The M3 I just purchased was shipped from the factory Mar 2020 and the manual doesn't mention anything about MDx but if I select the version using the Status button it shows MDx 1.01. Just curious, those that have older M3s, what does the version show?
I didn't realize the Ethernet streaming option was $1500 to add (I had it in my head it was a $1000 for some reason), so you have to factor that into the price of the M3 vs a used M1SE if you find one with the streamer already added. On the same hand purchasing a used M1SE will add the cost of the MDx upgrade if comparing it with a newer M3.
So, $5500 new M3 + $1500 Streamer vs ~ $6K (I've seen $5750 to $6250 recently on used sites) for a used M1SE with streamer + $1000 (assume you don't get the intro price) MDx upgrade creates pretty much even cost. If the M1SE + MDx beats the M3 with MDx then it seems like the better value.
I've never heard the M1SE so I can't say; I'm happy with the M3 performance in my system although I will say it just barely beats my 5 year old SimAudio 380DSD in overall sound quality in my system with my ears. The 380DSD is a great sounding DAC though and had an MSRP close to the Bricasti has now, but 5 to 6 years ago so maybe that isn't a big surprise it is very competitive. For my system I definitely think I'm at the point of diminishing returns for a digital source...
The funny part is my streamer is a Raspberry Pi with SPDIF out feeding a Shunyata Anaconda ZTRON cable (MSRP of 10x the PI system) into the DAC. Maybe that is where I should spend more money, although I must admit I'm not expecting the $1500 streamer to blow away my Pi system, but I've never heard an expensive streamer so I can't say one way or the other.
