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Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ D-A Converter, Headphone Amp & Preamp Hugh Robjohns
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few months ago I reviewed Mytek’s latest D-A converter, the Liberty DAC, which impressed me with its elegance and quality (see SOS August 2018: https://sosm.ag/ mytek-liberty-dac). So when the company asked if I’d like to try out the next model up in their range, I was only too pleased to.
Design & Construction Although looking virtually identical to the original Brooklyn DAC, the new Brooklyn DAC+ model has been completely redesigned, and features the latest D-A converter hardware with selectable reconstruction filtering options, improved clocking, restyled analogue circuitry, and a new, powerful headphone amplifier. Unusually, the unit offers two remote volume control options, using either analogue or digital 1dB-per-step attenuators (there’s also an attenuator bypass mode). The unit can also be used with balanced headphones via a special adaptor cable. Other highlights include a certified hardware MQA decoder, the ability to accept DSD audio (in the DOP format), a configurable analogue preamp section, which can accept the output from a turntable pickup cartridge if desired, and the ability to be remotely controlled either via the supplied Apple aluminium remote control, or any RC5-compatible universal remote. Physically, the Brooklyn DAC+ is a little
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This D‑A converter boasts a range of useful features — as well as impressive performance. larger than the Liberty, its case complying with the 1U, half-rack format. Powering is via a built-in universal mains supply with a standard IEC connector (accepting 100-240 Volts AC), but there’s also a 5.5mm coaxial socket which accepts an external 12V DC supply for portable applications (or for those who prefer battery power). Like the Liberty, the Brooklyn DAC+ enjoys comprehensive digital audio connectivity, with two coaxial S/PDIF inputs (doubling-up as separate left/ right SDIF inputs for a hardware DSD source), optical S/PDIF (Toslink), AES3, and USB 2.0. There’s also word-clock (in and out) on BNC connectors to allow synchronisation in multi-channel applications. All the standard PCM formats can be accommodated up to 32-bit/384kHz, plus the three most common DSD formats (DSD64, 128, and 256). As mentioned above, it also supports the MQA ‘master quality’ file format (see SOS August 2016 for more information: https://sosm.ag/ mqa-format). For computer-sourced and streaming files over USB 2.0, Mytek have developed a low-latency interface with ASIO and WASAPI drivers for Windows, and Audio Class-2 compliance for Mac OS X and Linux. Drivers and a bespoke control app can be downloaded from Mytek’s web site.
December 2018 / w w w . s o u n d o n s o u n d . c o m
The analogue outputs are provided on both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA phono connectors at the rear, the latter being 6dB lower in level. The two quarter-inch headphone sockets at the front can be used simultaneously and these are arranged to have opposite
Mytek Brookly DAC+ €2195 pros • Mastering-quality D-A conversion with PCM, DSD, and MQA capability. • Powerful headphone amplifier with balanced drive facility. • Elegant configuration menu system, controllable via a software app. • Preamp facility with an analogue input configurable for line, MM or MC formats. • Supplied with an Apple remote, but also usable with standard RC5 remotes.
cons • More expensive than some other very high-quality converters.
summary The Brooklyn DAC+ is a versatile and very capable D-A converter. It accommodates all of the standard PCM and DSD formats as well as MQA files, and includes flexible analogue and digital preamp facilities, including an RIAA input mode, as well as USB connectivity. In addition, its very powerful headphone amplifier is capable of driving balanced headphones.