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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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davidz
44 posts
 
@fsmithjack 

I believe you saw my comments on the other thread about the M12. I did hear the M1SE with the new network card, and it was very much the same as with the m12 -- spectacular. Better, in my system, than the network bridge, the mRendu and the SOTM 200 (the latter 2 powered with the LPS1 from uptone). Obviously I haven't tried all the psu combinations, but in my mind that is another advantage of the card -- you lose all the clutter of extra gear and cords! I will reiterate my core belief: nothing can be gained (conceptually) translating LAN signals to USB/Spdif, just to have them translated back to I2S for the DAC. Better to go right from LAN protocol to I2S, if possible. DAC network cards make that possible. -- David
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Thanks so much David! I love my M1SE but been trying to find away to swing a M12. It is a lot more money than the M1SE. With my M1SE I use a nice preamp. Do you think the M12 is MUCH better than the M1SE in your opinion hearing them both. I really want a M12 and would use as my DAC and Preamp but would love to here from a owner and one that knows both well. Does the M12 have all the filters the M1 has always had Linear and Minimum filters? If it is that much of an upgrade I need to find a way to swapping around some gear and get one! Love to hear your thoughts. I'm fixing to pick up a PS Audio transport for Discs also as they have come down a lot and I'm told they are great and I have nothing now for spinning the good old silver discs.
davidz
44 posts
 
@fsmithjack 

Hi --The M12 has the same DAC & supporting architecture (i.e., internal power supplies, etc.). They are really, really, very close in that regard. The M12 has an analog volume control for both the digital and analog sections -- it is a delight to use & sounds great. It is an electronic resistor ladder. Brian thinks (& I agree) it adds a very slight touch of warmth vs. the "purity" of the digital control on the M1. The M12 has a re-designed DSD filter that I can't explain but definitely sounds better than the M1SE. The M12 only has 2 PCM filter choices minimum and linear. I didn't ask Brian about that, but I suspect the extra choices weren't worth the bother for most users. Count me in that category. Those are the differences I can recall now. I'll check later at home to see if I forgot any. Hope that helps. -- David
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Hmmm - I know my M1SE sounds much better with a good preamp in my opinion. I know the DACs are the same and DSD is different but it's $6,000 more so I was hoping overall the new R2R preamp was a substantial / big SQ upgrade. I mean a $6000 preamp after the M1SE would be a big deal and used you can get a pretty serious pre for that price. So you think for Listening to Digital PCM files they are very close with M12 just a bit warmer? I appreciate the feedback but is that accurate? So you wouldn't say that the new M12 is a big overall upgrade when listening to PCM? This is helping me decide. I am surprised I would have thought Brians preamp would be a game changer and take it to a TOTAL other - game changing type of level. It's double the price of the base M1? I am glad I asked because I would much rather upgrade my M1SE with the Network Player and get a serious preamp or top notch integrated for the extra $6,000 - $6000 can go pretty far on Audiogon if able to find the right deal!
Thanks again 
davidz
44 posts
 
@fsmithjack 

I would definitely see if you can demo an M12 and/or have a conversation with Brian about his design goals.. I'm sure you're aware, he's very accessible. Bricasti calls the M12 a "source controller," not a preamp. From my perspective, the fact that it sounds almost exactly like the M1 is spot on. But then again, the topic of what a preamp can/should do in a system is a large and contentious one. Clearly you have your own perspective and should evaluate the M12 on your own terms. --- David
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