I thought I would provide my first week’s impressions as a new owner of Bricasti Design’s M19 SACD transport and M21 DAC. Let me initially talk about the M19 by itself. I connected it via a Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable to my Theta Digital Casablanca V, which incorporates Theta Digital’s highly-regarded DAC cards; their $5K "Extreme III" card handles the left and right channels. From the very start, I was astonished. Frankly, I bought the M19 just to be able to send the DSD layer of SACDs to the M21 via Bricasti’s proprietary I2S connection. That said, I really did not have any serious expectations for improved CD-based sound. Was I ever surprised! The clarity was dramatically better. I can only describe my reaction as being akin to opening the door to 38F mountain air -- the immediate sensation of crisp and clear. I am still amazed, and I must contribute this effect to the superior mechanics/electronics/optoelectronics of the M19 compared to my prior two excellent transports - a Wadia 8 for CDs and a Theta Digital Compli for SACDs. Next, I streamed some tracks using the M21 (and its integrated network card). Instantly, I detected better detail, a wider soundstage, and much more depth than my prior Lumin T2 had delivered. These same effects were obvious when listening to various CDs and (to a lesser extent) SACDs.
This combination of M19 and M21 was, for me, very costly; together, the total MSRP was $26,500. Nonetheless, again -- for me, buying them was worth it. They are an "end game" purchase, particularly since I am now 78 (but, somehow, still with pretty good hearing). Putting together a really good audio system, especially without easy access to audio equipment dealers requires a lot of diligence and some luck; I have been very lucky because my new digital system was the missing link, and, with it, the sound in my dedicated listening room is now, well, fabulous.
