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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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coli
291 posts
 
Alright, I've been listening to the DAC2 for awhile now. This thing destroys the Directstream at 1/3rd the price.

For the first time, a hi-res track actually sounded better than the CD version.

I also have a hi-res track that sounded worse than the cd track on the DS, on the DAC2, still sounded worse. Whoever made that needs to be fired.
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Hello Coli,

It just goes to show how system synergy and individual preference come into play. Everyone likes and hears things different. I keep reading how the Yale upgrade has been fantastic. Glad you are enjoying your BM DAC2. I have heard a modded DAC1 a ways back and liked it a lot but it was driving by tubes which seemed to be a good match for that DAC.
aolmrd1241
1,042 posts
 
Coli...So which is it? Are you blaming the DS for the poor quality of sound or is it the recordings used in your evaluations? Two wrongs don't make a right...
coli
291 posts
 
Aolmrd1241: pretty much everything sounded bad on the Directstream at low volume. If you want to hear thin/flat sound, the DS is the goto DAC.

The other DACs on the otherhand sounded good with most recordings, except a few. Eg: ceui

My brief time with a broken Metrum DAC, on the other hand, made even crap songs sound good.
coli
291 posts
 
Aolmrd1241: to add more details, with the Directstream, hi-res and CD quality recording sounded pretty much the same, heck even AAC and lossless sounded pretty much the same. Flat and thin.

On the DAC2, hi-res sounded "better" than cd quality. The most obvious is the increased resolution of complex splash sound.

With that said, I am not recommending the DAC2, it is just a point of comparison. The DAC2 also has a hint on thinness to it, just nowhere near the thinness of the Directstream.

The R2R NOS Metrum DAC on the other hand, even in it's broken state, sounded natural, and wonderful, and unlike anything I've ever heard before. I should have it back in a few weeks time, then I can comment more.
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