Audiophilepure

https://pt.audio/2025/06/13/mytek-brooklyn-bridge-ii-dac-review/#google_vignette

Discussing all the functionality and features of the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge II seems like a Herculean task, but I will do my best. Mytek summarizes it as “an all in-one Roon Core Streamer + excellent DSD/MQA DAC+ Analog (w/Phono) and Digital Preamp and a high-end headphone amplifier.” It uses Roon for all of its streaming capabilities, but there’s an independent Mytek OS, based on Intel Ubuntu Linux, that runs all of the other functions. Once you’ve subscribed to Roon and downloaded the Mytek Control app, you can access the BB2 through any wi-fi device such as a smart phone or tablet, and all that functionality is available on the touch screen on the front panel of the unit itself.

The built-in Roon Core handles Tidal, Qobuz and local library in any format up to PCM 384kHz, DSD256 and MQA. The preamplifier’s analog section includes one set of RCA inputs and an MM phono section, and the digital section allows USB2 class 2, SPDIF and optical connections. There’s an additional Roon ready input so you can use another streamer if you desire. Bluetooth 5 is also included for quick connection to a number of wireless sources for “casual listening.” If that’s not enough for you, the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge II is designed to accommodate any number of future upgrades–alternative players, software and more.

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/vera-fi-audio-vanguard-scout-speakers-vanguard-caldera-12-subwoofer

There’s simply no way a $400 subwoofer should be able to incorporate something like that, yet there it is. The amp is housed in its own chamber, physically isolated from the driver. That minimizes the potential for the backwave from the driver to cause long-term issues with the amp due to vibrations. It’s certainly an unusual find in this price class. There is a single horizontal cabinet brace, along with damping material on the top and both side walls. The front baffle measures about 1.5″ thick, the rest of the cabinet appears to be 3/4″ of an inch. There’s not much in this paragraph that you can say about most other budget subwoofers; generally speaking they aren’t able to incorporate features like these.

During my time with the Caldera I found the amp somewhat sensitive to certain appliances. Despite the subwoofer being plugged into a different electric circuit, whenever my microwave was on, or the refrigerator’s compressor kicked in, the sub produced a hum. It had a similar sound to a ground loop, but I don’t have that issue in my house. I did hear a slight hum in general everyday use, it was just more pronounced when certain appliances were active.