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
I have been using the PWT with my DS dac via a Platinum Starlight 7 hdmi cable and the combo is outstanding,especially now with Huron OS,which is a ’mandatory’ update. The PWT has served me faithfully and I have zero complaints or issues with it. People who upgraded are saying the new memory transport is even a bigger bump in sound quality yet. I see one in my future, as funds permit... Go to PS Audio website/forums/reviews and read the info that is presented to get a better feel for the two transports performance parameters in question.
Also,the DMP can do ’native dsd’ via sacd... for an even bigger uptick in sound quality if you use the DS dac with it... via hdmi connection.
Do any of you gals/gals own the PS Audi Perfect Wave Transport / Memory Player?
I am looking to pick one up to spin some of my many discs that I have not used in quite some time.
I use the micoRendu / Uptone Audio JS-2, 2x LPS-1, Regen combo and its great and I am getting my Bricasti M1SE upgraded to accept the Ethernet direct like the PS Audio Bridge does but I still would like to pick up a good silver disc spinner to use as well.
The PSA Transports have come down a lot in price with Paul flooding the market like he seems to do but that is not the transports fault and everyone always said it is great.
Is it still competitive with the microRendu / Auralic / Lumin / Aurenders of the world or has the servers just gotten so good that they have left the little silver disc in the dust?
I would like to still spin some discs and would love to hear from people that own both / owned both / heard both or could provide some feedback. I could just spend the money on another power cable or something. I consistently find Audiogon member feedback very accurate. Thank you
Thanks David - I appreciate the feedback. I look at it pretty simply really! I think my simple and focused view will be appreciated by the readers of this post be they be the PS Audio Owners / Bricasti Owners and most of the other Audiogon members! I want a $16,000 component to sound clearly and simply better than a $10,000 component. If it does then I want it and if it doesn't then I don't. I'm ok with whatever it's called pre/controller/DAC w/volume control is ok and no matter. It's the bottom line I'm after. The sound - just looking to up the game of my rig and make every dollar provide ROI in SQ advancement. No more - no less - anything else is just something else and subordinate to this goal. I'm sure it does sound better. I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that I'm just trying learn from people that own / have heard it. I was talking to Brian the other day. There is none better and I'm sure when there are more owners and some reviews of this great item people will love it. He has put in an amazing - discreet - duel mono output stage with a pure R2R volume control that's to die for. The M1SE is an incredible DAC so if it takes that sounds and mates to the above output stage and volume control I'm sure it's outstanding but it's long money so just trying to get as much info as I can. I'm working with my Bricasti dealer to work a trade in deal to get one. No one has any yet to go listen to anywhere near me hence my impatient post. Didn't mean to come off like a terd I appreciate the feedback and input. Thanks
I would definitely see if you can demo an M12 and/or have a conversation with Brian about his design goals.. I'm sure you're aware, he's very accessible. Bricasti calls the M12 a "source controller," not a preamp. From my perspective, the fact that it sounds almost exactly like the M1 is spot on. But then again, the topic of what a preamp can/should do in a system is a large and contentious one. Clearly you have your own perspective and should evaluate the M12 on your own terms. --- David
Hmmm - I know my M1SE sounds much better with a good preamp in my opinion. I know the DACs are the same and DSD is different but it's $6,000 more so I was hoping overall the new R2R preamp was a substantial / big SQ upgrade. I mean a $6000 preamp after the M1SE would be a big deal and used you can get a pretty serious pre for that price. So you think for Listening to Digital PCM files they are very close with M12 just a bit warmer? I appreciate the feedback but is that accurate? So you wouldn't say that the new M12 is a big overall upgrade when listening to PCM? This is helping me decide. I am surprised I would have thought Brians preamp would be a game changer and take it to a TOTAL other - game changing type of level. It's double the price of the base M1? I am glad I asked because I would much rather upgrade my M1SE with the Network Player and get a serious preamp or top notch integrated for the extra $6,000 - $6000 can go pretty far on Audiogon if able to find the right deal! Thanks again
Hi --The M12 has the same DAC & supporting architecture (i.e., internal power supplies, etc.). They are really, really, very close in that regard. The M12 has an analog volume control for both the digital and analog sections -- it is a delight to use & sounds great. It is an electronic resistor ladder. Brian thinks (& I agree) it adds a very slight touch of warmth vs. the "purity" of the digital control on the M1. The M12 has a re-designed DSD filter that I can't explain but definitely sounds better than the M1SE. The M12 only has 2 PCM filter choices minimum and linear. I didn't ask Brian about that, but I suspect the extra choices weren't worth the bother for most users. Count me in that category. Those are the differences I can recall now. I'll check later at home to see if I forgot any. Hope that helps. -- David
Thanks so much David! I love my M1SE but been trying to find away to swing a M12. It is a lot more money than the M1SE. With my M1SE I use a nice preamp. Do you think the M12 is MUCH better than the M1SE in your opinion hearing them both. I really want a M12 and would use as my DAC and Preamp but would love to here from a owner and one that knows both well. Does the M12 have all the filters the M1 has always had Linear and Minimum filters? If it is that much of an upgrade I need to find a way to swapping around some gear and get one! Love to hear your thoughts. I'm fixing to pick up a PS Audio transport for Discs also as they have come down a lot and I'm told they are great and I have nothing now for spinning the good old silver discs.
I believe you saw my comments on the other thread about the M12. I did hear the M1SE with the new network card, and it was very much the same as with the m12 -- spectacular. Better, in my system, than the network bridge, the mRendu and the SOTM 200 (the latter 2 powered with the LPS1 from uptone). Obviously I haven't tried all the psu combinations, but in my mind that is another advantage of the card -- you lose all the clutter of extra gear and cords! I will reiterate my core belief: nothing can be gained (conceptually) translating LAN signals to USB/Spdif, just to have them translated back to I2S for the DAC. Better to go right from LAN protocol to I2S, if possible. DAC network cards make that possible. -- David
Thanks David - have you heard the new Bricasti card upgrade for the Bricasti M1SE? I would love to hear from anyone that has tried it.
I was using the Auralic Aries /Duel Femto Clocks with SBooster Linear Power Supply and Ultra Filter (I still own this set up) and it sounded very good but it just kept dropping and dropping again over and over and it drove me nuts so I picked up a microRendu set up to try.
The microRendu by itself is decent / not bad / not great / a bit thin but a competent and airy sounding unit. The Aries / SBooster sounded better, fuller more resolving and fuller for sure but boy can the
microRendu
be drastically improved by how you power it. I mean as in a 1,000 times better, so much better I can't believe the sound I am getting. When they say night and day, jaw dropping, game changer this is what they speak to.
For the
microRendu
I purchased this combo to go with it:
Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply
Uptone Audio
LPS-1 Super Capacitor Linear Power Supply
Uptone Audio Regen (I have the newest ISO Regen on order)
The set up requires two USB cables. It comes with cheap ones to get you going.
I already owned the amazing Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB Cable. I use this to go from the microRendu to the Uptone Regen.
Curious USB Extender. I use this to attach the Regen to the Bricasti. I have heard of the Regen but never thought it was necessary with the Aries but boy I was wrong. Huge impact even with the Aries.
Adding the combo of gear to above to the microRendu has been nothing short of utterly amazing. I am not sure it is this gear maybe as much as how this gear puts the Bricasti M1SE in position to truly shine but the combo is absolutely world beating.
I fear Brian's new Card Upgrade will not be as good but than again who knows - maybe it will be better.
I mean I have not A&B all the stuff out there but I am telling you guys in my rig but this combo has to be better - maybe much better than the 3k to $7k servers out there from the likes from Antipodes, Aurender, Lumin, Auralic. I am blown away how good it sounds and how much the 2 - power supplies improved the sound. I made a couple of home brew DC cables that go from the Power Supplies to both the microRendu and the Regen out of Audioquest Type 4 Speaker cable which is a solid core cable. It was awesome. My Rethm Saadhana V3 Speakers and my Bricasti seem to really highlight and expose and even the little changes. One of the many things I love about these components.
I know tons of people out there have tried / used / own / heard the microRendu but you have not heard anything if you have not tried these power supplies with the Regen. I am so blown away I had to share with you guys.
Who knows maybe Brian's is better and I will be selling all this gear on Audiogon but I would love to hear from anyone that has heard the new Bricasti Streamer option.
I have been thinking about picking up a half decent but nothing really expensive unit to spin some disc's and thought to check out SACD spinners if they can be fed into my Bricasti. Because I am not positive about the results I wanted a decent - competent spinner but not real expensive. Has anyone of you guys used a decent disc spinner to your dac that is really good and competes with your hi rez files? PS Audo has always seemed to offer great flexibility. I would think SACD's being able to feed a strong DAC might have a demand. Thanks
I believe that the PS Audio DSMP will only play the DSD stream from SACDs when connected via I2S to their own DirectStream DAC, but not when connected to other DACs like the Bricasti. Some other DACs like the Bryston BDA-3 will play the DSD stream from SACDs when connected to a suitable player via HDMI. With the Bricasti you can of course play DSD files which have been ripped from SACDs, but I'm not aware of a direct SACD disc playback option. Hope this helps.
Guys - is there anyway via any type of work around that makes sense to spin SACD disc's via a disc transport and feed it to my Bricasti to play the SACD materiel? Are any of you PS Audio guys doing this at all? Was wondering if it is possible and if so is anyone is doing it and if so how? Thanks guys/gals
An update regarding MQA support on the PS Audio Bridge II, they are still working on getting MQA approval and may be able to implement full MQA decoding, it’s uncertain at this point according to their forum. Sounds like they may release their Huron firmware without MQA support initially.
@ozzy - From what I’ve read on the PS Audio forums I believe that with their upcoming Huron firmware the Bridge will support MQA Core (the first unfolding) but is not able to handle the necessary processing for full MQA decoding.
Thanks aolmrd1241 - I am going to read that now :)
bill_k - are they shipping these M5's yet? These look amazing. I came across this info about the Bricasti M5 render or streamer online that sounds amazing
"
The M5 Network Player provides the user with the ability to take any DAC, like our M1 and get it
connected to a high quality audio network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and connect to your DAC without using
USB.
This uncompromising designed renderer is based on our M12 source controller which has this
feature built in, and now available in the M5 as a complete stand-alone product. When combined with our
M1 or any other DAC the M5 will take digital to a new level of uncompromising clarity."
Has anyone heard another about how the streamer / render sounds in the M12? I guess it is pretty much the same thing so wanted to know if anyone has heard anything. I have been struggling for a render / streamer. I have tried a few of the decent one Auralic, SotM, HTPC, etc?
According to reports from AXPONA where the new Bricasti M5 was first shown, it will retail for $2,000. I also read elsewhere that its functionality may be available as an optional update to M1 DACs by the addition of a new internal board for $1,000. Hope this helps!
Hey tdimler - no way... I had not heard or seen anything on
the new Bricasti M5 network player
at all before you kindly told me about it?
How much is the new Bricasti M5 network player
? Any info on it? I want one! This looks amazing. Do you or anyone else out there know anything more about it ? Anything would be super appreciated!
It looks awesome !!! I hope its not too expensive because I want one bad!!!
One thin for sure about the PS Audio Directstream that makes me real jealous as a Bricasti M1 Owner is the transport. The Directstream has that great bridge which is great. Love the sound of my Auralic Aries with Duel Femto clocks with the great SBooster Linear Power supply and Ultra filter and the great Tellurium Q Black Diamond USB cable but on my fios network it drops out all the time and drives me nuts! Man, what are any of you guys using for steamers or transports? I need to make a change and would love some feedback / advice about what you guys are using?
Hulk, how do you like the SE upgrade now. I found it gets much better. The new Caps need a while to burn in as well as the new wiring. I am curious as to your thoughts and/or anyone else about the SE upgrade after a couple months of good old burn in. I love mine. I found it gets much better over time... I have switched tons of gear over the past few years, tons, a couple full rig remakes and just couldn't get a rig to stick but man this DAC and my currant incredible speakers (Rethm Saadhana V3) and my amp, a DHT Triode SET amp the (Triode Labs
2A3SE-FFX DHT SET) are just so much better than anything I have ever owned and better anything else I have heard since anywhere else. I am looking to upgrade my preamp though :). Always something :)
Also, the new version is installed when I received the unit. V1.38. I asked Brian and he said it is the current production version, just some minor bug fixes from v1.32. No improvement in sound quality apparently.
I recently upgraded the Bricasti M1 to the SE version. The sound is slightly different. Female vocal and high frequency sound becomes a lot more "clear" and transparent. The bass is also stronger/tighter. However, the mid range / mid bass seems to lose a bit of the 'organic' body. Maybe it sounds a touch too clear. Although, this is fresh out of the box after the upgrade, I'll let it run in a bit more to do more extensive listneing.
"This looks awesome - OK so to summarize so I buy the Oppo BDP-103 and this board the Vanity 103HD DoP board and install it myself then just use it as a cd transport?"
Well, that’s the idea as I understand it from what I read, anyway. Of course you don’t need the Vanity board unless you actually play SACD’s as well as CD’s.
As far as my personal system goes, I prefer digital files, with just the occasional CD. So I’m sticking with the Marantz, but the Oppo / Vanity combo sounds like a cool idea if you’re into SACD discs.
If you have any questions about compatibility with your DAC, etc. you should direct them to JVB Digital.
As for the other stuff, I don’t have any experience with the hardware / software you mention, so I’ll leave that to someone else.
This looks awesome - OK so to summarize so I buy the
Oppo BDP-103
and this board the Vanity 103HD DoP boardand install it myself then just use it as a cd transport?
Any cable recommended with this combo to connect this to my Bricasti M1SE?
Can it play other stuff like stream files or anything like that?
I stream files and with my digital stuff I have listed below and I still use JRiver 21 because I think it sound better than the
Auralic
DS Lightning App but I have nothing to spin CD's on and what I have is decent / competent but I can't help but think there are some better options out there and I would like to try some discs. What do you think? Thanks
Auralic Aries w/ Duel Femto Clocks Stereophile CLASS A (Japan) SBooster BOTW Linear Pwr. Supply ( for Auralic Aries ) (Netherlands)
HiDiamond P3 AC Power Cable 1.0M (Auralic Aries) (Italy)
The following information is under the comments tab:
"The installation of the Vanity103HD module is very easy and fully reversible. No soldering or back panel drilling is necessary. Module is designed to simply replace the original analog output board of the OPPO BDP-103."
"The Vanity103HD DoP module has selectable SACD playback when in DoP mode. DoP stands for "DSD over PCM" and this method allows to send raw DSD stream in standard 24bit PCM frames at 176.4kHz over SPDIF. More details about the method can be found here: http://dsd-guide.com/sites/default/files/white-papers/DoP_openStandard_1v1.pdf"
Mysticriver awesome info I am reading it now. When I owned DS I found the transport mattered but the one you have is a solid - good one. I would like to try that 103 with the upgrade board. Can I just buy that board and put it in or does it need a pro to put it in? Thx
You asked about transports and speakers; there is something cool I can share, although not really about my own system, which is nothing special.
I listen mostly to classical music ripped to lossless files stored on my Mac Pro. I play these with VLC software running on macOS Sierra. I usually rip new CD’s immediately but otherwise use a Marantz CD6000OSE CD player. This elderly player sounds excellent routed through my DS. Ted Smith has claimed that all transports sound the same with the DS DAC because it does not rely on timing from the source which could cause jitter. Maybe his opinion will change now that PSA has introduced the DS Memory Player. With ability to deliver full SACD resolution to the DS via encrypted I2S, that transport sounds like the new SOTA.
As for speakers, I listen near-field via a pair of Wharfedale Opus 2 M2’s. Alternatively, I switch to Altec-Lansing Valencia 846b’s that mated well with my previous all-tube system. PSA CEO Paul McGowan doesn’t like horns but I think the Valencias sound fine within their limits. I also listen to Audeze LCD-2 headphones through the headphone section of the BHK preamp.
That’s my stuff, but maybe the question should be “what transport and speakers are best?”
To begin addressing this I wondered what choices Ted Smith made for his personal system, which led me to this page where he listed all his equipment.
As I write this, Ted has not updated the list for over a year, so take it with a grain of salt. He may well have updated the preamp, amp, and transport with PSA equipment by now. But regarding the transport especially his choice is quite remarkable! In this list Ted is using an Oppo BDP-103 updated to include a Vanity 103HD DoP analog board. The unique feature of this board is that it outputs full multichannel SACD digital for connection to the DAC of your choice. This is huge as it somehow bypasses Sony’s encryption which normally prevents the Oppo from outputting full SACD digital.
Ted uses his Oppo BDP-103 with a Vanity 103HD DoP to drive no less than THREE DS DAC’s for full surround sound. The story of how he came to adopt this system is documented in the following PSA forum thread:
So, yeah, there’s that to look forward to. In the meantime, I am basking in a new CD set (Marie-Catherine Girod - Mendelssohn Complete Works for Solo Piano). The Marantz player may not be SOTA but the DS DAC makes it sing like a nightingale!
My dealer recommended the PS Audio DirectStream & Bricasti DAC, said to me that they are "different sounding" but very "comparable".
I bought the DirectStream DAC from him, and am glad I did, as I've applied four firmware upgrades, since my purchase over two years ago. I selected the PS Audio, in part because it was FPGA-based, so firmware updates would improve the performance of the DAC, not just modify the "features".
Having said that, I think either one would "float one's boat", they both seem to be strong sellers in their price range.
Guys - can anyone speak to the new Bricasti M1 SE upgrade out there and PS Audio's new upgrade? I know PS Audio has excellent software upgrades much more frequently than Bricasti offers upgrades and wanted to see what you guys think? I've heard the latest PS Audio upgrade is killer and was wondering if the M1SE upgrade is on par or close or better or not as good? Pretty impressive how PS Audio continually evolves their DAC with Teds evolution friendly platform!
I have read this thread all the way through and I must say it is a fascinating story, filled with drama, suspense, and a lot of great information.
I am a recently retired software engineer who has loved music for many decades, along with the pursuit of excellent equipment to enable an optimum listening experience.
When I was 11 years old I built an Arkay integrated stereo tube amplifier from a kit. In college I had a Dynaco amp with AR-3 speakers. Over the years I have had a series of tube and solid-state equipment, constantly upgrading in search of better sound.
I bought a PS Audio DirectStream DAC last year and have been amazed at each OS release from Pikes Peak through Yale Final and now Torrey's. This DAC has been a series of delights with each upgrade and I have no doubt the best is yet to come.
Since I liked the DS so much, I ended up buying a PS Audio BHK 250 amp and BHK preamp also, along with a PS Audio P10 Power Regenerator to power all of it. Every new component was a revelation with the P10 perhaps the most surprising of all since I had no idea how much pure A/C power could do to improve the musical experience.
When I damaged a connector on the DS a couple of months ago I called PSA and they gave me an RMA number without question. They fixed it for free and shipped it back via priority shipping within 3 days.
My BHK preamp is registering 592 hours and 30 minutes of tube time and
still the system continues to improve. The synergy of all PSA
components working together is absolutely marvelous.
With all the discussion of mixing and matching various components, of questions, expectations, trials, and disappointments, I thought it might be helpful to describe a different approach. By choosing all components from one manufacturer designed, developed and tested to work together, I have finally stopped worrying about improving my system and am simply reveling in the joy of
music.
Sorry, I didn’t give any details... I have the Bricasti M1 SE that has all the latest upgrades, now including the v1.32 software upgrade. It really is a great sounding and very well made product and the Bricasti folks have been very nice to me. I bought my unit used, here on Audiogon, and had the seller send it directly to Bricasti for the full SE treatment. It looks like I missed the v1.32 software upgrade by a month or so, but the Bricasti folks sent me the upgrade free this week just because I asked about it. While my unit was at Bricasti, I asked them to look at the top cover, which the seller noted had a smudge he was afraid to try and remove. I authorized Bricasti to replace it, at their discretion, but apparently a little Simple Green in the deep sink was all it took and I didn’t have to buy a new top. What a refreshingly honest company, with caring and conscientious employees! I wish all the companies I dealt with were like Bricasti.
Hey folks, i just got my Bricasti v1.32 software upgrade in the mail today. It comes on a little memory chip attached to a small PCB with a board connector. You have to take the cover off of the top of the unit and install the chip, power it up and let it install. Then you power down, remove the chip and close everything up and power back on. The SyncFine setting is indeed better on all fronts in my setup. What an exceptional software upgrade and the folks at Bricasti are really great to work with.
Guys anything on the Bricasti M1 SE upgrade and/or software version is 1.32 that features SyncWide or SyncFine that they say has a phat impact!
Next week is a "Huge" week for my audio hobby. Will be getting my M1 back with SE upgrade and my freshly minted VPI Prime turntable that Harry is mounting my Haniwa Cart on. Harry just sent me the the tracking numbers last night - Going to have a lot time in front of my full range, crossover-less drivers next week for sure :) I'm Psyched !!!!
My DAC is at Bricasti with Joe and Brian getting the SE upgrade as we speak. It was dropped it off yesterday - one of the nice things about living near the manufacture.
Guys I read on another site about one of the features to the newest version of the M1 software. I will paraphrase some of the writing I read on another site:
"the software version is 1.32, first press Status on the front panel several times until you see either SyncWide or SyncFine, and then rotate the knob to change from one to the other" "
Once the display shows one of those modes you can toggle the choice from your listening chair to listen for the differences. The SE upgrade by itself is something, but the SyncFine setting is even better -- bigger soundstage, everything more distinct and 3D. Spooky. It will be interesting to get customers' reactions when they hear the comparisons between those modes and between the SE and the standard version."
What do you guys think - has anyone tried this or heard this? It sounds awesome and would love some feedback or more info about this. The guy said at the time he was the first one who had it and this was back in March so I wanted to share and get any feedback on it if possible because it sounds awesome!
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