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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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sabai
2,027 posts
 
Bill_k,

I own the DS DAC. I have heard the Berkeley Reference DAC and the Bricasti M1 DAC in 2 different systems. I have not had the opportunity to do A/B testing with them in my own system. So, my observations have to be taken advisedly. Nevertheless, I was very impressed with the Berkeley.
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Sabai,

I agree I really do wish I heard it with Yale. The thing with me was how clueless I was to the gigantic role the transport plays. Granted I love my Bricasti and am happy as can be but I heard a DS on a different with system with their own matching PSA transport and it was awesome. The rest of his system is for sure decent but much more modest than my own and I loved it. I am now fully convinced - hands down by the most important means of getting information - ie; my own ears that the source (Transport & DAC) is by far the most important part in the chain and I think the transport and DAC are equally important - which is crazy I never would have guessed that.

Moreover, I think a great transport and decent DAC will vastly outperform a great DAC and a decent transport. I don't think that makes the transport more important but it might be and I never would have thought this and only new after I got my Bricasti !!
bill_k
909 posts
 
Thanks for your response, Sabai. That's very respectable of you to so fairly qualify your DAC comparisons.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Fsmithjack,

There may be differing opinions on whether the DAC or the transport is more important. For me, it is the synergy that matters most. I have been using the PS Audio PerfectWave transport for years. I am very happy with it. I decided to go with separates after I went through the EMM CDSA SE fiasco with their flimsy, problem-ridden transport drawer that they charged customers $1500 to replace. Not a nice thing to do to customers who already paid upwards of $11,500 for the DAC.

Bill_k,

You're welcome. The ideal situation is to A/B different DACs in your own system, if possible.
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Sabai

I couldn't agree with you more... Synergy is so the key... It's not always that easy to find but we all sure chase it and rightfully so. Just takes some time, effort, resources and luck as well I'm afraid but I am sure that PS Audio Duo is a killer, no brainier match up. Takes all the guess work out of it for all you PS Audio guys. I wish Bricasti made such a great matching transport like that.

I am trying to get the most out of my current transport/DAC combo myself. Each time I have improved the transport my Bricasti just keeps getting better and better.

I am kinda psyched as I just purchased an upgraded aftermarket (LPS) Linear Power Supply for my Auralic Aries Extreme. It was made / designed specifically for the Aries Femto version from a European company called SBooster. Its called the SBooster BOTW P&P ECO 15V - 16V. I also purchased the added SBooster Ultra upgrade as well which is another filter add that is on cable that attaches it to the Aries that re-cleans the power one last time before hitting the transport. I have read some real positive feedback about it on some German threads via Google translate that its a fantastic upgrade and really improves the Aries so I am looking forward to it. It should be here and the next few days.
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