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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
fsmithjack

Showing 7 responses by rhanson739

rhanson739
269 posts
 
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That IS great service, to be sure. I'm happy that it worked out for you.

When I moved to the DirectStream, a decent-quality USB cable that I had used on my Perfectwave DAC MKII produced terrible results on the DS. As the volume went up, distortion, crackling, and other nasty artifacts were produced.

Like you, I switched to a cheap cable and the DS worked fine.

I got a new cable from the manufacturer to replace the old one, and it too failed. Almost every cable EXCEPT that one worked fine.

The designer of the DS, Ted Smith, had remarked that some people just don't adhere to the USB standard when designing. Whether it's true or not, I don't know, but the results with that one cable were consistent.

Also like you, I moved up in cable quality after resolving the problem, and it DOES make a difference. I use a Transparent USB cable now, and the results are sublime.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
My experience with the DS DAC is that it does take about 500 hours to begin sounding good. And even at that, you may wind up having to move speaker setups, check your room treatments, etc.

I have a pair of Vandy subs, so bass is not an issue. If it were, I'd adjust the subs, but I never had the need.

It is a remarkable DAC, and I don't expect to part with mine anytime in the near future. I'm lovin' it.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
From my perspective, I'm not concerned at all with resale value of the Directstream. I don't intend to sell mine, at least not for a long while.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
Since I'm auditioning amps right now, I put Pikes back in because I was more familiar with the sound. That lasted about 10 seconds. Yale is back up, now.

Over the past couple of weeks, every time I put Yale beta in, I went back to Pikes. It just wasn't engaging for me.

The difference between Pikes and Yale final, for me, is it brings in a huge level of detail, but not in a sharp or fatiguing way. To go from Yale to Pikes to Yale again can be an education. Try it when you have a few moments... I'd be interested in other peoples' findings.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
I don't often post such things, but 'dis guy... 'dis guy caused me to write today. I've also posted much the same on Computer Audiophile.

Disclaimer: I own and enjoy a PS Audio Directstream (Pike's), and have for some time.

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but there's a cat on Computer Audiophile who has been wailing the same tune for quite a while, username is "ilok". Hmmm, "Coli" == "ilok"?

In a fit of anti-evangelistic fervor, Coli/ilok has been trashing the DS as well as PS Audio as a company, which I think is categorically unfair, both to PSA and to anyone who might be considering purchasing the DS.

Look, Colick, we've all made mistakes when building systems. It's part of the hobby. Many people have made far more expensive mistakes, some of which involve sparks and smoke. (Don't ask me how I know this.) As has been mentioned on CA, the DS may have been defective. The DS may have been dropped from on high. Who knows? But, at any time did you contact PS Audio to see if their support personnel might have actually been of help? I've always found PS Audio to be highly responsive to any questions or issues.

Evidently, you chose instead to replace most/all of your surrounding system before giving up on the DS without ever contacting PSA. Odd approach, actually. It probably wound up costing far more to replace your system than to return the DS.

This seems like a classic case of projection. The responsibility which you cannot accept for yourself gets projected outward on to something or someone other, in this case PS Audio. Clearly, it's not their fault, and to suggest that they were dishonest (stated by "ilok" in CA) based on your one experience is a rather sad reflection of your state of mind.

I think that most people can see through your statements, seeing them for what they are. Time to grow up and move on, admit your mistakes, rather than bad-mouthing others.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
From the sounds of it, Yale Final should be quite good. Downloading now for a listen later.
rhanson739
269 posts
 
... And it was good. Much better than the Yale beta.
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