Bricasti M3 In the house

It was not easy, but I finally placed my SimAudio 700i integrated amp in bypass mode. It was not an easy process.

I am using the volume control on the Bricasti M21 DAC to control the volume. The sound is good but NOT light-years better than using the preamp. My ’gut reaction’ is it might not be as clear. The music does not seem as smooth. The Preamp might add more air. I am still doing more listening. Please stay tuned.

So, an hour later, as I stated above, when going direct, I felt the music was missing something. The music was not as open or engaging when going direct to my SimAudio amplifier. The music felt more closed in.

I switched back to preamp mode and everything was sounding right. The air and engaging factor were returned. The music sounded much better.

For my application, and setup, I believe the preamp is needed to help the music sound natural, clearer and engaging. My experiment is done, and I am keeping my SimAudio 700i integrated amp. Case closed.

I know that other people prefer going direct from a DAC to a power amplifier. Based on my audition, my decision is dependent on my equipment, my environment and how I listen to music. There is no right or wrong answer since it just depends on the individual.

So, the bottom line is you have to test Going from the DAC to your power amp in your system and then decide.  I prefer using a preamp for the best quality sound.  To me, the sound is flat, lifeless without a good preamp.  In my system, the preamp overall sound is dynamic, engaging, clearer, smoother and fuller. 

Please test and post your results. Everyone has different results and opinions on going direct to an amp using a preamp. 

@hgeifman just curious why you bought the M21 if you are using your intergrated? Isn’t the M21 like 16K? Wouldn’t it have been a better option to either get the Bricasti M1SE or M3? Curious minds would like to know and yes it’s been my experience a preamp brings something to the equation, I’ve always preferred not using a DAC straight into amps myself. Others like it straight in, no right or wrong way to do it.

@rsf507, I like the Bricasti M21 DAC, including the MDx board upgrade, because it has the delta sigma and ladder DAC for PCM conversion. I like it fully differential design and its 'awesome' sound quality in my system.  

Perviously, I owned the Bricasti M1SE DAC and I believe the M21 sounds substantially better.  I use the ladder DAC setting but do switch back and forth.   I have both the Audience Au24 SE+ USB Cable and the Kubala-Sosna Emotion AES/EBU cable, Balanced XLR connected to my M21 DAC from my Aurender N10 Server but use the K-S AES/EBU cable most of the time.  It sounds slightly better to my ears.  

I also have the Bricasti M3 DAC in my home theatre 2-channel system and it is also excellent.    

@hgeifman, did you ever compare the M3 to the M21 delta sigma?   I thought I heard somewhere the M3 (with MDx) was pretty much the same as what is in the M21 delta sigma, but I don't know if that is true or not.  I've heard the M21 ladder DAC sounds really really good.

I just sold my 3 month old M3 (had MDx) to try a few other things.  I really liked it and might buy it again, but it didn't blow away my much older SimAudio 380DSD and so I guess I'm still looking...

I'm now going to try a few lower priced DACs that have a lot of recent buzz to see how they compare.   I've got both a Topping D90 MQA and  RME ADI 2 DACFS in shipment to play with.   My M3 remote cost $500 and the D90 MQA $800, so this should be an interesting comparison :)

@ddafoe,  No.  My Bricasti M21 DAC is in my main audio system and the Bricasti M3 DAC is in my home theatre system that uses the LG OLED TV as the source.  My home theatre system was using the Ayre Codex DAC that I thought was excellent.  I then purchased the M21 DAC (main system) and moved my SimAudio 380 DAC from my main system to the home theatre system.   It was okay so I auditioned the Bricasti M3 DAC (no remote) and sold the SimAudio.  

The Bricasti M3 DAC is excellent and I felt sounded much better than my SimAudio 380 DAC.  As you know, everyone has a different opinion on what sounds good.  Audio is very strange hobby.  I agree with you that it is fun to "try a few other things".  

You might want to look at the Ayre CODEX DAC since it has excellent sound. Its list price is about $1,800 and I have seen them on Audiogon for sale around $1,000.  I am not familiar with the other DAC's you mentioned.