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Bricasti M1 DAC vs PS Audio Direct Stream DAC

I own a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC that I like a lot but heard my friends system with the Bricasti M1 and I am strongly thinking of changing my DAC and would love your feedback from other members that have heard either or both. I know they are both great but really thinking of changing my Dac from PS Audio Direct Stream to the Bricasti M1 DAC. I use a HP Desk top computer as source with Jplay and JRiver Media 19 and the outstanding Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND Reference USB Cable. The rest of my system is below. I listen to Classic Rock, jazz, vocal, some modern music and the usual audiophile stuff.

Thanks

My system for reference.

Ascendo C-8 Renaissance Speakers (Germany) Monitor
Purist Audio Design Corvus Praesto Revision 2.5m Bi-Wire Speaker cable
Cardas Clear Interconnect 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Audio Research REFERENCE 1 w/Rhodium IEC/NOS Tubes Tube preamp
Decware ZSTAGE External Triode Output StageTelefunken ECC801S
PS Audio Direct Stream DSD DAC w/ Bridge DA converter
Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND Reference USB Cable
PS Audio PerfectWave PowerBase Vibration Cancelation/AC Condtioner
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono's 140 Watts Tung-Sol KT120's amps
PS Audio PowerPlant Premier AC Regenerator
BMI Shark Pure Jeweler Grade Platinum AC Power Cable
Sablon Audio Petite Corona 2.0M AC Power Cable
Mad Scientist PC-NEO with Power Purifier AC Power Cable
JPS Labs The Power AC+ 2M AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series SE T1 AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series T1 AC Power Cable
PS Audio Noise Harvester (5) Converts noise to light
OYAIDE RI Beryllium Power Outlets (2)
Hubbell Outlet 5362/5262 Deep Cryo Process
Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula Industrial Surge/Spike Protection
JPLAY v5.2 hi-end audio player turns PC into a digital transport.
JRiver Media Center 19 Music Software
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
bpwalsh
1,201 posts
 
A customer with a DS recently borrowed the Bricasti M1 and emailed me almost immediately upon hooking it up, shortly afterward deciding he wants an M1.

I suspect upsampling everything to high rate DSD and then downsampling, using filters you have to make, PCM sources such as 96 kHz may be very compromised.

Dealer disclosure.
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Hi Spencer, Not sure I can highjack my own thread but I get your point.

I threw it out there on here because I listed my entire system earlier and have spoke about my amps as well and a bunch of the guys/gals that have provided input to this thread have opinion's I really value. In the event any of them knew anything about the Lamm amps I thought to take a shot in the dark here rather than starting a new thread in the amps section where I may not have gotten to them but I agree that I should just keep it to the DACS so my bad there...

That said with the 2 DACs at hand the DS and the M1 there is no long session needed imo.

I went into that in detail earlier on so no need to beat a dead horse on that point.

The DSD is a fantastic DAC and IMO the absolute best in its price range and it is much better than many more expensive ones as well but the M1 is lot more money. All that extra money gives the designer a distinct advantage and he doesn't have to deal with the bean counters nipping at the parts bin like the less expensive ones do.

The M1 is the best digital I have ever heard and once broken in I found it breath taking.

I love this quote which sums up how I feel:

Once I hit play, those cocky words "game over" did do a full frontal assault number quite without volition. When you're in the presence of better than you're used to by a significant enough margin, it takes no time at all to recognize it.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Fsmithjack, Okay, understood & fair enough. So to your question "Was just wondering if a tube lover would like these amps..."

Yes! Having previously owned BAT VK150SEs, Atmasphere MA1s, Dehavilland Aries 845s, Berning ZH270, VTL ST80 and probably some other that is slipping my mind, the Lamm hybrids have plenty of appeal to tube lovers.

Benefits include the expected impact on dynamics and low end control and the ability to drive almost any speaker (claimed down to 1ohm load although I never tried that!). However most noticeable and commented on by guests is realistic rendering of drums, something that isn't particularly high on my priority list, but with these amps adds an uncanny rendering that is always a pleasant surprise.

Above comments based on use in my posted system including driving Nola Viper Reference IIIs. Also worth noting using Amperex Bugle Boys 6922s and have also enjoyed Brimars & Tungsrams. Suspect Tungsol 7308s and Telefunkens would also show their unique strengths given the opportunity. Cheers,
Spencer
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Fsmithjack,

Have you heard the Berkeley Reference DAC?
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
I have heard Berkeley DACs a bunch of times but not their new Reference DAC but I bet it sounds amazing. Pretty expensive though I think...
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