weiss /Berkeley DAC

Roypan. U tried both and prefer BADA. What connection did you used for comparison?Just wondering how good is it compare to standard DAC not use with music server and in the same price range

If you use a preamp and don't need the built-in volume control, and if you can live without HDCD decoding, I recommend you listen to the Bryston BDA-1. I haven't done a head to head comparison, but I'm fairly confident the Bryston is in the same ballpark for 40% the price. The BADA has, in my two auditions, a fairly strong sonic "character," which the Bryston does not (or has less of, at any rate).

looks like not many people paired either DAC with a conventional transport

Roypan,

The Weiss after the firmware upgrade to V2-0-1-2 is another machine, I had got mine with V2-0-1-0 and after upgrading it there was a HUGE difference across the spectrum!!
I hope when you auditioned it, it was updated!

Best Regards,

Satyam Bachani.

Drubin,

May I ask what "sonic character" did you hear on BADA? The 40% saving is substantial!
Does the Bryston has any drawbacks compared to the BADA?
what music and what system did you use in your audition?

I think your answers to these question will help the original poster and me understand the basis of your comparison as none of us could audition them.

Thanks