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Bricasti M3 In the house

Just got a Bricasti M3 with the Ethernet renderer module. Looking forward to breaking this piece in. First impressions are: it’s a winner. I am curious what ways folks who have this DAC (or other Bricasti models) run it; over ethernet or USB? I will report my findings as the days tick by; Right now it’s cooking on ethernet out of my InnuOs Zenith MKIII into an ether-regen into the M3;
Thanks!
Dave
128x128dpac996

Showing 8 responses by hgeifman

hgeifman
2,108 posts
 

My Ayre Codex DAC was excellent, but the unit was getting old and I wanted to try something else.  At that time Bricasti, just announced the M3 DAC.  After several phone calls with my retailer, and Bricasti, I purchased the M3 DAC in January 2020.  It took time for the M3 to break in BUT it was light years BETTER than the Ayre Codex DAC.   

Please note this is a 2-channel home theatre system.  My LG OLED TV connects to the M3 DAC and then balanced XLR cables to my SimAudio 340i integrated amplifier that connects to my PMC Twenty5.21 speakers. 

I like this system very much and highly recommend you consider the Bricasti M3 DAC.  The addition of the Bricasti M3 DAC substantially improved the sound quality of this system.

I used the DH Labs Glass Master Toslink Cable from my LG OLED TV to my Bricasti M3 DAC.  


hgeifman
2,108 posts
 
I also ordered the MDx board for my Bricasti M21 DAC, they emailed me the invoice and I paid using Zelle. They received the funds in 3 seconds. The technology works. The MDx board is expected next week (I hope). And, yes, I asked Bricasti to confirm they received the funds and they did.

FYI: Zelle is a fast, safe, easy and contact-free way to send and receive money with friends, family and others you trust. You can receive money directly into your bank account in minutes. The setup is easy, you enter the person, or company name, and the phone number (or email address) and you are ready to go. The cost per transaction is zero (0). The funds transfer from you to the company you are paying and the transaction takes place in seconds. Please see list below of banks that support Zelle:

https://www.zellepay.com/get-started?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwOPTvrCv6gIVcT2tBh0b7QLLEAAYASAAEgIOivD_BwE



hgeifman
2,108 posts
 
I had someone install the MDx board in my Bricasti M21 DAC and it is working perfectly.  It was an easy install and took about 30 minutes.  After the install, we tested the M21 DAC using his equipment (Bricasti M28 power amplifiers).  My M21 worked great.  

It is now playing in my system.  I need to give it time to break-in but it does sound clearer, smoother with more musical details.  
hgeifman
2,108 posts
 

It was not easy, but I finally placed my SimAudio 700i integrated amp in bypass mode. It was not an easy process.

I am using the volume control on the Bricasti M21 DAC to control the volume. The sound is good but NOT light-years better than using the preamp. My ’gut reaction’ is it might not be as clear. The music does not seem as smooth. The Preamp might add more air. I am still doing more listening. Please stay tuned.

So, an hour later, as I stated above, when going direct, I felt the music was missing something. The music was not as open or engaging when going direct to my SimAudio amplifier. The music felt more closed in.

I switched back to preamp mode and everything was sounding right. The air and engaging factor were returned. The music sounded much better.

For my application, and setup, I believe the preamp is needed to help the music sound natural, clearer and engaging. My experiment is done, and I am keeping my SimAudio 700i integrated amp. Case closed.

I know that other people prefer going direct from a DAC to a power amplifier. Based on my audition, my decision is dependent on my equipment, my environment and how I listen to music. There is no right or wrong answer since it just depends on the individual.

So, the bottom line is you have to test Going from the DAC to your power amp in your system and then decide.  I prefer using a preamp for the best quality sound.  To me, the sound is flat, lifeless without a good preamp.  In my system, the preamp overall sound is dynamic, engaging, clearer, smoother and fuller. 

Please test and post your results. Everyone has different results and opinions on going direct to an amp using a preamp. 

hgeifman
2,108 posts
 
@rsf507, I like the Bricasti M21 DAC, including the MDx board upgrade, because it has the delta sigma and ladder DAC for PCM conversion. I like it fully differential design and its 'awesome' sound quality in my system.  

Perviously, I owned the Bricasti M1SE DAC and I believe the M21 sounds substantially better.  I use the ladder DAC setting but do switch back and forth.   I have both the Audience Au24 SE+ USB Cable and the Kubala-Sosna Emotion AES/EBU cable, Balanced XLR connected to my M21 DAC from my Aurender N10 Server but use the K-S AES/EBU cable most of the time.  It sounds slightly better to my ears.  

I also have the Bricasti M3 DAC in my home theatre 2-channel system and it is also excellent.    


hgeifman
2,108 posts
 
@ddafoe,  No.  My Bricasti M21 DAC is in my main audio system and the Bricasti M3 DAC is in my home theatre system that uses the LG OLED TV as the source.  My home theatre system was using the Ayre Codex DAC that I thought was excellent.  I then purchased the M21 DAC (main system) and moved my SimAudio 380 DAC from my main system to the home theatre system.   It was okay so I auditioned the Bricasti M3 DAC (no remote) and sold the SimAudio.  

The Bricasti M3 DAC is excellent and I felt sounded much better than my SimAudio 380 DAC.  As you know, everyone has a different opinion on what sounds good.  Audio is very strange hobby.  I agree with you that it is fun to "try a few other things".  

You might want to look at the Ayre CODEX DAC since it has excellent sound. Its list price is about $1,800 and I have seen them on Audiogon for sale around $1,000.  I am not familiar with the other DAC's you mentioned.  
hgeifman
2,108 posts
 
@ddafoe, Since your RaspberyPi with the S/PDIF output running Roon is sounding great, I seen no reason to replace it.  It is cost effective and is doing the job.   

As you posted, your goal is to "try a few new things".  I encourage you to try the RME DAC and also the Topping DAC.   You need to hear these DAC's in your system to determine how they sound.

If possible, I suggest you give the Ayre CODEX DAC a listen.   I temporarily used it in my main audio system and it sounded excellent.  It gets warm so it does need ventilation.   I suggest you use it balanced output to your amplifier since it will sound better with balanced outputs.    
hgeifman
2,108 posts
 

@garynospamm, please call Bricasti customer support and ask these questions. Please ask them to explain the upgrade options.

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