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

Showing 9 responses by nglazer

68pete,

Whish PSA DSD upgrade are you referring to? When did it come out?

Thanks. I am a huge fan of this DAC.

Neal
Thanks Ricred1 and Bill_K,

I have ordered a few 2gb SD cards and will download and upgrade. as what I am reading says it is an audible improvement. Will report after this is done.

Neal
jbnachman,

FWIW, I have been luistening to digital music since the Magnavox CDB 650 (the first 16 bit machine) in the mid-'80's, and have been through countless DAC's. The PSA DSD is a dream machine once it burnms in, which does take a long time. You will hear the improvements after 100-200 hrs, but +400-500 you will hear how breathtaking it is.

It is PC and IC sensitive, so if you are have not already, I would ensure I had cabling equal to the DSD. Be patient and you will be amply rewarded.

Neal
Sabai,

Is the Yale firmware more recent than Pikes Peak? hard to keep uop with PSA. Thanks.

Neal
Thank you. I will try it. Pikes Peak is a bit too sharp and overly detailed for my tastes.

Neal
Sorry to interrupt all the stomping on the PSA DSD, but I recently loaded the Yale beta software and this is the Goldilocks upgrade: everything now is just right. Pikes peak was awful -- to the point of un-listenable! 1.2.1 was good but not great. The Yale version does nothing wrong, so Hippocrates' concerns are assuaged. It is eminently natural and easy to listen to, especially on vocals and acoustic music. eerily realistic. So I for one am a happy listener.

Neal
How does the Yale "final" differ from the Yale beta, which I think is terrific. Before I go through the inconvenience of downloading yet another version, would like to know if there is a significant audible difference. Thank you.

Neal
Thanks, Sabai. I will load this weekend. Was just getting accustomed to Yale beta.

Neal
On the PS Audio Directstream, the Yale Final upgrade is the Jam! I have never heard digital sound so natural and realistic, and I have been doing digital since 1986 when I bought the first 16 bit CD player -- the redoubtable Magnavox CDB 650wit Favorite Song programmability -- at The Wiz!

Thanks, Sabai.

Neal