Bay Area Computer Audiophile Get Together

veindoc

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Apr 5, 2013
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Location
Northern California outside SF
Chris Connaker of CA was in town for a local CA gathering. Although a little under the weather from sailing he always is very generous with his
Knowledge and audio expertise. As he has the same speakers as me, I asked him about Axpona and any new tweaks of note to his system. He like Mike was very impressed with the Meridian demo of MQA.
When I asked about best addition to his system it was the Berkeley Ref. Dac and elimination of his preamp. He says he does not miss the preamp at all. He certainly has exposure to more equipment than most mortals(excluding our own big daddy-Mike)so I really value his opinion. He thinks the volume control of this Dac does nothing to degrade from not using his various preamps. He was also very very gung ho on Tidal streaming which he does using an Aurelic Aries into his Dac. He sadly did not spend any time with Lamp Dac at Axpona. As we were in Berkeley he did get to hear nearby M project speakers.

Nick
 
Thanks Nick!

I can't wait for my Berkeley Ref dac to show up. I want to try it with my various amps. I normally prefer a preamp in the chain, but this Ref dac could change all that.
 
Joe, I look forward to your impressions of the Ref Dac when you get it!
 
Thanks Nick!

I can't wait for my Berkeley Ref dac to show up. I want to try it with my various amps. I normally prefer a preamp in the chain, but this Ref dac could change all that.

Joe,
Are still going to have the Devialet in the chain when you get the Berkeley reference dac?
Anshul
 
Joe,
Are still going to have the Devialet in the chain when you get the Berkeley reference dac?
Anshul

Hi Anshul,

No, I think I will use the Berkeley when I switch off to either my Conrad-Johnson, Pass, Jolida, or incoming Lampizator 211 amps. I may try it, but the fact that the Devialet converts analog coming in to it, seems like trouble. It may sound great, but it will be the last thing I try.
 
Thanks Nick. Did Chris give any of his impressions of the M's?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just inquired about the current lead time on the Berkeley Reference DAC and was told to expect 3 to 4 months. It's amazing to me that a DAC in that price range would have so many buyers lined up and waiting patiently to acquire it. I'm afraid that in that amount of time some other DAC will hit the market that I may want more.
 
I just inquired about the current lead time on the Berkeley Reference DAC and was told to expect 3 to 4 months. It's amazing to me that a DAC in that price range would have so many buyers lined up and waiting patiently to acquire it. I'm afraid that in that amount of time some other DAC will hit the market that I may want more.

That's what I was told when I first ordered it, then it "slipped" to 6 months. I think some of the bigger dealers were allowed/encouraged to order a dozen or more at once, knocking out the smaller dealers. I am not happy about that and love my dealer so I will let the order go through.

The original Alpha dac was/is a hit. I have no doubt the Ref dac will be awesome.
 
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