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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
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
899bk
22 posts
 
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.
bpwalsh
1,195 posts
 
Ricred1, you are reading and worrying too much. Step away from the computer, listen, and relax. :-)
fsmithjack's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
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..
kodak805
73 posts
 
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.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Aolmrd1241,

I have reinstalled the Pikes Peak FW and all is very well now with this upgrade.
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