Behind the inconspicuous “plus sign” in the name of the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ DAC lies a significant reworking of the previous version of the device, which was simply called Brooklyn DAC. First of all, the changes concern the DAC chip, instead of the Saber ES9018K2M there is now an ES9028Pro, there are also less significant differences, in terms of power supply, for example. ES9028Pro is a DAC from the new Saber family, which takes into account and corrects some of the shortcomings of the previous model that appear in typical implementations of this chip.
The Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ is a compact device with a custom front panel design in the style of the older Mytek Manhattan DAC II DAC . In the upper left corner, many thin holes are illuminated to form the Mytek logo. It feels like the logo is glowing from within through the panel. It looks very impressive. The color of the logo and the intensity of the glow can be changed. When the device is turned off, the holes on the uneven panel are practically invisible. An excellent design move, unexpected for a manufacturer of professional equipment.
All information in the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ is displayed on a dual OLED display, the required modes are selected with four buttons, two on either side of the screens, mode changes are made with an “endless” knob with clicks. The output level can be changed digitally and analoguely, separately on the preamp outputs and on the headphone amplifier. You can select the line output mode (that is, the device will operate as a pure DAC), while volume control on the headphones will be preserved. You can switch between modes either manually or automatically; you can also select simultaneous output of the signal to headphones and to a linear/regulated output.
There is a screensaver mode for the screen, which displays the signal depth (in numbers and graphically in the form of a kind of scale) and the output level (in the same style). The device is well equipped: there is even a separate analog input, as well as a clock input, plus a separate input for a 12V power supply, which can be used instead of the built-in one. The DAC supports the MQA option – decoding a studio-quality stream through streaming services. A description of the operating principles of MQA is easily available on the Internet. Overall, the device left a very pleasant impression. You can easily understand its functions, the controls are convenient, and the appearance is very atypical for a studio device.
Today, with new versions of the ESS Saber chip, there is no longer any point in talking about the characteristic shortcomings of the sound of the previous generation; ESS has done a lot of work, as a result of which the specific implementation of the device on their chips comes first, and it has become almost impossible to distinguish Saber by ear. As in the sound of the older model, there are no shortcomings of the previous generation Saber. The device sounds coherent, fluid, I would even say melodious, shows aftersounds well, the picture is solid, instruments and parts are interconnected, and all performers play in a single space.
Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ is very sensitive to the power cable and requires some work in this regard. This doesn’t mean the cable has to be expensive, I liked the sound best with my DH Labs Power+ cable, although it’s not the only cable I’ve tried listening with other than the stock one. Brooklyn DAC+ has good timbral resolution and high overall detail, but in no way to the detriment of the integrity of the presentation; I would say that the integrity and continuity of the musical picture is one of the characteristic features that immediately catches the eye upon first listening.
Characteristics of Mytek Brooklyn DAC+
Device type DAC, preamplifier, headphone amplifier Headphone
power 6 W
Output impedance 50 Ohm
Dynamic range, dB 130
Audio DAC Saber 9028 Pro 32-bit/384 kHz
Supported formats PCM up to 192 kHz, MQA, DSD up to 256, DXD, native DSD, DSD64 DOP
Phono stage MM/MS type
Remote control Yes
Inputs
Coaxial 1 x AES/EBU, 2 x S/PDIF (RCA/LR DSD), 1 x BNC (Wordclock)
Optical 1 x Toslink
USB 1 x USB2 Class2
Analog audio 1 x RCA
Others 1 x 12VDC
Outputs
Coaxial 1 x BNC (Wordclock)
Analog audio 1 x RCA, 1 x XLR
Headphones 2 x 6.3 mm
Dimensions, mm 216 x 216 x 44
Weight, kg 2
