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
Sorry to disappoint you Chadeffect but I demoed an updated Bricasti M1 with USB and new filters six weeks ago no volume control with that unit but it was definitely in the works $8600 MSRP.
I am a Bricasti dealer so I can set the record straight:
The M1 has absolutely been updated to include new filters (including multiple Minimum Phase); a volume control; and an exceptional async USB input. Other inputs are AES, SPDIF (RCA), Toslink. Yes, a remote is coming soon.
Thanks. I'm glad we got that straight. Very confusing. shouldn't it have as mentioned a version number? Mrk2 or whatever?

So this unit can be updated or is it like mark levinson where another $5k for the update without the front plate number updated, or for $8k the update and the new face plate? Anyone remember those days?

Having said that I did love the ML 31.5/30.6 which worked for many years without fault.
im pretty sure the upgrade cost from the original cost is only like 600 or so.. but I do agree that the 2nd gen should be called M1A..after the Abrhams tank or something...in order to differentiate itself from the original non usb ver