Digital Processor Reviews

Brinkmann Audio Nyquist D/A processor Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Streaming digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier with tubed output stage. Tube complement: four Telefunken PCF803 (NOS, two per channel). Digital inputs: AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF (RCA), optical (TosLink), Ethernet (RJ45), USB Type B (high-resolution audio). Analog outputs: balanced (XLR), single-ended (RCA). Formats supported: MQA and PCM up to 384kHz (DXD), DSD64 and DSD128 via DoP (DSD over PCM), DSD256 natively. Frequency response: N/A. THD, I/M: <0.01%. Signal/noise: >100dBA. Channel separation: N/S. Maximum output voltage: ±12V (balanced). Analog output impedance: 10 ohms, balanced.
Dimensions: Nyquist: 16.5" (420mm) W by 3.75" (95mm) H by 12.2" (310mm) D. Weight: 26.5 lbs (12kg). Power supply: 4.75" (120mm) W by 3.2" (80mm) H by 6.3" (160mm) D. Weight: 7.1 lbs (3.2kg). Granite base: 26.5 lbs (12kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: 7N009A.
Price: $18,000. Approximate number of dealers: Not disclosed. Warranty: 3 years, parts & labor (not including shipping to and from factory).
Manufacturer: Brinkmann Audio GmbH, Im Himmelreich 13, D-88147 Achberg, Germany. Tel: (49) (0)8380-98115. Fax: (49) 8380-981233. Web: brinkmann-audio.com. US distributor: Brinkmann USA. Web: www.brinkmann-usa.com.

COMPANY INFO
Brinkmann Audio GmbH
US distributor: Brinkmann USA
www.brinkmann-usa.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
AJ's picture
Submitted by AJ on July 26, 2017 - 6:16am

So it turns out after a couple decades, the the missing ingredients that made unmusical digital so cold, harsh and sterile were:
Low frequency distortion and random noise added at playback and then a nice little dose of High frequency anharmonic aliasing distortion "fold"/embedded into the audio band during the encoding stage.
Cool ;-).

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on July 26, 2017 - 2:42pm

... an Explorer2 DAC from Meridian can perform MQA decoding.
For that tube-y "analog" sound quality, run the output of the DAC through a iFi Micro iTube2 - which is available for under $400.
What, then, does one get for the extra $17K+.

rwwear's picture
Submitted by rwwear on July 26, 2017 - 6:01pm

With no HDMI input a high resolution DAC is pretty useless. How can you use it for Blu-ray audio or SACD/DVDA?

7ryder's picture
Submitted by 7ryder on July 26, 2017 - 7:07pm

I think you answered your own question - you don't.

rwwear's picture
Submitted by rwwear on July 26, 2017 - 9:08pm

Never ask a question you don't already know the answer to.

It does seem like a lot of over engineering for little gain.

doak's picture
Submitted by doak on July 27, 2017 - 6:33am

Why would one want to feed this with a disk player??

rwwear's picture
Submitted by rwwear on July 27, 2017 - 7:01am

Why even build such a device if only to use with streaming or computer audio? The best audio is still from high resolution discs like Blu-ray audio or SACD/DVDA. DVDA and Blu-ray are on the rise for reissues of classic and modern music. There's lots of music being reissued on DVDA and Blu-ray.
Most of everything I purchase goes directly to the computer using JRiver and streamed throughout the house. Some are high res downloads. It sounds great but for high resolution audio, there's better.

navr's picture
Submitted by navr on June 3, 2020 - 9:39am

Also, did you listen Mk2?

Heye's picture
Submitted by Heye on July 30, 2017 - 8:58am

Last week I had the Nyquist for 4 days at my home to see if I can get more out of my valued CD collection (I don't care for highrez cause I can't hear much difference - maybe my ears are too dull for this stuff...). Well, Miles horn was actually smoother compared to my Eera Integral CD-player but Jacquelines cello was much less full-bodied. And for most CDs the difference was very small and one couldn't really tell which one was actually better. So I invested my good money rather in a Kondo preamp - this was a real revelation!!!

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