Description: 16-bit, R-2R, non-oversampling digital-to-analog converter. Inputs: asynchronous USB, coax S/PDIF (RCA). Outputs: single-ended (RCA). Plays files of resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz. Hybrid (tubed and solid-state) power supply with choke input filter, two transformers, high-inductance smoothing choke, tube rectifier. Tube complement: one EZ80.
Dimensions: 8.9" (226mm) W by 3.1" (78mm) H by 6.8" (173mm) D. Weight: 6.6 lb (3kg).
Finish: Black copper, aluminum faceplate.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 0218101.
Price: $1850 as reviewed;…
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Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Benchmark DAC3 HGC, HoloAudio Spring "Kitsuné Tuned Edition" Level 3, Mytek Brooklyn, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil (with Analog 2 & Gen 5 USB upgrades) DACs; Integra DPS-7.2 DVD-A player (as transport); iFi iGalvanic3 USB insulator; Mac mini computer running Audirvana + 3.2.
Preamplifier: Pass Laboratories HPA-1.
Power Amplifier: Pass Laboratories XA25.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth Monitor 30.2 & P3ESR.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Cinnamon (USB), iFi Mercury (USB), Kimber Kable D 60 Data Flex Studio (coaxial). Interconnect:…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the BorderPatrol DAC SE with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It", using both the Audio Precision's S/PDIF outputs and USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro running on battery power with Pure Music 3.0 playing WAV and AIFF test-tone files. Apple's USB Prober utility identified the DAC SE as "USB2.0 High-Speed True HD Audio\000" from "C-MEDIA Inc.\000," its serial number as "0 (none)," and confirmed that its USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode.
BorderPatrol specifies the DAC SE as…
Designed in New York City, manufactured in Poland, and barely bigger than a thick paperback, the Brooklyn Amp ($2495) is Mytek's first power amplifier. Like all of their products, it's sleek to behold, with a powerful look that suggests the company's pedigree: in addition to high-end consumer electronics, Mytek makes gear for the pro-audio market, where exceptional build quality and space-saving design are the norm.
Consistent with that last characteristic is the Brooklyn Amp's output architecture: it operates in class-D, a technology that remains controversial. In my first review for…
"Is it 'hot' or 'warm'?" Jurewicz asked via e-mail. "The main thing is [these are] high density-power electronics packed very tight. Think about an iPhone doing a lot of processing. It gets warm because it is so tight. The efficiency of the AMP is 88%, which means that at full power, 2 by 300 watts, it will dissipate up to 60 watts of heat, which will make it quite warm. So the heat dissipation is typical for class-D, it's just a densely packed amplifier. If you take the Brooklyn DAC off the Amp it will not be that warm, as the ventilation will improve." I did just that—and Jurewicz was…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Dual-mono stereo amplifier; biamped or bridged operation available, user-selectable. Inputs: XLR x2, RCA x2. Output power in dual-mono/stereo and bi-amp modes (1kHz, 1% THD+N): 250Wpc into 8 ohms (24dBW), at 300Wpc into 4 ohms (21.7dBW), and at 400Wpc into 2 ohms (20dBW). Output power in bridged mode (1kHz, 1% THD+N): 600W into 8 ohms (24.7dBW). Maximum peak output current: 35A. Frequency response: 10Hz–30kHz, +0/–3dB. Gain: 23 or 29dB, selectable. Input impedance: 10k ohms. Output impedance: 0.025 ohm. THD+N (1kHz at 1W): 0.002%. THD+N (typical):…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Kuzma Stabi S turntable & Stogi S tonearm, Thorens TD 124 turntable & Jelco TS-350S tonearm; Denon DL-103, Ortofon Quintet Bronze cartridges.
Digital Sources: Apple MacBook computer running Audirvana Plus; Halide DAC HD, PS Audio NuWave DACs; LG BD550 Blu-ray player; Western Digital T2 Mirror Drives (2).
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 A23 moving-coil step-up transformer, Heed Audio Quasar phono stage, Shindo Laboratory Allegro preamplifier.
Power Amplifier: Shindo Laboratory Haut-Brion.
Integrated Amplifier: Heed…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured Mytek's Brooklyn Amp using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). Before I test a class-AB amplifier, I usually precondition it with both channels driving a 1kHz tone at one-third power into 8 ohms for an hour. As the Brooklyn Amp has class-D output modules, such preconditioning is irrelevant. However, the Mytek did get warm in use: after an hour or so, the temperature of the top panel was 107.4°F (41.9°C). As class-D amplifiers produce RF noise that could drive my analyzer's input circuitry into slew-rate limiting,…
Manufacturer's Comment
Editor: Great writing by Herb Reichert: His left brain/right brain/heart trilemma is fascinating stuff.
Herb's review is the sixth very complimentary review of the BorderPatrol DAC, and all the reviewers have emphasized its relaxed, natural quality. Four reviewers, including Stereophile's and C-NET's Steve Guttenberg, have purchased the DAC.
Despite inferior measurements, there is a good argument to be made that R-2R NOS DACs are more accurate than delta-sigma DACs, which use upsampling and massive error correction to achieve good measured…
The Cable Company's 23rd annual "Summer of Hunger" CARE campaign, which extends through August 31, donates up to 100% of purchase cost directly to the CARE. Made possible by agreements between The Cable Company (1-800-FATWYRE) and 70 of its cable, audio, and headphone brands, the charitable program expects to donate up to $300,000 to CARE by the end of the month.
"We picked CARE because they're incredibly efficient for a large charity—they have only 10% overhead—and are well known among audiophiles," says Robert Stein, founder of The Cable Company. "They've also become known as one of the…