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
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
Fsmithjack- great stuff! Appreciated. The M1 evolved quite a bit on the hardware side too from the time it was first introduced. Wasn't it? I wonder if they are done looking at possible hardware enhancements. Those filters have a lot of R&D into them I bet.
- Josh
Sabai

I have not heard the Yale yet. I'm sure its great as everyone seems to love it. I would def like to hear it sometime soon.
The Yale is awesome!
Much deeper with a natural sounding soundstage. Now the frequency response at the extremes is so natural.
I was at the California Audio Show and spent some time with Brian from Bricasti. He was very helpful and I agree the Bricasti M1 sounded very nice. I plan on listening again on Sunday and also plan on listening to my M1 at my local dealer.

I then discovered, that if I wanted to, I could use the Bricasti M1 as a pre-amplifier and replace my integrated amplifier with a power amplifier. Or, I could keep the integrated amp and use the Bricasti M1 as a DAC (and not a pre-amp). Several people have already recommended I do this but I am researching (my only source is my MAC Book Pro computer).

Does anyone use their Bricasti M1 as a pre-amp into your power amplifier? How does this sound? Does it make any sense to do this? Any comments would be appreciated.