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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
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fsmithjack OP
605 posts
 
Guys a point about the transport I wanted share.

I went with the recommendation that I got on this thread that improving the transport will provide a huge upgrade and can sometimes be as important or in some cases more important than the DAC.

Well I wanted to try a reasonable price thing first as I spend most all my audio funds upgrading from the DS to the Bricasti but i bought the SOtM sMS-100 Mini Server to lower noise from the usb interface and was hoping for a SQ improvement.

No go. Not sure why but my pc to DAC via my killer usb cable was much better than the SOtM sMS-100 Mini Server. I tried hard to like the SOtM but the pc to dac was better? I assume because the Bricasti usb interface is really good and my usb cable does a nice job helping out as well.

Now I was thinking of buying the SOtM usb card or maybe the JCAT one or do you guy know a better one. I am sure CAPS server would better but don't quite have that money yet unless someone builds them via DIY or has a used one or something. That would be amazing would love to hear from you. Want to stick with usb because i love the sound my usb cable has. Thanks and please I am just learning about the computer / transport side so would love as much feedback about this stuff as I can get and other reader will benefit as well as we are approaching 10,000 folks that are reading this thread. Thanks
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Jon2020,

How does the Bricasti separate the boys from the men? Details please?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Fsmith - I doubt if you will find any server or PCI card that will beat a well-designed USB interface.

You are better off to get an Antipodes server and use USB from it. This actually beats most PC and Mac.

If you want to lower the jitter of the USB interface in the Bricasti, use an Off-Ramp, Dynamo supply and my BNC-BNC coax cable.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
I'm guilty! I'm the one who reached out to Fsmithjack regarding the Bricasti M1. I'm currently using my DSD connected directly to my amplifier. I had a Parasound JC2 preamp, but I thought the DSD direct was more transparent and sold the JC2. In hindsight, I realize that with the DSD direct I'm loosing dynamics, the sound isn't as full, and it's a little bright. My dilemma is to keep the DSD and get a new preamp or sell the DSD and purchase a new DAC. My concern...how well does the M1 function as a preamp? I guess I will know in a couple of weeks!
bill_k
671 posts
 
Ricred1 - I can tell you that Bricasti has demoed their M1 DAC directly driving their new mono power amps at recent shows, and the sound has been reported by several reviewers as one of the best of the shows. So it has the capability to perform exceptionally well as a preamp - in the proper system. It will depend upon how well it matches the power amp you're using, as far as its input impedance and sensitivity. Unfortunately the only way to really know how well it will work in a specific system is to try it, as to whether you will like it as much as having an active linestage. Hope this helps at least a little bit with your search! Good listening.
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