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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
fsmithjack
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hi Jeff,

What is it that you are saying is "running wireless"?

If you are saying that the computer that is running J-River is wirelessly connected to the router, that would have no relevance to Fsmithjack’s suggestion or to what I have said in regard to his suggestion.

If you are saying that the DAC is connected wirelessly to the router, I was not aware that the DAC provides wireless connectivity.

If the computer is connected wirelessly to the router and the DAC is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable (which I was assuming is the case), then I believe Fsmithjack’s suggestion and my explanations of it do in fact make sense.

And regarding Joe’s comment just above, I would not liken Fsmithjack’s suggestion to daisy-chaining cables or analog components. In this case the network switch would be regenerating the signal, and the benefit it might provide would be more akin to (although not the same as) what a reclocker does.

Regards,
-- Al
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Makes sense to me. Computer to the router is "wireless". 
However router to the DAC is through an ethernet cable.  So the switch would be placed between the router and DAC. 

Would the switch improve the sound quality? Listening will decide that. 
Charles 
joecasey
484 posts
 
Netgear GS108 Switch is basically a splitter similiar to one I use in my office at work.  IMHO, will sound different so I guess better to some.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@jwm I use a sub router that connects wirelessly to the main router for wired, networked audio in my audio room. In a way, I’m applying both approaches.

If you are happy with the sound quality via your wireless setup, and are not experiencing any dropouts, etc. then stay with it and enjoy your music. If you go wired, it does complicate one’s system, despite the posts to the contrary. But it may also deliver better sound quality, though that isn’t guaranteed with your specific setup. That’s why folks are encouraging you to give it a try.

If I could eliminate the extra router, the switch, the multiple power supplies and DC cabling, and the LAN cabling I’ve chosen, I would and I have strongly considered it. The dCS Network Bridge comes to mind. Since you like Bricasti, perhaps the M5 for you.

I’m happy I came across this thread and your and Charles’ posts on the Bricasti v TotalDAC outcomes. Thanks.
jwm
918 posts
 
My Bricasti has the M5 board built in to it. That is how I’m able to hook it up to the router through wi fi. The M5 board internally reclocks and sends the digital signal through I2S internally to the converter 
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