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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
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Sabai

The M1 is so good i'm looking to really get all I can out of it. I feel in my system there is so much more there and I am looking to go after it. I am fixing to upgrade its supporting cast in my system to leverage its strengths.

That is always one of the problems we can run into when we significantly upgrade our source. It shows you what else needs work. Its a slippery slope that most of us have all slipped on but its a fun ride.

I love my current CJ amps and they are great at making not the very best front end still sound great with a rich lush and warm sound. I am looking to improve upon these and get a much more neutral, powerful, resolving, dynamic and transparent amp that still posses that tube dimensional and layered realness sound with humanity and soul to the music. Tough act to pull of without tubes but my thought is this will get the most out of my M1!

I am now thinking the monster Pure Class A amps Steve from Empirical used in his rooms to tout his new top of the line DAC. The Clayton Audio M300 Mono blocks I am hoping may be the answer. If you or any of the guys on here know of these and think they will work well when driven direct like Steve did from my M1 that would great and I would love any feedback. These are huge, heavy, plain looking, run real hot but sound great and offer what above I am hoping to pull off. Thanks guys



jriggy's avatar
jriggy
557 posts
 
Fsmithjack,

"I am looking to improve upon these and get a much more neutral, powerful, resolving, dynamic and transparent amp that still posses that tube dimensional and layered realness sound with humanity and soul to the music."

You are describing the Wells Audio Innamorata or the Innamorata Signature. On top of that, they are not huge, they are beautiful looking and do not run hot. A dealer friend of a friend of mine, has also listened to them in comparison to the Claytons, and the Wells win. My friend and I both own Innamorata amps now.
wisnon
700 posts
 
The Trinity Dac…Ahh yes, I spent a weekend with one a month ago, as well as the Golden Gate Dac in an UBER system.

Thumbs up for both of them...
aolmrd1241
1,028 posts
 
04-03-15: Fsmithjack

"I am looking to improve upon these and get a much more neutral, powerful, resolving, dynamic and transparent amp that still posses that tube dimensional and layered realness sound with humanity and soul to the music. Tough act to pull of without tubes but my thought is this will get the most out of my M1!"

.........................................................

Fsmithjack. I found exactly that in my Merrill Audio Veritas class d monoblock amps. These things rock big time in all of the areas you mentioned. Do some research on them,you can thank me later...8)

jon2020's avatar
jon2020
986 posts
 
I would agree with Sabai that the Berkeley Ref Dac is indeed the one to beat at its price point (the Trinity being at a much loftier price) and is in a different league altogether compared to the M1. But at about half the price of the Berkeley, the M1 is very good value.
I was mesmerised by the Berkeley Ref just a couple of days ago when I dropped by my local store and there was this gentleman playing his own cd's of Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole that had both of us riveted to our seats. There was the added bonus of D'Agostino's Momentum pre- and power amps hooked up at the same time and the experience was truly sublime.
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