Bricasti M3 w/network card vs USB


Hey Gang,

Really enjoying the M3. Currently just using for streaming Tidal and Qobuz and playing files via coax from an Oppo 103

I am looking to add a server/nas to play 6 tb of DSD and Hi Rez/flac/wav files. 
I would really just like to stay with using the network input and avoid USB unless the crew can tell me USB sounds better.  Has anybody compared the network input vs USB?

Any input would be appreciated. 
 

Thanks,

Russ

128x128benzman

^ Um what? so without the Evo front end the Bricasti is no good?  How about my Melco N1Z feeding the Bicasti by Ethernet? Also no good?

The ethernet card is very similar to an outboard M5 and is internally connected via I2S. This provides stellar clocking between the player and DAC. That is why it outperforms many other options.

With my Antipodes K50 I was able to test Ethernet from the server half of the device, AES and Coax from the on-board clock and the USB which is obviously asynchronous. The K50 via AES Coax beat the Ethernet. It was closer than I would like it to be given the card costs $1000 and the player/clock half of the Antipodes is like $7500 to buy on its own plus you need a server. The ethernet synchronous inputs were noticeably better than the USB.

An elite server and player can beat the ethernet card but at a price ($17.5K) that most consumers would not spend when paired with an M3. Given how strong the ethernet connection is via the Bricasti, I think the most logical solution would be to run a high-powered server that can handle those 6TB of data and not burden it with player duties.

My suggestion would be to look at the Antipodes S40. It can handle up to 8TB of data and offers a direct ethernet streaming connection from the device. This would allow you to continue to leverage the ethernet card and have a nice, high-powered server that can easily handle a big and demanding library. It also bypasses your router and other equipment in terms of connection between server and DAC after signal processing has begun.

Full disclosure, I am a Bricasti and Antipodes dealer. I would also say I have not tested Innuos, EVO and other devices that solely use USB outputs and have no comment on how they might perform differently.

 

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Thanks for the great info. 
Not sure what to do. I have all these great DSD files And no way of getting them to the Bricasti . I am looking at a Melco N100 for 2k which will do the trick or maybe spend a couple of grand on improving my streaming setup ( have a EtherRegen w/SoTM cabling in place already) and forget about the files. 
Haven’t even heard whet DSD sounds like on the Bricasti. Can anybody comment on that? Of course it’s always about the recording but just wondering if it’s worth spending even bigger money 5-7k on a server/streamer that supports the music services. Would Qobuz and Tidal sound better thru a dedicated player than the network card?

Since I have upgraded to Townshend Fractal F1 speaker wires and the Iconoclast 4x4 Gen 2 XLR my rig is really sounding good. Just want to figure out the final piece. ( for now)