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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
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jwm
918 posts
 
I have the Bricasti SE with the new internal ethernet capable board. It takes the DAC to a new level. We are talking about analog like quality and tonality and ease that is fantastic. I bought the Total DAC d1 six with its built in ethernet board to compare. Vincent was real nice and honors a two week money back guarantee. No contest as the Bricasti stomped the Total DAC. The Bricasti throws a much bigger sound stage and is much more musical. The Total DAC is more hi fi sounding. The Total DAC did not better the Bricasti in any way. I was actually surprised at this because of all the positive reviews. I have heard other dac's with discrete resistors used as the conversion and was not impressed. Yes a chip beats the resistor. Power supply and analog stage is was important as far as I'm concerned. I did like the sound of the 110,000.00 discrete MSB dac but never heard it in my system. I don't even know if I would like it better than what I'm using. I still would not spend that much money even if it were half price; way too much for digital.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
I had the opportunity to hear the Bricasti SE and Total DAC d1 6 comparision in Jeff’s (JWM) system. I did not personally find the performance gap as wide as Jeff describes between the two highly regarded DACs. I am in agreement with the Bricasti SE being the better overall sounding and frankly not bettered by the Total DAC in any individual parameter.

The Total DAC sounds quite good to me but when compared directly to the Bricasti it falls a bit short. Surprising to me was the Bricasti is the more engaging and organic of the two. Given all that’s been written and said about the intrinsic "analogue" like character of R2R topology I thought the Total DAC would prove superior in this particular aspect. Listening proved otherwise. I will acknowledge that this was via ethernet where this DAC sounds better than USB at least in my opinion.

I’ve heard numerous R2R type Dacs over the past few years as well as delta sigma based products. My observation is that either can be implemented successfully and I don’t find R2R inherently superior as some others have stated . As Jeff mentioned above, analogue output stage, power supply quality and I/V conversion are of up most importance.

In my opinion too much emphasis can be placed on digital chips and choice of D to A conversion. Bricasti SE certainly demonstrated what delta sigma is capable of when high engineering and implanted standard’s are utilized.
Charles
joecasey
484 posts
 
@jwm
I have the Bricasti SE with the new internal ethernet capable board. It takes the DAC to a new level.
What server are you using with ethernet?
jwm
918 posts
 
I’m using a PC with J river. Ethernet cable is cat7 by Purist Audio.
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Sweet - do you use an Ethernet switch between your router and your Bricasti or hook right from router?

If you or anyone reading this doesn’t use a Ethernet switch I’m going to hook you guys up for cheap money:

Order this on Amazon for $20.00
Netgear GS108 Switch

also order a Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supply on eBay for $60 and any decent quality made in China 12v Linear Power Supply on EBay and you will psyched by the upgrade.

if you don’t feel like waiting 2 weeks to get from China then just grab a iFi 12v little power supply for $50 - I have both and like the China Linear Supply better.

Under $100 upgrade that makes your $12,000 DAC Sound much better.

This is a must add for anyone using Ethernet Audio.

Also, while your at it order 2 of the 12v power supplies and power your router also. So two 12v linear power supplies to power your new switch and your current router.

Also, when adding the Netgear switch you will need another Ethernet cable to run from router to switch. A great cheap one is the AudioQuest Forest that is like $30 for a short one. Decent enough and cheap.

Ethernet is the best because the noise crud from the PC is gone but adding a non managed gigabyte Ethernet switch helps and then getting clean power to run it helps a bit more and removing the switching mode power supply that powers your current router add more and the combo is a nice little tweak. Anyone with Ethernet Audio can get a nice little bump from these little tweaks :) 
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