In my opinion, the sound quality produced by my Bricasti M1 SE DAC is outstanding. My system now offers breathtaking detail, transparency, lack of noise, and excellent dynamics. I had the original M1 DAC and upgraded it to the M1 SE edition based on listening at an audio show. I am running my Bricasti M1 SE DAC DIRECT into my Hypex NCore NC400 Bridged mono block class D power amplifiers (no pre-amplifier). I am using Sonus Faber Olympica II Speakers.
After conversations with
Bricasti, Hypex & James (James Romeyn Music and Audio, LLC), we decided to
remove the R141 (circuit) from my Hypex NCore NC400 bridged mono blocks, thus
lowering gain by 14 dB, requiring 14 dB higher M1 volume setting for same
playback level. Bricasti says the goal
is to have the M1 CLOSE to 0db front panel attenuation. If you reduce the
volume on the M1 DAC, you cause more bit reduction meaning you lose sound quality.
When you connect the Bricasti M1 DAC to
a power amplifier, you should balance the M1 DAC to the power amplifier to
achieve your M1 volume settings CLOSE to 0db.
I urge you to continue your research and listen to these DAC's before you make your final decision. Of course, everyone has a different opinion on this subject. You never know “how it really sounds”, until you listen in your room and system.