Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 MQA

[The Sandman]

So Mike how do you know its MQA,, for something that cost over $10k you would think the display would be a whole lot better if that display is supposed to indicate MQA and what bit rate is playing ? .

I wouldn't call the display stellar, but it does indicate MQA and if you push the right button on the remote it will display the bit rate briefly. Regardless, you can tell it's working.

 

[audio.bill]

I just realized this is likely the world first demonstration of the success of connecting a dedicated non-Meridian MQA Core Decoder transport (Lumin U1) to a non-Meridian MQA Renderer (Berkeley REF2). :congrats:

Just another world's first to add to Mike's expanding record book, well done! :woot:

 

[CPP]

Since it works in conjunction with a MQA Core decoder such as Tidal desktop app, Audirvana, Lumin U1, any of these will display the MQA sample rate.

Now I got it.

 

[still-one]

Mike
Out of curiosity, is Berkeley now shipping units with the upgrade already installed or will it always be a "option"? If it comes installed did they raise the MSRP?

 

[Mike]

Mike
Out of curiosity, is Berkeley now shipping units with the upgrade already installed or will it always be a "option"? If it comes installed did they raise the MSRP?

Yes, shipping already installed as of last week. MSRP went up slightly to $19,995.

The DAC is now officially called The Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 MQA


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[still-one]

Yes, shipping already installed as of last week. MSRP went up slightly to $19,995.

The DAC is now officially called The Berkeley Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 MQA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, looking forward to your thoughts the more you listen.

 

[Alpinist]

Mike
Out of curiosity, is Berkeley now shipping units with the upgrade already installed or will it always be a "option"? If it comes installed did they raise the MSRP?

Hi Jim,

I will be receiving my brand new Berkeley Ref2 MQA DAC this Thursday. Needless to say, I'm very excited about it. The main decision after that will be which MQA music server to purchase. I hope there will plenty of contenders!

Best,
Ken

 

[still-one]

Hi Jim,

I will be receiving my brand new Berkeley Ref2 MQA DAC this Thursday. Needless to say, I'm very excited about it. The main decision after that will be which MQA music server to purchase. I hope there will plenty of contenders!

Best,
Ken

Ken
Actually there is very little MQA content available for purchase. I keep copies on both my SooLoos server and on the device which holds my Roon content. The vast majority of ~3000 titles is only available from Tidal's streaming content. That is where you will get most of the "normal" music many of us listen to.

I think you will be very pleased with your purchase. If I change out my DAC that is one I will be considering along with dCS and MSB.

 

[Alpinist]

Ken
Actually there is very little MQA content available for purchase. I keep copies on both my SooLoos server and on the device which holds my Roon content. The vast majority of ~3000 titles is only available from Tidal's streaming content. That is where you will get most of the "normal" music many of us listen to.

I think you will be very pleased with your purchase. If I change out my DAC that is one I will be considering along with dCS and MSB.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your response. My plan, at least initially, is to subscribe to Tidal and do all my MQA listening through there. Hopefully the number of MQA songs on Tidal will continue to expand as MQA gains traction. I did an extensive audition of the Berkeley Ref2 DAC on non-MQA material and I was truly impressed with its organic musicality. According to Mike, who has had the opportunity to do beta testing of full MQA with the Lumin U1 and the Berkeley Ref2 DAC, the sonic performance of full MQA is a real game changer.

The only DAC I've listened to that was materially better sounding than the Berkeley Ref2 DAC (on non-MQA music) is the MSB Select II DAC. It somehow manages to bring musicality to an even higher level that I have not previously experienced through digital. But at one-fifth the cost, the Berkeley Ref2 DAC brings me close enough.

Best,
Ken

 

[asiufy]

Hi Ken,

Congrats on the new DAC!

I've found out a lot of new albums that I like are already coming out MQA-encoded on Tidal, which is pretty cool! Let's see if this becomes a trend!

I've noticed a distinct lack of classical and jazz on the Tidal MQA selections, but the stuff I'm sampled, sounded truly good and noticeably better than CDs, and on par with 24/192 downloads.


cheers,
alex

 

[still-one]

Mike
Could you describe the set-up you are using with your Berkeley DAC. Is it Tidal and Roon. A Lumin device accessing Roon. Lumin's output to the Berkeley DAC feeding a pre-amp?

What devices are hardwired to your network and which are wirelessly accessing it wirelessly.

 

[Mike]

Mike
Could you describe the set-up you are using with your Berkeley DAC. Is it Tidal and Roon. A Lumin device accessing Roon. Lumin's output to the Berkeley DAC feeding a pre-amp?

What devices are hardwired to your network and which are wirelessly accessing it wirelessly.

Right now:

Lumin U1 --> Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU --> Berkeley REF2 MQA.

I will put the Alpha USB back into the mix later and A:B vs straight AES/EBU from the U1.


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[still-one]

Right now:

Lumin U1 --> Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU --> Berkeley REF2 MQA.

I will put the Alpha USB back into the mix later and A:B vs straight AES/EBU from the U1.


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Are both the Lumin U1 and REF 2 hardwired to your network?

 

[Mike]

Are both the Lumin U1 and REF 2 hardwired to your network?

The U1 is connected via AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet to the network in the store. The REF2 does not have a network interface. It's connected to the U1 via AES/EBU.


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[still-one]

The U1 is connected via AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet to the network in the store. The REF2 does not have a network interface. It's connected to the U1 via AES/EBU.


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Opps. Makes sense.

What rums you Roon Core. A device hardwired or connected wirelessly?

 

[asindc]

Right now:

Lumin U1 --> Siltech Royal Signature AES/EBU --> Berkeley REF2 MQA.

I will put the Alpha USB back into the mix later and A:B vs straight AES/EBU from the U1.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm keenly interested in reading about your impressions of this comparison.

 

[Mike]

Opps. Makes sense.

What rums you Roon Core. A device hardwired or connected wirelessly?

I run Roon on a MacBook Pro in the store for now. I'm waiting for Roon (the company) to come out with their box. That being said, I'm not running Roon to feed the U1 right now because Roon cannot handle full blown MQA - yet. Soon. The Lumin app however can, right now.


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[still-one]

I run Roon on a MacBook Pro in the store for now. I'm waiting for Roon (the company) to come out with their box. That being said, I'm not running Roon to feed the U1 right now because Roon cannot handle full blown MQA - yet. Soon. The Lumin app however can, right now.


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Mike. Roon will pass a MQA files that can be unfolded to their full extent if you have a MQA DAC. That is the way I get my files to my Meridian 808v6. In your Tidal App you have to check Pass Thru Mode and it will disable software decoding and pass the MQA signal for the DAC to handle.

 

[Mike]

Mike. Roon will pass a MQA files that can be unfolded to their full extent if you have a MQA DAC. That is the way I get my files to my Meridian 808v6. In your Tidal App you have to check Pass Thru Mode and it will disable software decaying and pass the MQA signal for the DAC to handle.

Thanks Jim, I will try that.


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[Alpinist]

I just took delivery on my Berkeley Reference 2 MQA DAC! :woot::congrats::yahoo1:

Best,
Ken