My main reason to state my displeasure with PSA was not the quality of sound,but with their pricing scheme. My digital playback before the DS/PWT combo was a Wadia 861se with the GNSC Statement upgrade by the venerable Steve Huntley.. I loved the Wadia and kept it in house for 9 years before moving on to the DS/PWT combo.
The reason for moving on from the Wadia was simple...The PSA sound quality just plain crushed the mighty Wadia. The full up Wadia retailed for $13,500 vs the PSA retail of $10,000. I do not fall into the more money is better debate. What does get my goat is pricing that falls like a lead balloon when the manufacture wants to move a few more units for his bottom line,which in turn... causes animosity amongst the customer base.
They say a happy wife makes for a happy life[very-true]. I say a happy customer makes for a repeat buyer. Do it right or don't do it at all... |
Ricred1 your statements here are utterly inaccurate
"Yes, the M1 is better, but to my ears to say now that the Directstream is a piece a junk is laughable."
I never ever said the DirectStream was a piece of junk anywhere at anytime ever. Read this thread through I have posted a ton of my material and my opinions they are on the record for all to read and are quite clear. I have stated over and over how great of a piece I think the DirectStream is.
This thread is headed about a comparison between the DirectStream and the Bricasti and up until recently I was worried that I would like the DirectStream better. I spoke of the DirectStream as other than my speakers and maybe speaker cables as the jewel of my system.
I am very disappointed in how Paul has taken such a great DAC that many people spent north of $5,000 for and just a few months later started whoring them out to gain market share and make every last cent but that has more to do with my loyalty to my fellow PS Audio audiophile comrades than anything else.
Also, this and most the things I write are of course just my opinions so they are what they are but when I wrote
"I don't mean to sound course I really don't but this Bricasti to me has not just outperformed the DirectStream it has completely and utterly pulverized it to the point that it is embarrassing."
This is not either of the things you assumed.
I was not speaking about small, discernible, subjective little things as I purposely chose robust and colorful language to accentuate my point based on what I felt so clearly. There is nothing small or subjective about these two DAC in my opinion in my system.
Also, this doesn't make the DirectStream a peace of junk either which I would never say because that is not the way I feel.
I want to share a quote from Srajan Ebaena he used describing another product because I think it perfectly and cleanly illustrates the point I am trying to convey with regards to core of what I see as the difference between the DirectStream and the Bricasti:
" Once I hit play, those cocky words "game over" did do a full frontal assault number quite without volition. When you're in the presence of better than you're used to by a significant enough margin, it takes no time at all to recognize it." |
Ok, so what's better? Soundstage, bass, midrange? I'll have a M1 shortly and if I agree with your assessment, I'll be sure to post it! Listening always makes it clear. |
Ricred1 - Sorry if my post upset you, I was merely following up on your post about other superior DACs which you 'guaranteed' exist. By your statement I thought that you had personally experienced some, but apparently not. I was only politely requesting you to share your findings. |
Bill_k,
You didn't upset me. This is only audio; not life and death. My guarantee was somewhat "tongue-in-cheek", meaning in this hobby someone else will declare the Bricasti is inferior to the DAC they prefer. |
Fsmithjack,
I note your system lists 2 old Synergistic Research power cords and that your system is single ended. I wonder what the result would be if you listened to the DS DAC with high end power cords substituted for those old Synergistic Research cords, and if your system were balanced. Just a thought. What cables and cords were attached to the DS DAC when you were listening to it? |
Hi Sabai,
Those Synergistic Research cables actually are not old all as they are current models so def not old but they are only used to both run my computer ($600 retail cable that goes from my PC to PS Audio Power Plant Premier ac re-generator and the other one is used for my 60 inch Panny GT50 plasma which is a killer TV and was a real nice upgrade for the TV.
For the computer I am sure a $600 retail ac cable is overkill as I couldn't really hear any difference but I used it there anyways so to insure that spot won't cause any damaged.
For the DAC I used Great AC cables.
BMI Shark Jeweler Grade Platinum 9 AWG AC Power Cable
Mad Scientist PC-NEO with Power Purifier 11 AWG Power Cable
Sablon Audio Petite Corona 2.0M 7 AWG AC Power Cable
JPS Labs The Power AC+ 2M 8 AWG AC Power Cable
Read about the Mad Scientist PC-NEO with Power Purifier a forum member on here who opinion I value compared it favorable to Hidiamond 4 power cable which an amazing and expensive ac cable. I decided to give it is a try and am glad I did because it is outstanding.
Then I went with a super rare and tough to find older BMI Shark which was the former BMI flagship cable and IMO it is truly an amazing cable and definite reference quality cables. It is quite rare as it actually used q pure Jewelers grade pure platinum cable in hot lead in the ac cable.
not for nothing but BMI is pretty much the best of the very best when it comes to a high end ac cable maker. Again it is an older cable but it had a retail price of $3,500 and other members on here swear by them as do it. Ctystal clean and detailed yet not etched. I an incredible cable.
The Sablon Corona Patitie Corona is a British made unit. The guys has a small downtown shop in london and he sells direct so not well known on this side of the pond but again another really great cable that punches way above its weight. Mine has a little more length and retailed a tab over $900 but it performs at a much higher level. Read about them one 6moons they love this cable as do it.
The JPS Labs The Power AC+ 2M 8 AWG AC Power Cable is more of a power amp cable renowned for adding great bass to any power amps and is super well liked. The cable surprisingly sounded great with both DACS but the others are better options.
Not sure how the synergistic would compare to these cables but doubt that class of cable could compare with these. i have listed above earlier in this thread a bunch of different and pretty high quality equipment which I think helped me really get a good feel for the DirectStream. I was fortunate to have had the experience with that much different stuff.
I think the cables I have used allowed me to get a feel for the DAC without the AC cables causing my not get to hear it at its best. That said would a $5000 ac cable improve it. I am sure it will but the cables I used should be comparabel to others in the $600 to $1800 range quality wise IMO.
This said I like all three with both DACs but the Mad Scientist was my favorite with the DirectStream and the BMI with the Bricasti but they were all pretty good.
You can spend tons more on power cables and 3 times more than the DAC if one so chooses but I think at some point a line needs to be drawn because I love power cables and they offer so much improved performance.
I went through tons and tons of power cables and spent thousands trying different ones and then buying / selling / etc then settled on these ones I have now but I am always open to trying new ones.
Sorry about the type o's on my phone. Thanks |
Fsmithjack,
It looks like you have done a very thorough job with cabling to optimize the DS DAC and the Bricasti.
I live in a remote part of Asia so it takes a lot of money and effort to do the importing and exporting required to do extensive testing of cables and components. I have spent years at this and have settled on a very satisfying blend of cables to optimize my system. I use a combination of Shunyata and Elrod cables in series with my own DIY Furutech and DIY silver cables. I have been able to sell off many expensive cables and have ended up with greatly improved SQ.
My discussion of series cabling has been variously ridiculed and ignored on the Forum. It is too unconventional for most people to take seriously. Yet, it can work sonic miracles if you have the time, the patience and the money to develop such a project. The challenge is to discover a synergy that is superior to single cables. Otherwise, what's the point? I have worked on this for years and the sound is stunning. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Different strokes. |
Hey Guys,
I have been super busy at work and have not had a lot time to write but my M1 is starting to break in real nicely an it keeps getting better and better. I promise when I get some time I will get to the proper analysis of the 2 DACS like I said I would but a fellow member reached out to me that currently owns a DirectStream and has been strongly considering the M1 and I emailed him some of my thoughts on it so due to my lack of time I thought I would share some exerts of the email with you guys for now until I get some time to do a proper write up:
March 11, 2015 4:04pm
Curious as to how they compare in the following areas :
Bass, Soundstage, and detail. ..are they night and day differences? Thanks for your time!
March 13, 2015 7:10am
Hey there,
Sorry been crazy busy and I typed a real nice response which took me a while and I really got into both the differences but accidentally hit the back button on my laptop when typing and lost it all. Ugghh...
The difference between these DACS is quite large. Their perspectives and their specific characters are very different. A much shorter version of what I wrote to you earlier initially speaks to the details and the sound stage which I think really is where the main difference takes place.
The DS has great detail and fleshes out many of the fine details in the music and I found it far superior to all the other DACs and CD players I heard before it and some were very good in deed but compared to the Bricasti the differences become a quite apparent. I think this is where some of the bright and/or over analytic criticism gets pointed at the DS. I loved the DAC and would have argued to the bone that no way it was a bright DAC but when compared to the Bricasti I can now see what those people were saying as everything in life is relative it just matters about from what perspective your viewing it from.
The reason I think, is that with the Bricasti within the sound stage its finite details are firmly fastened to the images specificity and you can clearly hear its detail origin very specific to the specific instrument and musician which lends to highlighting its haunting separation and integrating it with the whole of the entire musical flow and this can be a tough balancing act for many and where the Bricasti is far superior in this effect it is within this scope that lays a sort of force multiplier effect throughout the rest of the spectrum that gives it a mighty advantage. This is so superior to the DS and all the others that I have heard! It is errie like yet warm and inviting. An odd and intoxicating combination. Even with this bass, the DS has a robust and detailed bass that I was very pleased with but the Bricasti Bass is so much more layered and can be heard much more specifically to the specific instruments. The guitar stringing becomes more striking and full, the drums are starting and you feel the strike but more impressible is the long and true decay. The brash horns are biting yet warm and this bass is full nuanced and layered yet still robust but much tighter. Not as round but every-bit as low and even stronger yet quite different. It's more sophisticated and has a strutting like quality of confidence. It works from a more delineated and image specific bass that builds a more robust foundation to tightly work on up to the mid bass to mids or down. It is such an advantage it almost feel like its cheating. Kind of like a super fast runner that is moving so much faster than others but without even trying. Just a more natural and fluid gifted strut that it seems unfair. This carries right on down to the low stuff as well. The High seem delicate yet better extended with a sheen smoothness that just keeps going...It just has such a more relaxed and confident demeanor that it struts its robust, warm and dynamic self with such ease and elegance that its almost arrogant and exhumes class and prominent grooming and breeding. Please understand the DS is very nice DAC that I enjoyed mightily but my music world was changed more by the Bricasti then any other component/speaker or anything in Audio and I never would have expected this type of increase over what I thought already was an amazing DAC. It's funny how someones perspective can so radically change almost overnight. Hope this is info id helpful to you :)
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Very happy for you, FSmithjack.
And if I am ever stricken with acute foot-in-mouth disease to say something silly like "The Bricasti separates the boys from the men", I know I will get some serious s@#* from all the diehard DS fans out there. And so, restrained, I shall remain. |
Jon2020,
How does the Bricasti separate the boys from the men? Details please? |
Hey Jon2020
If you have read the tread through as I think a lot of the DS folks have you will see I have spoke to how great the DS is and how much I loved it. These DS fans are awesome as I was a card caring one myself for a long time going from the MKI to MKII to DS then all the DS upgrades. I liked all the DS upgrades a lot but can see how some would prefer different versions for sure. I am sure if someone started a thread about a DAC almost twice as much as the Bricasti I wouldn't be offended because when you pay that much more heck it should be better but that isn't always the case and was sort of where this thread started. I was a DS owner when I started this thread. The DS blows away everything in its price range and many much more expensive ones as well so no speaking out of school there... |
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 |
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 |
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! |
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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. |
Bill,
Thanks for the info and you are correct, the only way to know is to try it. I have decided to sell my DSD and purchase a M1. |
Ricred1 has a real well designed amp from a great and very well respected designer. Both are spec'd well within each others optimal performance envelopes. I agree that hearing is Always best and the safest but much harder to do these days than before... I have heard both just not together but I think Ricred1is amp will sound GREAT with the M1 IMO... |
Hey Essentialaudio
Thanks so much !!!
I had no idea about this brand new review.
It looks like it's just a couple days old or so from March 2015 and its a must read IMO.
For my fellow Agon comrades that may not have the time or inclination to read the entire review here is a cliff notes version with a few exerts to give you the gist of it... I really like the down to earth conversational style of this Dagogo review.
By: Ed Momkus | March 2015 Dagogo
" I will start this review of the Bricasti Design Model 1 USB DAC by taking out all of the suspense. The M1 is one of the best DACs available on the market at any price. In fact, when used in the right system it is actually a bargain, since it allows you to eliminate a preamp. It also gives tweakers a huge range of filter options that adjust the sound. Finally, it’s a great looking piece of equipment that you’ll be proud to feature on your equipment stand. The M1 is so good that there is no need for a long review – there’s simply nothing in the way of a weakness. Any DAC that’s “better” is not better because of a shortcoming in the M1. Now that’s out of the way, let’s get to the details."
"Whatever Bricasti did to achieve it, the M1Â’s digital volume control is excellent. "
" I bought and sold several well-regarded DACs and developed the opinion that audiophile DACs fell into one of two camps: (1) fast, excellent PRAT, “detailed” sounding (although that’s not a good description, as we will see) and “ethereal”; and (2) powerful, dynamic, full-bodied and somewhat impressionistic."
" In my system the Bricasti M1 completely obliterates the distinction between these two DAC camps. "
" The tonality of every difficult instrument to reproduce – pianos, violins, cymbals, etc. – was excellent. Every instrument, including vocals of every type, sounded natural. Tony Bennet, Diana Krall, Pavarotti, Mick Jagger, Patricia Barber and every other famous voice I played sounded very good and lifelike. At no time did anything sound like something else, and there was no confusion between upper standup bass and the lower registers of the cello, electric bass and electric guitar, mellotron and organ, etc. Quite refreshing."
"Finally, a note on power cords and footers. One of the pleasant things I noted about the Bricasti M1is that it sounded very good with a range of PCs. In addition, the existing feet of the M1 do a great job on their own. I eventually opted against using any aftermarket cones or discs. This can really make it easier to justify the purchase. I did not need to search for a “perfect” matching power cord or footers, both which would add considerably to the overall cost."
" the Bricasti M1 is an elite DAC regardless of price. Instead, I was looking for an analogy outside the audiophile world. I came across a review of the Bricasti where the reviewer stated that “the M1 is an understated performer, one that doesn’t necessarily scream for attention.” I understand exactly what he meant, though I would add some clarification. The Bricasti M1 is “understated” in the sense that Jackie Robinson made baseball look easy and Stevie Ray Vaughn made playing blues guitar look easy. They may have made it look easy, but you knew you were in the presence of greatness. That’s the Bricasti M1."
|
If the Bricasti M1 is half as good as the hype, I'll be very happy and it will be my last purchase for several years. |
Thanks, essentialaudio, for the link.
Great review from an independent pro. |
Here's another review :-
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/f11523ec-209f-4462-a057-ccbee428e8a1 |
And another :-
http://www.audiostream.com/content/bricasti-design-m1-dac |
Jon2020, thanks for the links. I had not seen the Australian review.
Bricasti's Brian Zolner and Damon Gramont will be here in Chicago at the AXPONA show in late April, showing in room 422. |
Essentialaudio,
Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, won't be anywhere near the windy city come April. Will most certainly miss those great sunset views from the John Hancock when I was last there.
Cheers! J. |
I know it's crazy but the more I read the reviews, the more I feel I'm going to be let down by the Bricasti M1. Yes, I've had the opportunity to listen to the M1; however not in my own system. The fear isn't that it won't sound good, but that it isn't significantly better than the DSD. |
See my post 2-10-15. Told you PS was all hype. I buy everything wholesale and try it. So my pride of purchase does not get in the way of the truth. The chase is the big fun in this hobby anyway. After the music, of course. |
Ricred1, you are reading and worrying too much. Step away from the computer, listen, and relax. :-) |
I posted this previously in an older thread. This may be the more current and appropriate one. So, please excuse the duplication.
There are numerous ventilation openings throughout the Bricasti casework. This leads me to believe that the unit runs very hot. Can anyone confirm how much heat the unit produces at idle? For example, how long are you able to hold your hand on it?
I am asking because this affects not only placement but circuit longevity. Many DAC's have no ventilation openings because they are not required. |
I felt the exact same as you. As I wrote about it earlier and was kind of the reason I started this thread. There is nothing subtle or even remotely close about these two DACS. It took a 100 hours or so for the M1 to start changing / improving and man did it change / improve. I still can not believe how good this M1 is and maybe its just my mind at this point but I swear it is still getting better and better. It pulverizes the DS I hate to speak this way because I loved my DS and it was better than so many other DACs I heard in its price and ones that are a lot more. The DS is a great DAC and so good that I thought really how much better can a DAC be? The DS is great / fantastic and it takes an all world / some say the best at any price to better it plus it cost almost twice as much so it should be better. All the other DACs near its price lose to the DS hands down IMO but the Bicasti is not in its price and not in its performance range and you'll see and be super happy. Its also a lot warmer DAC which will help even more with your SS based system...
On another note I was listening to the incredible Lampi Big7. The Bricasti is better. It is different but that doesn't matter the Bricasti is better.. |
Aolmrd1241,
I have reinstalled the Pikes Peak FW and all is very well now with this upgrade. |
Glad the pikes peak is working well for you. I found the pikes peak to be a real nice upgrade in my system. I really like it.. Congrats... |
Hey guys for those of you using a computer with usb cables. I know I need to improve my transport and upgrade from a pc and plan to when I have more funds but I have a nice cheap tweak/mod for you guys to try if you haven't already.
I have been using the JRiver MC 19 and Jplay. Jplay was a nice add and then I was using the fee Fidelizer. I thought that was a little bump in SQ but I decided to upgrade to Fidelizer pro it was like $60 and they built and emailed it to me in like 3 hours. It was a nice little upgrade for sure and real cheap and I wanted to share with you guys. A well worthwhile little add for cheap. It basically turns a bunch of non audio stuff off on your pc and I really like it and wanted to share with you guys.
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Hello Sabai. Glad to hear you are now enjoying the PP OS. Can you explain how a reinstall of PP can make such a drastic change when you were committed to 1.2.1? Do you think that your previous try's were corrupted in some way? Thanks... |
Aolmrd1241,
A number of people have had problems installing the PP FW. I think there was some corruption of some kind somewhere but I have no idea what this might have been. I am just glad that things have finally worked out with PP. |
Congrats I've owned the brucastibfor 2 years now and think nothing can beat it! Plus Brian Z is absolutely customer friendly Vic |
Zugisland,
Have you tried the DS DAC? |
As I'm sure most of you know this but just in case for those that may not know or are new to ps audio direct stream downloads you should create a new empty folder on your computer / desktop and then save the update and put it in this folder. Then make sure you use a proper software tool to unzip/extract the files from this folder. Only after they are properly extracted should you then transfer those extracted only files on the little memory card that you are going to put in the DAC. I had read many people tried using the unzipped files as the download and it won't work that way... You mush unzip them first and It's just little thing but I wanted to mention it as may be helpful... |
Fsmithjack,
Is your M1 connected directly to your amp? If so, or if you have tried it direct, I would love to hear your thoughts? |
I am always suspect when someone uses the phrase "kills it" when describing sound differences between two comparable pieces of equipment. I personally think transport to DAC synergy is very important to obtaining good sound. I think the Linux based Antipodes-gear is fantastic using the Ipeng interface. Initially I had the Antipodes DS Reference which is fantastic heard the DX version and immediately upgraded my unit. I like the flac file format Antipodes uses, it also helped me with my little Astell & Kern AK 120 as I used the flac files backed up from my Antipodes and loaded them to the 120.
I am sure the Bricasti is a better sounding DAC based on the reviews, but I'm going to stick with the PS DS because of the upgrade path and their ability to close the gap on the competition very quickly. I also put some Synergistic ECTs and a big red fuse, switched out a Verastarr Grand Illusion copper cable and inserted their silver Grand Illusion Signature, which for me took the sound up a whole mother level. I'm sure if I inserted the Bricasti it would be mind blowing, for me right now the PSA DS and Antipodes DX is a phenominal combination. I heard Steve's Empirical DAC at a show and the system sounded phenominal to say the least, I am willing to bet it will give all the Dacs in this thread a run for their money |
I don't see anything wrong with saying one DAC is just plain better than another.
For example, no one has qualms about saying the DirectStream is better than the PWD Mkii in absolutely every way, even though they're substantially different topologies. Similarly, saying the REF75 is in all ways superior to the REF110, I suspect, would be perfectly acceptable as well.
If that's right, then why is it an issue to claim the M1 is far superior to the DS? |
Ricred1
How are you? I like the Bricasti M1 Direct to the amps so much that I am making a deal to trade my amps and my pre which I really like for better amps to drive direct. I am headed down non pre lane. I think with my current amps and pre I would say I like it a tad better with my pre but I think its because my pre is better than my amps. My amps are a bit too warm. Always welcomed and enjoyed their warmth but that was with brighter gear. Kinda needed that warmth to deal with brighter, not as resolved gear. I now am after a more neutral amp to get a closer more intimate sound. This is all from a pre lover. The pre used to be my favorite item but really because it helped pick up source imo. I am not sure I can call it heading down no pre lane because the M1 really is a DAC/Pre combo. It is not a popped in volume control by any stretch rather it is an outstanding well executed, duel mono output stage that has me putting my ARC Reference pre up on the trading block. I can always add a pre later if I go through pre withdrawals but my Bricasti is still breaking in and still sounding better. I think before I will revisit the pre I want to make a good run at improving my transport. Looking forward to that when I scrape up some more funds :) |
Fsmithjack,
I'm doing fine. I'm still nervously awaiting the arrival of my M1. I will have it at the beginning of next week. As you know, I don't have a preamp and decided to sell the DSD instead of purchasing a preamp. I hope the M1 is my answer and it provides a fuller, more natural sound than the DSD direct. |
I can say in my current system my pre does add weight and body which I like and prefer but there are trade offs. Like most things in audio there is always a what goes up must come down thing but this is Bricasti with a pre vs Bricasti w/o pre with my super warm amps the pre leans them out a bit but not compared to DS. With the DS in my system I found my ARC essential and no comparison to not having it with the DS. With Bricasti the pre is more of a preference. Take it or leave it as one adds here and takes there type of thing and its just about a push with a tad leaning toward pre for now... I bet with a better transport I would prefer no pre even with current amps but that's my gut not proof talking. Looking forward to a more neutral and substantial amp direct and for that matter with a upgraded transport then we should be cooking with gas : )... |
There is a pair of Lamm 2.1 Hybrids that are mostly SS with one 6922 in each mono block. Any of you guys familiar with these? Was just wondering if a tube lover would like these amps and thought to reach out to you guys. Thanks |
Fsmithjack,
Respectfully suggest you start a new thread on the amp topic rather than hijack this one.
FWIW, I own a pair of the Lamm M2.1 hybrids you mention and would be happy to discuss them on another thread or by PM if you prefer.
Back to the DACs, the M1 is one of the best I've heard. Would think it would be close between the two and would require a long listen on same rig to draw a meaningful conclusion. Cheers
Spencer |
A customer with a DS recently borrowed the Bricasti M1 and emailed me almost immediately upon hooking it up, shortly afterward deciding he wants an M1.
I suspect upsampling everything to high rate DSD and then downsampling, using filters you have to make, PCM sources such as 96 kHz may be very compromised.
Dealer disclosure. |
Hi Spencer, Not sure I can highjack my own thread but I get your point.
I threw it out there on here because I listed my entire system earlier and have spoke about my amps as well and a bunch of the guys/gals that have provided input to this thread have opinion's I really value. In the event any of them knew anything about the Lamm amps I thought to take a shot in the dark here rather than starting a new thread in the amps section where I may not have gotten to them but I agree that I should just keep it to the DACS so my bad there...
That said with the 2 DACs at hand the DS and the M1 there is no long session needed imo.
I went into that in detail earlier on so no need to beat a dead horse on that point.
The DSD is a fantastic DAC and IMO the absolute best in its price range and it is much better than many more expensive ones as well but the M1 is lot more money. All that extra money gives the designer a distinct advantage and he doesn't have to deal with the bean counters nipping at the parts bin like the less expensive ones do.
The M1 is the best digital I have ever heard and once broken in I found it breath taking.
I love this quote which sums up how I feel:
Once I hit play, those cocky words "game over" did do a full frontal assault number quite without volition. When you're in the presence of better than you're used to by a significant enough margin, it takes no time at all to recognize it. |
Fsmithjack, Okay, understood & fair enough. So to your question "Was just wondering if a tube lover would like these amps..."
Yes! Having previously owned BAT VK150SEs, Atmasphere MA1s, Dehavilland Aries 845s, Berning ZH270, VTL ST80 and probably some other that is slipping my mind, the Lamm hybrids have plenty of appeal to tube lovers.
Benefits include the expected impact on dynamics and low end control and the ability to drive almost any speaker (claimed down to 1ohm load although I never tried that!). However most noticeable and commented on by guests is realistic rendering of drums, something that isn't particularly high on my priority list, but with these amps adds an uncanny rendering that is always a pleasant surprise.
Above comments based on use in my posted system including driving Nola Viper Reference IIIs. Also worth noting using Amperex Bugle Boys 6922s and have also enjoyed Brimars & Tungsrams. Suspect Tungsol 7308s and Telefunkens would also show their unique strengths given the opportunity. Cheers,
Spencer |
