Brinkmann Nyquist DAC - technical jewel with marvelous sound

sksouri1456 said:
Hi, kuoppis,
I ve read the review of the nyquist fully and your review only complements and confirm it.
Really happy for you.
Can you please tell me if the nyquist could be used as a preamp feeding power amp directly.( balnced or unbalanced)?
I know a proper integrated or preamp will be much better, but i was thinking, may be as a start invest in nyquist, feed it with power amps ,then invest in a good preamp.
Thks


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Hi sksouri, thank you for the kind words. I think the guys at Brinkmann have done a tremendous job.

I have not tried it as I have a quite nice preamp. The Nyquist however has a 10-step gain attenuator, which could in principle work as a volume control. What I don’t know, is whether the attenuator is set to do 0-100% in ten steps, or whether the attenuator is set to do ten steps somewhere in the middle (e.g. 40-60%). And it has a volume control in the hp amp mode (99 steps if I remember correctly).

I might be able to try it when I get back home tomorrow and will report back.


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Hi,
This will be very interesting, specialy compared to your descent preamp.
In one of the latest review i be red, the reviewer explained how mqa is played thru berkely and thru the nyquist.
As you explained the berkeley needed an extra renderer and so and so.... but the funny and amazing part is the comparison btw the 2.
He said wheter you like the latest porche 911r( without a/c, without most of the options, manual gear, etc etc.....) wich is the berkeley or the 911 with all it s options wich is the nuquist.
Thks


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sksouri1456 said:
Hi,
This will be very interesting, specialy compared to your descent preamp.
In one of the latest review i be red, the reviewer explained how mqa is played thru berkely and thru the nyquist.
As you explained the berkeley needed an extra renderer and so and so.... but the funny and amazing part is the comparison btw the 2.
He said wheter you like the latest porche 911r( without a/c, without most of the options, manual gear, etc etc.....) wich is the berkeley or the 911 with all it s options wich is the nuquist.
Thks

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I have not compared them head-to-head, but I am sure both are great. Soundwise either one is reference level, the Brinkmann is best digital I have heard so far.

Your comparison is in that sense fitting that the Nyquist has a more complete feature set. While the Brinkmann has signal inputs via USB, COAX, USB, optical and Ethernet the connection possibilities in the Ref II are limited, as it needs the Alpha USB converter for USB input. The Brinkmann is also a Roon ready network streamer.

In terms of media support the Nyquist also supports any current media format up to very high resolution level PCM, incl. full MQA decoding, and discrete DSD processing, while the Berkeley is just a renderer and needs another device or SW to unfold MQA before being able to decode it.


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PREamp :

sksouri1456, The Nyquist can be fine-adjusted in gain (in the analog stage) from 0dB (gain =1) to +10dB (gain =about 3). So this is not a volume control. Connected directly to power amps this would be very loud ! ;-)

In short, you will need a volume control on an integrated amp, or a preamp as control to power amps.
 
Thks bmichels,
So an integrated will do it.
Interesting , let s see..


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bmichels said:
PREamp :

sksouri1456, The Nyquist can be fine-adjusted in gain (in the analog stage) from 0dB (gain =1) to +10dB (gain =about 3). So this is not a volume control. Connected directly to power amps this would be very loud ! ;-)

In short, you will need a volume control on an integrated amp, or a preamp as control to power amps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that, this was my impression as well. It allows adjustment in relation to other components and also slightly impacts the sound. I’m currently running the Brinkmann at gain set to 7.

Trying to run the Nyquist directly into a 500 wpc power amp might indeed not be a good idea [emoji3].

Have you had the Nyquist in your own system yet?


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Kuoppis said:
Thanks for clarifying that, this was my impression as well. It allows adjustment in relation to other components and also slightly impacts the sound. I’m currently running the Brinkmann at gain set to 7.

Trying to run the Nyquist directly into a 500 wpc power amp might indeed not be a good idea [emoji3].

Have you had the Nyquist in your own system yet?


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HNY kuoppis,
No i didnt buy the nyquist, but i m planning some moves for2018: like changing my amp and getting a streaming dac.
I move generally few steps up when i do upgrade components, so i like very much the technology behind the nyquist.
Top notch sound, tube outputs, plenty of input; lovely roon endpoint, all in one with outstanding look.
If i was use i ll put it on top of the rack though!
If i have the funds, i ll buy it right now without an hesitation !


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sksouri1456 said:
HNY kuoppis,
No i didnt buy the nyquist, but i m planning some moves for2018: like changing my amp and getting a streaming dac.
I move generally few steps up when i do upgrade components, so i like very much the technology behind the nyquist.
Top notch sound, tube outputs, plenty of input; lovely roon endpoint, all in one with outstanding look.
If i was use i ll put it on top of the rack though!
If i have the funds, i ll buy it right now without an hesitation !


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Happy New Year 2018 to you too.

I like your thinking, it definitely has a great feature set. And it is a bit of an eye candy with all the innards visible under the glass top. Will also get a new rack so I can put it on the top level next to the turntable.

But one piece of advice, if I may: do not audition it. I am fairly certain, if you do, you will get hooked and then you have to come up with the funds. This is what happened to me.

My original intention was just to find a premium level DAC to evaluate MQA and that’s why I auditioned the Nyquist. But pretty soon I found out I that did not want to give it back, it’s simply superb with any format.

I had the fairly good Meitner MA-1 before, but the Brinkmann is taking digital as a whole to an entirely new level. It has this new analogue-like, but better sound signature.

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Interesting test today: different power cables on the Nyquist.

Background is that while a lots of even high end audio gear comes with some pretty inferior power cables inbox, the Nyquist cable has been customized for this particular D/A converter as part of the product development process. Helmut Brinkmann actually recommends to use it or at least to audition the inbox cable with Nyquist as well. Interestingly enough, he also recommends to plug the cable directly into the wall (same outlet as the power amp), instead of going via a power filter. Rationale being that the DAC already has a power filter inbuilt.

Expectation setting: my expectation was that the €1.8K Shunyata Alpha Digital would blow everything else away, no matter what. I played Mavis Staples, Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden/ Jim Hall, Diana Krall in MQA during the test.

1. Shunyata Venom 3 HD: Good sound, but bass a bit overblown IMHO. Likely reason is of course that the HD cable has been designed to be used with juice hungry power amps.
2. WyWires Platinum power: Quite nice and balanced sound, like it better than the venom. More balanced, no excessive bass emphasis.
3. Shunyata Alpha Digital: Nice and balanced, full and solid sound, no excessive bass. This cable has been developed for use with D/A converters etc.
4. Nyquist inbox cable (directly into the wall): surprisingly good sound, it is not like the other cables were outclassing it. But I felt it was a bit nervous sounding plugged-in directly into the wall.
5. Nyquist inbox cable (into the Shunyata Triton): surprisingly good sound, nervousness gone. A bit less bass than the Shunyata Alpha, but with well defined and articulated mids and top. Did not feel bass was lacking. Very nice transparency on the top.

In a preliminary summary, I could live with either of three latter options, just the Venom HD had obviously been designed for a different purpose. And while I have not made up my mind yet which is going to be used, I am surprised how well the Brinkmann stock cable held its own against high quality aftermarket cables. In a quick comparison the Brinkmann cable was kind of the leanest, but also the sparkliest. The WyWires Platinum sounded a tad warmer and was sort of the middle ground, and the Shunyata Alpha Digital added a bit to that. Then again the Alpha dug deeper in the lower frequencies.


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Kuoppis said:
Interesting test today: different power cables on the Nyquist.

Background is that while a lots of even high end audio gear comes with some pretty inferior power cables inbox, the Nyquist cable has been customized for this particular D/A converter as part of the product development process. Helmut Brinkmann actually recommends to use it or at least to audition the inbox cable with Nyquist as well. Interestingly enough, he also recommends to plug the cable directly into the wall (same outlet as the power amp), instead of going via a power filter. Rationale being that the DAC already has a power filter inbuilt.

Expectation setting: my expectation was that the €1.8K Shunyata Alpha Digital would blow everything else away, no matter what. I played Mavis Staples, Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden/ Jim Hall, Diana Krall in MQA during the test.

1. Shunyata Venom 3 HD: Good sound, but bass a bit overblown IMHO. Likely reason is of course that the HD cable has been designed to be used with juice hungry power amps.
2. WyWires Platinum power: Quite nice and balanced sound, like it better than the venom. More balanced, no excessive bass emphasis.
3. Shunyata Alpha Digital: Nice and balanced, full and solid sound, no excessive bass. This cable has been developed for use with D/A converters etc.
4. Nyquist inbox cable (directly into the wall): surprisingly good sound, it is not like the other cables were outclassing it. But I felt it was a bit nervous sounding plugged-in directly into the wall.
5. Nyquist inbox cable (into the Shunyata Triton): surprisingly good sound, nervousness gone. A bit less bass than the Shunyata Alpha, but with well defined and articulated mids and top. Did not feel bass was lacking. Very nice transparency on the top.

In a preliminary summary, I could live with either of three latter options, just the Venom HD had obviously been designed for a different purpose. And while I have not made up my mind yet which is going to be used, I am surprised how well the Brinkmann stock cable held its own against high quality aftermarket cables. In a quick comparison the Brinkmann cable was kind of the leanest, but also the sparkliest. The WyWires Platinum sounded a tad warmer and was sort of the middle ground, and the Shunyata Alpha Digital added a bit to that. Then again the Alpha dug deeper in the lower frequencies.

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Further update on the power cable test:
- yesterday’s test was mainly with Jazz and popular music
- today I listened to some excellent classical music, and pun intended, the Shunyata Alpha Digital really rocks - great details, great dynamics, superb low-end extension
- in a way my initial assumption proved to be accurate, even though the gap is quite a bit smaller than expected


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Kuoppis said:
Happy New Year 2018 to you too.

But one piece of advice, if I may: do not audition it. I am fairly certain, if you do, you will get hooked and then you have to come up with the funds. This is what happened to me.

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I think I will be in the same boat today, I noticed a UPS delivery from my dealer but not sure I want to play this just yet as I am somewhat happy with my system, getting ready to finish the last of the cable upgrades.

Plus I have a SACD collection that sounds spectacular running through the PS Audio Memory Player and Direct Stream.

Worst case I can incorporate the Oppo 205 as the spinner? Wish I did not have these thoughts, it’s about control for 2018.




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Remember resistance is futile, you will be assimilated [emoji3].

In case you will indeed get to have the Nyquist into your system, you’ll love it. The PS Audio DSD DAC Memory Player are great, but the Brinkmann will top it. And the Oppo can be connected via AES/EBU.

Good luck, please report back.


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Hi Kuoppis.
I do not know if you have already asked this question.
Could you compare the USB input with the RJ45?
 
nonesup said:
Hi Kuoppis.
I do not know if you have already asked this question.
Could you compare the USB input with the RJ45?
Click to expand...

Hi Francisco, have not done it yet as I will need one more of these formidable Audioquest Vodka Ethernet cables for that.

But when I do I will report back.


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Shootout of a different kind today: Vpi Prime/ Ortofon Cadenza/ Grandinote Celio vs. Brinkmann Nyquist. Same material, parallel play via the same system. The phono system has lesser cables though, compared to the WyWires Platinum elsewhere in the system.

Fresh vinyl coming in today:
42521b9c78fe9cd5b751da0f270a0cf2.jpg


PCM version via Tidal:
fd3d80f2e51ae166fd909b9fc972f4e0.jpg


Smoothness of sound:
- pretty much equal, no glare even with PCM with the Nyquist
- Vpi sounds a tad rounder, maybe slightly more closed-in
- Brinkmann sound slightly more open

Details and resolution:
- Vpi is very nice, but Brinkmann has a nose length up

Sound coloration
- Vinyl with typical, nice and warm sound
- Nyquist with equal coloration, but clearer articulated details

Mids and highs:
- very similar, tad more clarity with Nyquist

Bass extension:
- both with good bass, but Nyquist has slightly better definition and structure

PrAT:
- very similar

In a conclusion, I could pretty much stop buying vinyl if I were so inclined. While they sound more alike than not, I still do get to some extent two different sounds. But it is more like a better and a lesser cart, both are lush and nice. While the Cadenza Bronze is a 2K cart, the Brinkmann would be more like a 7-8K cart.

This test was done with material originally recorded in the mid 50’s, maybe the result would have been different with a more modern recording. Need to do that as well, maybe against MQA.

But then again, I happen to Iike playing around with the vinyl discs and will continue to do that in the future. But I am really impressed with the Nyquist.

Only turnside is, now I need a better cart [emoji3].


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I don't think this was a fair comparison because your LP is mono and you are playing it back through a stereo cartridge. And like you surmised based on your table and cartridge, you may have brought a plastic spoon to a knife fight. A much more fair comparison would be a stereo LP with great sonics compared to it's digital brother via the Nyquist. At least you would have a fighting chance given your table and cartridge. You are basically comparing a $6k table/cartridge combo against an $18k DAC. That's a 3x price differential. However, if your cartridge, arm, and table are setup correctly, you should have a good shot at a fair fight if you are playing a modern stereo LP that you know sounds really good. If you had a table, arm, and cartridge that had a combined value of $18k, we might be talking a whole other story. You still have a shot though.
 
mep said:
I don't think this was a fair comparison because your LP is mono and you are playing it back through a stereo cartridge. And like you surmised based on your table and cartridge, you may have brought a plastic spoon to a knife fight. A much more fair comparison would be a stereo LP with great sonics compared to it's digital brother via the Nyquist. At least you would have a fighting chance given your table and cartridge. You are basically comparing a $6k table/cartridge combo against an $18k DAC. That's a 3x price differential. However, if your cartridge, arm, and table are setup correctly, you should have a good shot at a fair fight if you are playing a modern stereo LP that you know sounds really good. If you had a table, arm, and cartridge that had a combined value of $18k, we might be talking a whole other story. You still have a shot though.
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Looks a bit like you might not have read the posting very carefully: “This test was done with material originally recorded in the mid 50’s, maybe the result would have been different with a more modern recording. Need to do that as well, maybe against MQA.”

As said, I will do another test with other material. The LP I used sounds pretty good, so there was no issue with that. And as it was recorded in mono that also affects both the vinyl reissue and the digital version.
 
Playback of a 1955 mono recording using a modern stereo cartridge is different than playing back the same recording via digital. Please let us know when you choose a great stereo recording to make your comparison with.
 
mep said:
Playback of a 1955 mono recording using a modern stereo cartridge is different than playing back the same recording via digital. Please let us know when you choose a great stereo recording to make your comparison with.
Click to expand...

Are you adressing yourself in pluralis majestatis now?

Last time I checked, I do not have any formal reporting obligations towards you. Read the thread if you like, leave it if you don’t.


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