I have no experience with this brand, but if you want to have DSD128 support (double DSD) it looks like you would need their 'Audiophilleo 1 Special Edition' model. All of their models support DSD64 via DoP.
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
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
Showing 33 responses by bill_k
Interesting post, as I own the Bricasti M1 and am intrigued by all the raves I'm hearing about the PS DirectStream. Have you installed the latest Pikes Peak OS firmware for the DS that was just released? It's supposed to be another significant step forward and it's free to try. I think that the only way to really know how these two great DACs compare would be to try them out simultaneously in your own system. Otherwise it's all simply speculation. Maybe someone out there has compared them side by side and could share their thoughts on the outcome. |
To be fair, the Bricasti has had several upgrades since its introduction that each made significant improvements to its level of performance. So when comparisons are being made it would be helpful to know whether it was against the latest version. Units with firmware v1.22 have all of the latest software and hardware upgrades which include DSD128 support. |
Glad to hear that your M1 DAC is continuing to improve and that it's already exceeding your admittedly high expectations! It should continue to evolve with more break-in time along with your new USB cable. It is indeed a superbly engineered and built example of what a high end audio component should be, along with Bricasti's excellent level of support. A product you can really be proud to own. |
Ricred1 - I can tell you that Bricasti has demoed their M1 DAC directly driving their new mono power amps at recent shows, and the sound has been reported by several reviewers as one of the best of the shows. So it has the capability to perform exceptionally well as a preamp - in the proper system. It will depend upon how well it matches the power amp you're using, as far as its input impedance and sensitivity. Unfortunately the only way to really know how well it will work in a specific system is to try it, as to whether you will like it as much as having an active linestage. Hope this helps at least a little bit with your search! Good listening. |
For PCM files Minimum Phase filter 0 is usually best, but some users also like MP filter 2. For DSD files it's a bit more complicated. DSD filter 0 is actually unfiltered, so ultrasonic noise from the DSD process is passed through unattenuated. DSD filters 1 and 2 provide different levels of noise filtering, so you really should try each in your system to determine the preferred setting. Enjoy your new M1 DAC! |
I recall that you had some concerns about making the change without being able to audition the M1 first in your system, and I'm now pleased to hear that your initial impressions are so favorable. It will only get better with break-in! You can continue to run the DAC locked onto a digital signal even with your amp turned off to help accelerate the break-in process. Just enjoy the tunes, it's a great DAC. |
Rather than pure pink noise, you might want to use the CASCADE burn-in track provided for free from TARA Labs. |
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. |
@fsmithjack - I see that the Bricasti M5 is now shown on their site: http://http//www.bricasti.com/en/consumer/m5.php but I don’t have any knowledge regarding their availability. @ozzy - From what I’ve read on the PS Audio forums I believe that with their upcoming Huron firmware the Bridge will support MQA Core (the first unfolding) but is not able to handle the necessary processing for full MQA decoding. |
I believe that the PS Audio DSMP will only play the DSD stream from SACDs when connected via I2S to their own DirectStream DAC, but not when connected to other DACs like the Bricasti. Some other DACs like the Bryston BDA-3 will play the DSD stream from SACDs when connected to a suitable player via HDMI. With the Bricasti you can of course play DSD files which have been ripped from SACDs, but I'm not aware of a direct SACD disc playback option. Hope this helps. |
Thought this new review of the Bricasti M1 Network Player would be of interest here. http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/bricasti-design-m1-network-player/ |
I'm also a happy user of the PS Audio PWT for many years, using it to play redbook CDs as well as high res PCM files up to 24/192 burned to DVD-R. However everything I've read from users who have tried the newer DMP is that it's a significant step forward in performance in addition to being able to play SACDs when paired with the matching DS DAC. |
@jburidan - With all due respect the Bricasti M1 DAC doesn’t even use a Sabre chip and never has (it uses a highly rated DAC from Analog Devices.) I also agree that there's much more to the sonic performance of a DAC than a particular chip being used, including among other things implementation of the power supplies, clock circuitry, analog stages, jitter, etc... |