inflation as bad as it is at the moment, the dump of pleasure this purchase gave me will have to last a bit longer than usual, it’s getting harder to re-stuff the coffers…
Nice stuff tends to perform well, if you can, i encourage experimentation and growth in the hobby. One person’s pleasure can be another’s pain, there are no “right” answers here, enjoy what you can cobble together 
I’m open to questions or suggestions, if you want me to pair this thing w/ something ask… Look at my profile for a pretty extensive list of stuff i have sitting around collecting dust in various corners of the house 
I may not have the extensively tuned ear as some of our more advanced members but i do have floppy dumbo sized ears that at the very minimum are able to scoop a good quantity of sound waves out of the air and stuff them into my ear holes.
Tonight’s combo…
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Every dollar spent today is three dollars less I’ll have five years from now, but fuck it we’re all gonna die anyway It’s why I’m browsing USAM as I respond to your port.
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Super interested to hear what kind of difference you experience. Seems like there’s a fair bit of performance Berkeley is able to eek out with firmware.
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@FiCurious , software upgrade has been installed. The obvious upgrade is that i can now experience quite possibly the best rendering of MQA software on the market I don’t have an opinion on this though yet other than it’s added value to me since i spend the money on Tidal, i might as well get the most out of the service.
I have had the opportunity to play a few complete Cassandra Wilson albums on the system w/ the upgrade thus far this evening. Immediately i can tell the left and right soundstage boundaries have extended nicely beyond where they have been all week easily equalling the kind of space my Baltic 3 produces in this room. Nice .
Next I’m going to be very careful in how i make this statement, and please remember this is ALL so very subjective, the system overall feels a little less “sharp”. I’m having a difficult time with this part of the description, i can feel the difference in sound in my teeth. As i listened to the system all week, i enjoyed the sound immensely but i realized i was gently clenching my mouth/teeth throughout each session. The imaging is still pinpoint perfect, the sense of space in the music is palpable, details are forward and vivid none of this has changed. I don’t know how better to describe this fine sensation, sorry best i can do
I don’t regret a single penny spent thus far.
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@gris …you may get a tiny bit of insight via this thread reference your question about a DDC. Direct to a very good streamer might be a better monetary option if you can hold off and save some funds. 
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If anyone has a Berkeley Alpha USB and would like to mod it so it can accept both the existing internal LPS and a higher quality external LPS, I’d be happy to provide some guidance. I took it appart to make some additional changes and finalize things but it is a clear step up in it’s ability with the mod. You’d be looking at a power supply that will cost nearly as much as the USB Alpha in the first place, but man this worked out better than I’d anticipated.
Warranty begone though. lol as if it had a warranty buying used in the first place but still. lol
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How is it so far? How large of a jump do you think it was from stock to the psu mod?
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I’d say worth it if you were serious about getting the most, perhaps mandatory at the $5K+ used DAC level or gear. Certainly if it was going to be attached to a Berkely Alpha Reference 1, 2 or 3. It’s the second time I’ve experience it now, where greatly improving the power on a DDC really takes it up a notch above an already basic good LPS.
So the short answer to your question, it was about the same as sticking a basic DDC between a DAC and and a source. I was kind of shocked.
For me certainly worth it as I’m seeking to eek the most out of my system but at face value, you kind of start to wonder where does it end, where do you draw the line? LOL
It’s a hobby, that’s what I keep telling myself.
Now I’m wondering @M0N whether or not I should make the seemingly obligatory jump around here to a FTA Calisto. I’m also going to try and hunt for a good SPDIF so I can connect that and flick back and forth between the two. I think at this level of clarity changes should become pretty dang obvious.
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I can tell you where mine is… when people suggest poking holes in my gear
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Au revoir resale value. LOL
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You and i buy gear we want and need, that’s the difference. Others simply rent it for a while. I need to start practicing my soldering skills and make some time for quality DIY upgrades of my favorite pieces.
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