Back to the DAC

For my DAC, I was using the DAC in my McIntosh MA 8950 integrated amp. It worked well with my Polk Audio R700s. But then I got a pair of Klipsch Cornwall 4s. They would sound outstanding on some recordings but on a lot of material they would sound hard or bright. I tried positioning, cabling etc..Most owners say you need tubes with these speakers but I didn’t want to mess with a tube amp because my stereo is also tied in with tv and its apps. I thought I would try tubes in the chain somewhere though so I got an affordable tube DAC ,the Black Ice FX DAC. I put some $400 Mullards in it from Kevin Deal (Upscale audio). That really did the trick. Now the Cornwallis sound great, no listening fatigue at all. I really love this DAC. But realizing how much a DAC move improved my system, I thought about trying more highly regarded DACs to see if I can improve it even more. I ended up ordering the LAiV Harmony. I wanted to try the Audio Mirror Tubadour V but wasn’t sure about spending $7500. I also considered the Canor DAC 2.10 @ $4000. Both tube DACs. If for some reason I do not like the Laiv, I will look into getting one of those two. The LAiV ships at the end of June, they had already sold out of their first production run.

Definitely try the M1S2 direct to your amplifier. That might be a revelation. 

Yes, let us know how you like the "more direct" sound. 

I'm done for now, thanks to you all for your help & support on my audio journey, time to sit back and enjoy the music!

👍 🎶 🎵 🎶

I thought I would provide my first week’s impressions as a new owner of Bricasti Design’s M19 SACD transport and M21 DAC. Let me initially talk about the M19 by itself. I connected it via a Kimber Orchid AES/EBU digital cable to my Theta Digital Casablanca V, which incorporates Theta Digital’s highly-regarded DAC cards; their $5K "Extreme III" card handles the left and right channels. From the very start, I was astonished. Frankly, I bought the M19 just to be able to send the DSD layer of SACDs to the M21 via Bricasti’s proprietary I2S connection. That said, I really did not have any serious expectations for improved CD-based sound. Was I ever surprised! The clarity was dramatically better. I can only describe my reaction as being akin to opening the door to 38F mountain air -- the immediate sensation of crisp and clear. I am still amazed, and I must contribute this effect to the superior mechanics/electronics/optoelectronics of the M19 compared to my prior two excellent transports - a Wadia 8 for CDs and a Theta Digital Compli for SACDs. Next, I streamed some tracks using the M21 (and its integrated network card). Instantly, I detected better detail, a wider soundstage, and much more depth than my prior Lumin T2 had delivered. These same effects were obvious when listening to various CDs and (to a lesser extent) SACDs.

This combination of M19 and M21 was, for me, very costly; together, the total MSRP was $26,500. Nonetheless, again -- for me, buying them was worth it. They are an "end game" purchase, particularly since I am now 78 (but, somehow, still with pretty good hearing). Putting together a really good audio system, especially without easy access to audio equipment dealers requires a lot of diligence and some luck; I have been very lucky because my new digital system was the missing link, and, with it, the sound in my dedicated listening room is now, well, fabulous.

@jmeyers 

👍

@jmeyers 

Congratulations!

Thank you for your impressions and write up of your new equipment. It will probably sound even better over the next few weeks.