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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
bill_k
882 posts
 
I run the PS Audio PerfectWave Transport into my Bricasti M1 DAC and find the combination to easily outperform my PC which has been optimized as a dedicated server feeding the M1 via USB. I recommend using the AES/EBU digital connection between the transport and DAC. The PWT also allows you to play back high resolution PCM files which have been recorded to DVD-R media (up to 24/192), and again the sonic quality is a definite step up from my PC server. Highly recommended and you can usually pick them up at a very good discounted price from dealers who purchased them in a package deal with the DS DAC.
bill_k
882 posts
 
I should also mention that several dealers have compared the PWT to other much more expensive competition and the PWT was found to play in the same league. It's a great value and at its best when combined with a high end DAC like the Bricasti.
wisnon
700 posts
 
FSmithJack,

I have tasted the audio elixir of the gods.

PC server with win12 AudioOptimizer in core mode, using JRiver to upconvert PCM/DSD to DSD256 feeding properly setup Bughead Emperor as the playback engine....WOW.

Reel to reel quality. Spinners begone! Bughead is magic.
ejr1953
895 posts
 
I've owned the PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for over a year and have the latest version of the firmware installed (Yale Final). I absolutely love the unit, especially the fact that the software updates improve the performance of the unit, not just modify the features.

The dealer who sold me the unit has been harping on me upgrading to the Bricasti, but instead, I spent my money on other upgrades.
ejr1953
895 posts
 
Aolmrd1241,

I have upgraded the firmware on my DirectStream DAC twice, since I purchased the unit new about a year ago.

The easiest way to do the upgrade is to purchase the SD card directly from PS Audio (I'm not sure it takes the new HDSD or HDXC cards).

To upgrade all you need to do is power the unit completely down (turn the power switch in the back of the unit "off"), insert the SD card into the slot, and when you power the unit back "on", it takes just a little while (less than a minute or so) and it does the update.

I've never found that any of the PS Audio updates mess with my settings, they've all gone smoothly, without any adverse side effects.
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