Alpha USB

About the Alpha USB

The Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB Reference Series is a state-of-the-art digital audio interface that converts USB audio signals into high-quality digital outputs with minimal noise and jitter. It features an asynchronous USB 2.0 High Speed Audio input optimized for modern low latency drivers and offers switch selectable outputs: coaxial SPDIF on a 75Ω BNC connector or balanced AES/EBU on an XLR connector. The USB input is galvanically, capacitively, and inductively isolated from the digital audio output, which is reclocked using proprietary ultra-low phase noise clock technology derived from the Alpha DAC Reference Series 3P. This design dramatically reduces time and frequency domain noise, resulting in improved audio realism. The unit is powered by a separate isolated linear power supply for the output stage, while the USB input side is powered by the computer. It supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz and word lengths up to 24-bit, and is compatible with Linux, Apple Macintosh, and Windows PC operating systems. The enclosure is designed for continuous operation with low power consumption (3W) and includes vibration isolation and increased enclosure mass for enhanced performance. The Alpha USB Reference Series is highly regarded for its ability to isolate noisy USB signals and provide a clean, jitter-free digital audio output, making it ideal for audiophiles using computer-based music servers or streamers.