kyushuu

angelo. how are you ripping your sacd? I've heard PS3 is a painful way to do it.

Might have found a perfect solution to my issue. If I simply trade in my Naim NDX for an Lumin streamer, which also has an internal DSD DAC. So, when I'm playing DSD files, I'll use the internal DAC. But for normal PCM files, I'll output to the Berkerley as the Naim did before. The CDP player will also continue to output to the Berkerley in the mean time. A relatively low cost solution?

I also checked out the new DCS Debussy DAC specs. Seems like they do not support AES/BNC 192 input. Hence, limiting to CAS via USB only on 192 and beyond. That rules out DCS with most audiophile streamers?

had an contact with Naim. Seems like they have little to no plans to make their streamers or DACs DSD compatible anytime soon.

yes. one option is to keep the Berkerley for CD and PCM playback. Then get a setup only for DSD playback. thought that's quite an costly exercise, it's an option also.

yes. there are many DSD DACs on the market nowadays. I guess what I fear is not getting the same level of quality for PCM which I've been enjoying from the Berkerley. That would be a major downer ! Second issue at the moment is my Naim NDX doesn't cater for DSD files, and according to Naim, won't be anytime soon neither ! Anyone heard of good quality streamers for NAS that's catering for DSD files? I've seen many posts for DSD DACs, but not streamers.

well like what Junker said above. it should not be an SACD vs HDDVD type of race.. there's nothing wrong with me enjoying the best of PCM with an added flexibility of DSD in one DAC. Hence, I see little argument on how many DSD files I'll enjoy. It should be having the cake and eating it idea?

my exact preference would be for Berkerley to allow me to upgrade hardware on the Alpha DAC 1 to DSD capability. That way, I could still maintain what I love with the flexibility of new formats. But life seldom are so easy !

thanks everyone for the great advice. Yes, I have been in love with the Berkerley for so long, that perhaps it was just hearing peoples word of how much greater DSD is and could be. But seriously, I am very happy with my DAC at the moment. The only DAC I've ever heard that I would sell the Berkerley for are the DCS systems, but the 4 pieces are 10 times the price ! One reason I was on the urge of switching really came from the upgrading from CD to HI-res files. The new joy it brought to my audiophile life has been amazing. Hence, I would have thought the same elevation would come from upgrading towards DSD or the "next" stage of Nirvana !

I bought my Berkerley Audio Alpha DAC 1 based on recommendation from this website and the hi hands which gave me musical nirvana for the last few years. But now, Berkerley not only refused to take up the DSD route, but they won't even allow me to upgrade my DAC 1 any higher towards improvement. I was wondering if the advise now is to sell my DAC 1 and move on to the DSD camp? If so, what is out there that's better than the Berkerley (which I loved so much) ? PS: running both MBL 1531 CDP and Naim NDX through the DAC, and onto ARC Ref 3 then MBL 8011M monoblocks before MBL 116F floorstanders. Love any kind of music, but love hi-res !