SOLD - Berkeley Audio Design alpha USB

Thanks for stopping by! Offering this excellent Berkeley Alpha USB - AES/SPDIF converter. I have this unit available and only selling because I'm downsizing to an internal DAC integrated  It is hands down the best USB converter that i have had heard. It's been in my system for a couple years and used with a Berkeley Alpha 2 DAC that will be listed soon here. I purchased both units from Allen Goodwin at Goodwins High End audio in Massachusetts. Read about this  Alpha USB here:   http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/alpha-usb

A remarkable product and highly recommended any application where a USB output is connected to a DAC (whether or not the DAC is a Berkeley). The Berkeley Alpha USB isolates source noise from the DAC and re-clocks using very high-quality clocks to optimize performance.  

The Alpha USB is an asynchronous High-Speed USB-to-digital audio interface that provides the highest possible audio quality from computer audio sources. The Alpha USB features a High-Speed USB 2.0 input data connection and selectable audio output signal type – either coaxial SPDIF using a BNC connector or balanced AES using an XLR connector. Sampling rates up to 192 kHz and word lengths up to 24 bit are supported.

Great care has been taken in the design of the Alpha USB to isolate the noisy computer/USB environment from the digital audio output. The USB receiver and processing are powered by the computer, while the output master clocks and line drivers are powered by a separate linear power supply.

Two key factors account for the amazing audio performance of the Alpha USB: the unprecedented electrical isolation between USB input and audio output and the ultra-low noise/low jitter performance of the custom audio output master clocks.

The Alpha USB is designed to work with both Apple Macintosh and Windows PC computers and also works with some versions of Linux. Apple Macintosh computers using Snow Leopard or later operating systems have a High-Speed USB Audio Driver that interfaces directly with the Alpha USB. It is not necessary to install a special driver. For optimum audio quality, use a high-resolution music server software such as Pure Music® is highly recommended.

“The Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB is a breakthrough product that not only overcomes the limitations of the USB interface, but provides a state-of-the-art method of getting audio out of a computer.”

—Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound, Issue 214

“After four months using the Alpha USB, in combination with the Alpha DAC Series 2, I'm continually astonished by its level of performance. In fact, the Alpha USB is so good I've yet to hear a better digital interface. Period.”

—Chris Connaker, The Computer Audiophile, March 2012

Microsoft Windows PC’s require the included Alpha USB Windows driver which works with Windows XP, Vista and 7. A  6’ power cord is included with the Alpha USB. A USB cable and instruction manual and original box are not included.

Email me with any questions. Shipping to lower 48 states is included with purchase