New DAC with streamer

If you like the PS Audio DSD, my customers usually move to one of three brands depending on budget.  Meitner MA3, Playback Designs or Bricasti.  The M1 has been a popular choice but the M21 is awesome in that it is an M1 S2 AND it has the R2R.

regarding the streamer card, this outperforms most streamers/DACs and does this because it is solidly made and is connected internally via I2S.  I2S is advantageous as it connects the clocks in a superior way and leads to better sound due to reduced jitter.  
 

the MA3 is a step up from the DSD as well and is modestly priced compared to Playback or Bricasti with a list at $10.5k.  The Playback MPD-6 is amazing but with card, is $18k.  
 

full disclosure. I am a dealer for all three brands but have personally owned the DSD, had multiple DSDs in on trade for direct compare.

Regarding other recos in this thread that I have owned and spent time with, as wonderful as the Weiss 501/502 is, the unit is a bit brighter than what you are used to.  The Weiss Helios is smoother sounding but is a big step up in price to $22k.  I find dCS and Lumin also to be noticeably brighter than what you are used to.  
 

I just hooked up the Esoteric N-01XD a few minutes ago and I have not put it through its paces yet but reminds me of the Weiss Helios tonally.  It is neutral and pleasant sounding. I only listened to a few tracks but this might be a good fit as well.  

full disclosure. I am a dealer for all three brands

@verdantaudio 

So, I heard the Bricasti not too long ago and noted that it didn't sound any better than my Denafrips Venus or the Yggdrasil.  I opened it and noted that the build quality wasn't any better either. I wondered why and pondered it deeply. "Why didn't I get what I paid for??" 

And then....it occurred to me.

16 k Brici  --> subtract dealer's cut of 8k

----> Subtract another 4k (Just keepin the good ol' boys more honest in life cut)

Now, the resultant pice is about in the same ballpark as the Denafrips or the Schiit. Is that why it didn't sound any better Verdant? What do you think?

@deep_333 I am unfamiliar with Denafrips, Shiit or Bricastis’s P&L.  I do not know their margins, expenses or cost structures beyond the prices they charge me.  You are correct that many consumer direct companies and Chinese manufacturers offer less expensive products due to the elimination of dealer margin, cheap labor, Chinese sourced parts, and other lower costs.   
 

Obviously, you have your POV on what Bricasti delivers in terms of value and you do not feel the price is justified.  Others have a different POV and experience and feel it is a great product.  I certainly have had very positive experiences with their products as a retailer and consumer.  I disagree with you but your opinion is certainly valid as it reflects your experience.  I would hope that you extend the same courtesy to me and to others fans of Bricasti Designs.  Not saying you haven’t, merely saying I hope you do.

@verdantaudio  I also got to compare the Bricasti to my TAD D-1000, but, it is not essentially an apples-apples comparison as the TAD is also a top notch SACD player (price is justified). On the same note, I also audited the Playback Designs DAC that the OCD Hifi dealer dude is always talking about on his channel and that DAC did feel like a step up. It retained its composure in more complex passages/tracks and was able to retain separation and spatial nuance better than the Venus & Yggdrasil. It took 3 guys, listening to the test tracks over and and a whole lotta back and forth to definitively say that. Diminishing returns are expected, of course, but, at the least, i see the justification for the playback designs in its price bracket. The Bricasti certainly didn't measure up. 

So, i suppose it's good that you carry Playback Design as well. It again confirms what i've felt for ages "Ya don't get what you paid for in all cases!!". There is maybe a small percentage of items in the 'high end' where the price can be justified . In many other cases, it is just a whole lot of fluff. 

Have you had a chance to listen to the Cary Audio DMS800PV Dual Mono DAC/Streamer. Plays Tidal and Qobuz as well as other.  Built in Crystek Oscillator Clock and other goodies.  Very hard to beat in the price point you are looking at and it is built like a tank.