Bricasti M1 - where is the music


I had a chance to audition the highly-praised Bricasti M1 at my dealer. The associated gear include ATC 100 passive floor stander, ML pre and mono block. We used playback designs MPS5 for comparison and as the transport. I auditied this DAC hoping to use it as a secondary source to my Klimax.

We used primarily Diana Krell's CDs, including Live in Paris, and violin solo and concertos.

The positive:

M1 is technically excellent. The highs are extended without harshness. Mids are fairly transparent. Bass hits deep with power and definition. M1 reminds me of DAC1 and dare I say it's a souped up DAC1 in every respect (could be a good or bad thing)

The negative:

I would say the biggest weakness and ultimately my dismissal of this otherwise technically proficient DAC is its ulter lack of musicality. For example, human voice do not sound real and organic when compared with MPS-5. When Diana sings, I did not get the imagery of her singing. Like the mids, the highs on M1 leave much to be desired. For example, symbols in Living in Paris and violin solos lack the real life quality associated with those instrument. M1 sounded just like another digital DAC, displaying all the negative aspect of digital music. On the very high notes of violin, all I heard was a monotone sound, without the usual harmonics and woodiness I am used to with Klimax and what I heard on MPS-5. Soundstage of M1 feels contrived and not realistic. I did not hear the complex layering as with he MPS-5, nor did I hear as deep of a soundstage.

I believe if you like how DAC-1 sounds and wants a more refined and upgraded version of that sound, M1 may be a great choice. However, if you value real-life organic sound with music unfolding in a natural way, you may want to look elsewher
e.

Overall I was very disappointed in the M1 when I had very high expectations after reading the latest review in an audio magazine.
chesebert
Funny enough, I spent an afternoon last week auditioning the M1, compared with the Alpha DAC series 2. Both are excellent, natural and well extended into both frequency extremes. The Alpha however has an edge with pace and rhythm. Felt more enjoyable to listen to, but can not pin point to what element that may have caused this as they seemed to be on par when you focus on individual strengths. All other equipments are the same.
So you compared the $13K PD with the $8K Bricasti and preferred the more expensive component. Why should that surprise anyone? I thought that was the way things were supposed to work. I know people are fond of saying that spending more doesn't always get you better sound and sometimes that's true, but many times it isn't the case.
I've been using the M1 in our reference system since August. It is a replacement to the Accustic Arts DAC1 Mk. IV.

IMO, its not the type of DAC that you can spend a little bit of time with in a showroom. The filter settings sound radically different. When I first put it into my system I had to find the filter setting that worked best with my system. Once I found the filter I preferred it really locked in with the system.

The M1 makes you put a little bit of work into it but when you do I think you will find it rewarding. Its the best digital I've ever heard in our system - and the musical by far.
I've been listening to the M1 for several months and I find it an advantage that I have 7 filters to choose from. It takes a bit of listening to settle on one. IMO the dynamics, transparency and musicality without any listener fatigue are amazing. I am using an Esoteric x-03 as a transport, so it's CD based....BTW, in the above post the #4 filter mentioned is not the same as the #4 filter John Marks used in his Stereophile review of the M1.