An Amp Nobody Talks About, Bricasti Design
I heard the Bricasti Design M25 driving Serblin Ketemas and was enchanted with the sound and build quality. Constructed in central Massachusetts I was expecting a price north of $25 K, but was surprised to find out that the MSRP was $18 K. I decided to buy one to drive the high frequency transformers of my Sound Labs ESLs. I put a 2 ohm resistor on one leg of the primary. Set the crossover for 1000 Hz and fired away. The amp shut itself off in 15 minutes and sounded strained. A measurement disclosed a low frequency ringing at the crossover point. I tried changing the crossover point and slope with no effect. Finally, I emailed Bricasti with a screen shot of the problem and Brian (Bri-casti) emailed me back and explained that with a completely balanced amp you have to put a resistor on both legs! Putting a 0.75 ohm resistor on each leg of the primary solved the problem entirely.
The Bricasti has a crystalline, airy sound characteristic of the best class A amplifiers. It is also completely bullet proof. It is driving a very low impedance reactive load without a sweat. If it is unhappy with anything it just shuts itself off. I destroyed a pair of JC 1s pulling the same stunt. The amp is a boat anchor. Every panel is CNCed from billet aluminum in house. There is no sheet metal in any of his units. The power supply is HUGE and the amp will continue doubling down to 2 ohms. It is putting out some 600 watts/ch into those transformers.
Brain is also very personable and very helpful. He is the company's chief designer. I have no problem recommending his equipment. First class all the way.
@yoyoyaya They are very proud of that unit. I live 20 minutes from the factory in Shirley, Massachusetts. When I went to pick up my amp I got the factory tour and I saw the M7s being constructed....by hand! In a separate building they have 4 very busy CNC machines and huge bins full of shavings that get recycled. Up to 80% of each billet winds up as shavings. What a way to build electronics. |
I have had the M25 for almost four years now and absolutely love it. I added the M12 in 2021 and just got the M19 transport. They sound awesome and Bricasti offers great customer service. They have upgraded my M12 to allow me to use the 12S connection between the M19 and M19, the combination is absolutely gorgeous. |
The other amp no one talks about is Vandersteen. I’ve not heard any Bricasti gear I’m afraid so I can’t compare, but the Vandersteen amps I’ve heard were amazing. Like @roxy54 says though, almost no one can afford them either. If anyone has a Bricasti DAC they want to send me for a long term (3-5 years) evaluation please let me know. 😁 |
@roxy54 Depends how you look at it. Next to products from Boulder, Constellation and others the Bricasti gear is reasonably priced. The M25 is in the same ballpark as Parasound JC 1+ which everyone thinks is a bargain. I destroyed a pair of JC 1s, but I can't destroy the M25. It just gives me the finger and shuts off. |
