NDS vs Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC

well, how does the Berkeley DAC compare to the Hugo you already have ?

analogmusic posted:

well, how does the Berkeley DAC compare to the Hugo you already have ?

I don't know since my Hugo died about 9 months ago... I really need to send it in for a new battery....

oops sorry to hear about that.

hope it gets repaired soon.

Hi Kevin,

When customers ask me these sorts of questions, no matter how logical, I often find that the best way I (or we, more broadly as dealers) can help someone is not just to answer their questions, but to help them ask better questions.      The quality of sound of these fine products is by no means the only way to differentiate between them.     An NDS gives you a full streaming experience, which no pure DAC can, but if you are comfortable using your NDX as the streaming player and just want to concentrate on a DAC, the performance jump between one DAC and another may well be the most fruitful area for you to investigate.    

An NDS is one of the best full on streamers on the market, but obviously not the only one.     I would encourage you to give thought to how you use, or plan to use, streaming functions.    For some listeners, streaming really centers on local playback of a carefully ripped CD collection for high quality local playback.     For others, the streaming services such as Tidal, Spotify, etc. are the primary resources that user group is planning to use.    In my mind, these two functions ideally would not have the same names as they introduce somewhat different needs in most homes.     The key group of questions you have to be clear about is what role do CD recordings play in your library?

Do you want MQA and how you feel about the inclusion of DSD capabilities?    Now whether MQA or DSD streaming is important to you is something only you can answer, but it is a good question to consider.

Do you already own a Naim power supply for your NDX which you don't list in your profile?     That would make the investment needed to add an NDS very meaningfully less costly than if you would have to add either an XPS DR or 555 DR PS to the check out list?      Have you considered similar investments at other stages of your system, such as better amplification or better speakers?    What is your long term goal for your system?

How do you feel about having an all Naim system for performance, ease of use, or on visual terms?    Is this a goal for you?

Good luck in your search,

Bruce

Moderated Post:  In order to keep within forum rules for Trade members I have made some edits to this post.

Kevin Richardson posted:

I've been fortunate to have the new Berkeley Reference DAC for the past 10 days. It really is a step up from my plain ol' Berkeley Alpha. 

I am hoping someone on the forum has had direct experience with this DAC and NDS. I really have 0 chance to hear a NDS without committing to buying before I try....

Thanks.

from what i read on different reviews, your dac is among the best available, one of the most "analog "sounding.  There is a review by some specialists comparing this dac to chord dave and others....Martin Colloms preferred the nds for its prat...Some prefer the dave and other find this dac the best of the competition.

the review is on hificritic.  very well done, with arguments, differences in sound, on high end system.  The hugo is definitely not in this league, but more msb, dcs, emm labs, chord dave.

The tiring return of the hugo.....