Berkeley Audio Alpha DAC Series 3 with MQA

Description

MY TAKE: Another winner from Berkeley Audio! - Galen Carol

The Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 3 - A Breakthrough in Audio Quality and Value

Product Highlights

The Alpha DAC Series 3 uses advanced technology from the award winning Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 to provide sonic excellence never before possible at anywhere close to the price of the Alpha DAC Series 3.
 

Compare the Alpha DAC Series 3 with an Alpha USB noise isolation interface to any DAC available at any price and you will be amazed by their audio quality.
 

The Alpha DAC Series 3 replaces the Alpha DAC Series 2. However its audio quality and technology are much closer to the Alpha DAC Reference Series 3. The Alpha DAC Series 3 includes MQA Rendering capability.

Excellent PCM audio quality from 32kHz to 192kHz

Excellent MQA Rendering quality to beyond 384kHz

Ultra-low phase noise conversion clocking

Outputs can connect directly to power amplifiers

All metal Series 3 IR Remote Control

"The Alpha DAC Series 3 is a terrific bargain and an unqualified triumph." - Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound

REVIEWS:

The Absolute Sound: "With the brand-new Alpha Series 3, Berkeley Audio Design has brought near-reference-level performance to a significantly lower price. In fact, you can think of the Alpha Series 3 as a distillation of the $25,000 Reference in a less expensive implementation. By keeping some of the essential elements of the Reference (including the state-of-the-art clocking circuitry) and forgoing the expensive chassis machined from a solid block of aluminum, the price of entry to Berkeley’s unique technologies is substantially reduced.

"The Alpha DAC exhibits the characteristic Berkeley DNA—superb resolution of low-level detail, three-dimensional soundstaging with the ability to hear very fine timbral and spatial information at the back of the hall, dense tone color, and outstanding clarity that allows you to hear individual instruments within the whole. With a Reference 3 DAC and the new Alpha in my rack for comparison, I found that the Alpha doesn’t have quite the last measure of world-class performance, but it comes closer than you’d expect for less than half the price. I could easily live with the Alpha Series 3 and never look back. The Alpha DAC Series 3 is a terrific bargain and an unqualified triumph." - Robert Harley

Full Review

Controls & Indicators

Input selects AES, SPDIF1, SPDIF2 or Toslink inputs

Lock LED indicates input signal lock

HDCD LED indicates HDCD code detected

Phase sets absolute phase

Invert LED indicates absolute phase inverted

3 digit LED display of Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type

± controls set attenuation level and select Filter type

Mode selects Stereo/L/R attenuation, Sampling Rate and Filter type display modes

Dim selects multiple display brightness levels

Specifications

Input sampling rate: 32kHz to 192kHz

Input word length: 24-bit

Ultra-low phase noise Precision Clocking at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz and 192kHz sampling rates ± 100 ppm

Two channel analog stereo outputs: XLR balanced with pin 2 positive and RCA unbalanced

Digital Inputs: AES - XLR, 110Ω; SPDIF1 - BNC, 75Ω; SPDIF2 - BNC, 75Ω; TOSLINK - Toslink optical connector

MQA rendering automatically detects MQA Core decoded signals and performs MQA rendering to 384kHz and above

HDCD decoding detects 16-bit flag at 44.1kHz or 24-bit flag at all sampling rates

Multiple digital filter options

Balanced analog output level: +18dBu (6.15Vrms) maximum, +12dBu (3.1Vrms) or lower recommended

Unbalanced analog output level: 3.25Vrms maximum, 2Vrms or lower recommended

Digital volume & balance control: 0.1dB/step with .05dB/step L/R gain trim, 60dB range

Frequency response at ≥ 88.2kHz sampling rates: ± 0.1dB from < 0.1Hz to 35 kHz, - 3dB at 59kHz for 176.4kHz and 192kHz sampling rates

Distortion at recommended levels: all products ≤ -120dBFS

THD+N at maximum level: < -110dBFS

Firmware is upgradeable through signal inputs

Enclosure dimensions: 2.3”H X 16.7”W x 10.6”D

Weight: 11.6 lbs.

Mains power: 100/120/240VAC, 50/60Hz

Power consumption: 25W

Price $10995