Berkeley Audio Design Reference Alpha DAC Review ...

Joe,

I have been considering replacing my Bryston BDP-2 with the Lumin. Both Mike and Mark are very high on this unit.

But, also under consideration are the BADA Reference and the Bricasti.

Annapolis Rider,

Can you comment more in the differences between the BADA Reference and the Bricasti? I have listened to the Bricasti several times at RMAF. Haven't seen or heard the BADA Ref.

Thx!
 
Hi Mike,

I love my Lumin A1 and have no intention of getting rid of it. I do confess that I do a lot of streaming and Tidal sounds incredible through it, of course everything else sounds amazing as well. I have not heard the Lumin S1 but have heard the Lampizator Big 7. Let's just say that my friend and I looked at each other in disbelief, it sounded incredible. We knew the system without the Lampi and the improvement was stunning.

QUOTE=Ritmo;106140]Joe,

I have been considering replacing my Bryston BDP-2 with the Lumin. Both Mike and Mark are very high on this unit.

But, also under consideration are the BADA Reference and the Bricasti.

Annapolis Rider,

Can you comment more in the differences between the BADA Reference and the Bricasti? I have listened to the Bricasti several times at RMAF. Haven't seen or heard the BADA Ref.

Thx![/QUOTE]
 
Joe, is that Chez Andy?

If so, that is the 2 box L7...the Big 7 is another different beast again...
 
Normal - the Big 7 is PCM and DSD compatible? I thought Lukas was dead set against a single box solution. No?
 
Yes, PCM and DSD128 is an option. Look at my Avatar, that is my Dac there with the holy grail Phillips Miniwatt metal base GZ34 rectifier from 1956. I also have the vol control (preamp) option. pretty soon DSD256 will be available too. The new L7 uses a new PCB.

I upload you some pictures from Warsaw.:

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Thanks Norman. What is the cost of the one in your avatar?

Also, does it have a BNC input?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Absolutely!

It was undeniably wonderful.

You'll have to teach me about the different variations.

Joe, is that Chez Andy?

If so, that is the 2 box L7...the Big 7 is another different beast again...
 
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Thanks Norman. What is the cost of the one in your avatar?

Also, does it have a BNC input?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not sure about US pricing, but fully optioned up should be about $11K retail (I guess)...that is with DSD, Vol Control and Jupiter/Duelund caps.

My big thing is the ability to roll the tubes and the fact that you dont even need strong tubes to get it to work. My vintage 101d ST shape output tubes ran me $100 delivered to Ch via Ebay (I see a strong pair listed there now for $1700 a pair). Why...because they were tested weak and assumed not to work for audio. The seller must have been thinking amp duties, but the feeble usage for dacs means thgat the tube need to be completly dead to be useless. Tube rolling can dramatically change the presentation and the permutation of rolling 8 types of rectis and 6 types of output tubes is mind bogglingly fun! The circuit auto balances to a 45 triode setting, 2A3 setting and a 300b setting. Any 5v 2-3 amp recti is usuable.

You can get almost any conventional connectors you want...forget HDMI and Ethernet, as those are nigh proprietary. Toslink, RCA, EBU/AES/XLR , BNC, are all available...I think you get 2 as standard, ie USB and one other, but the optional additions cost little. You can also get an analog input as well.

BTW, Lampi got 2 mentions in the PFO awards list: http://positive-feedback.com/Issue76/awards2014.htm
 
Absolutely!

It was undeniably wonderful.

You'll have to teach me about the different variations.


He stopped making the 2 box, as he seems to have defaulted to the Big 7 single box configuration for more streamlined production. He also now uses a dedicated pre-made PCB for each level that cuts the amount of wiring needed and reduces variability. I also settles the matter on tube rectification....no more 2 recti setup on the Big 7.

Last point is that the Big 7 HeadDac will be a big 7 option going forward, as he told me that the PCB shown above can be Dac only or HeadDac implemented. AL (pal of Andy too) has heard the prototype and is very positive so far.
 
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