Coli,
I use a Bryston BDP-2 connected via WireWorld Gold Starlight 7. |
Rdoc,
I've only listened for 2 hours or so; therefore I agree it should open up. |
I have it connected and my initial thoughts are I know I don't need a preamp. I don't know how much break-in will change the sound, but I'm :)! |
Fsmithjack,
I've already sent you a PM, but I wanted to thank you again. Your comments, which because of the way audiophiles react to negative comments about products that most are praising(I'm guilty) deserve credit. I really appreciate your postings regarding the M1. Thanks again! |
He is referring to Pikes Peak. It's the most recent update. |
I have a PS Audio Direct Stream and love it. Prior to purchasing it a good friend told me to get the Bricasti M1. He said it sounds better than the Direct Stream. The M1 was simply out of my price range.
Our love of music and obsession with always trying to get just a little better sound is expensive. I believe the M1 is 9K and though price doesn't always indicate better sound, in this case my friend said it does. |
Neal,
I ordered the SD card from PS Audio. It only took three minutes to upload, but I haven't had time to listen. Hopefully, I will get an opportunity tomorrow. |
I know price isn't always an indication of sound quality, but I don't understand why it's a shock that the Bricasti M1 sounds better than the Direct Stream...it should, it cost 1 1/2 times as much. When I purchased my Direct Stream my dealer told me the M1 sounds better, but it was out of the price range I allocated for a DAC.
I have a pair of Aerial 7Ts and love them. I heard a pair of Raidho C3.1 and they are the best speakers that I've ever heard. If I could afford them, I get them today. I just went from a Parasound A21 to a Jeff Rowland M525 and the differences are pretty significant. Again, not in all cases, but usually when you spend more money the SQ increases. There are some that don't think the incremental increase in SQ is worth it, but I do. Enjoy your M1! |
I'm guilty! I'm the one who reached out to Fsmithjack regarding the Bricasti M1. I'm currently using my DSD connected directly to my amplifier. I had a Parasound JC2 preamp, but I thought the DSD direct was more transparent and sold the JC2. In hindsight, I realize that with the DSD direct I'm loosing dynamics, the sound isn't as full, and it's a little bright. My dilemma is to keep the DSD and get a new preamp or sell the DSD and purchase a new DAC. My concern...how well does the M1 function as a preamp? I guess I will know in a couple of weeks! |
Fsmithjack,
Reading your comments highlights what's wrong with highend. I compared the M1 two days ago to a directstream in my friends system. Yes, the M1 is better, but to my ears to say now that the Directstream is a piece a junk is laughable. I submit audiophiles exaggerate small differences to make themselves feel superior. The Directstream DAC is very good and as good as the M1 is, I guarantee there are better. |
If you read my comments, I didn't say a particular DAC was better. My point was this is all subjective and no matter how good we submit something is, there is always better. The most recent DAC I listened to was the Esoteric. I didn't compare it to anything, so what's your point? |
Ok, so what's better? Soundstage, bass, midrange? I'll have a M1 shortly and if I agree with your assessment, I'll be sure to post it! Listening always makes it clear. |
Bill_k,
You didn't upset me. This is only audio; not life and death. My guarantee was somewhat "tongue-in-cheek", meaning in this hobby someone else will declare the Bricasti is inferior to the DAC they prefer. |
Bill,
Thanks for the info and you are correct, the only way to know is to try it. I have decided to sell my DSD and purchase a M1. |
If the Bricasti M1 is half as good as the hype, I'll be very happy and it will be my last purchase for several years. |
I know it's crazy but the more I read the reviews, the more I feel I'm going to be let down by the Bricasti M1. Yes, I've had the opportunity to listen to the M1; however not in my own system. The fear isn't that it won't sound good, but that it isn't significantly better than the DSD. |
Fsmithjack,
Is your M1 connected directly to your amp? If so, or if you have tried it direct, I would love to hear your thoughts? |
Fsmithjack,
I'm doing fine. I'm still nervously awaiting the arrival of my M1. I will have it at the beginning of next week. As you know, I don't have a preamp and decided to sell the DSD instead of purchasing a preamp. I hope the M1 is my answer and it provides a fuller, more natural sound than the DSD direct. |
After one day of listening I submit the positives with the M1 compared to the DSD is the bass, dynamics, and not as forward sounding. What I'm disappointed about is the soundstage...in comparison to the DSD's soundstage, the M1's soundstage isn't as wide or dimensional and I hope the M1 improves. Even if it does improve, I don't think there's going to be a night and day difference, but I could be wrong. I hope additional playing convinces me it was worth the trade. |
My Bricasti M1 has shipped and I will have it on Wednesday. I look forward to providing feedback |
I'll receive my M1 today. What is the recommended filter setting and/or what filter have you found that works best? |
Day 2...the M1 is very, very different from the DSD. I submit it's analogous with hearing live music at a big venue compared to hearing music in a small intimate setting. Instruments/music through the M1 is significantly more natural sounding(intimate). Music through the DSD comes at you, while music through the M1 pulls you in. I'm more than satisfied with the change and look forward to listening to more music without thinking about equipment. |
Agisthos,
I purchased the DS after receiving generous credit for my PS Audio Perfectwave DAC II and thought it was a worthy upgrade. I want to be careful not to exaggerate the differences between the DSD and M1, but I think it's valuable to the audio community to discuss/compare different products. Of course it's in the context of my system, my room, and my preferences/biases. For years I've owned Wilson Audio speakers(Sophia 2s, 3s, and Sasha 1s) and like with the DSD the music came at you. I've listened to Rockport Aviors and currently have Aerial 7ts. I submit Aerials and Rockport speakers pulls you into the music and that's what the M1 does. That being said, just like some still prefer Wilsons to others, some may still prefer the DSD to the M1. I strongly prefer the sound of the M1. |
I've always thought my source was my weak link in my system. Inserting the Bricasti M1 has changed that and now it's probably my speakers or even my new Jeff Rowland M525...the M1 is that good. I would be a fool to consider changing the M1 to any DAC prior to upgrading my speakers or amp. I played music all night and I'm just smiling. My 10 year old said that he likes the way it sounds! Sure there has to be better, but the M1 makes me say WOW! I'm 100% done for now! |
As great as I believe the M1 is, there are no absolutes in audio. I love the the M1 because it meets my musical preferences, not because it's the best DAC. The M1 has completed my system and until I'm ready to upgrade my speakers, I'm officially off of the upgrade train!:) |
I've been playing the M1 for 4 straight days and I'm really enjoying my system. I don't know how the DSD compares to the M1 in an system that utilizes a preamp. In my case I use my DAC as a preamp/DAC and there is a very significant difference between the DSD and M1. Is the difference the DAC, a better implementation of the preamp, or both? What's better with the M1?...bass, dynamics, after 30 hours the soundstage, smoothness and tonality. Many believe the preamp is the heart of a system and just maybe that's why I hear such a difference between the two. If you have a preamp, maybe the differences are diminished. |
I have an Bryston BDP-2 connected to my M1 DAC. I love the convenience, but I never had the opportunity to compare it to other transports. |
I use a 1 Terabyte external hard drive. I've ripped my CDs via dbpoweramp on to the external hard drive and plug the USB cord into the BDP-2. It takes only a few seconds to upload the music. I control everything from my Ipad mini. It's very easy to create a play list or play an entire CD.
Although I don't stream, you can stream music through the BDP-2. |
I went from a PS Audio Perfectwave DAC II to the PS Audio DSD to the Bricasti M1. Digital is moving at a fast pace and there is no doubt that there are better/different sounding DACs coming out every couple of months. Reading post have become part of the hobby and it's a joy to read about new components. It feels great to read and not want! |
Fsmithjack,
Will the Femto clock work with the Bryston BDP-2? Knowing what you know now, do you regret spending so much money on the DAC? |
Jh901,
Can you tell where I can get the best mastering work for current "smooth jazz", if it's even possible. I usually just purchase from Amazon. |
How is it connected from your cable box to your M1? |
Replaced my Bricasti M1 DAC with the Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC. |
Bill_k,
Thanks. I really love the Bricasti M1, but had an opportunity to pair the Aeris with my Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 and couldn't resist. I'm attending RMAF 2015 next week and hope to find my next speaker. I hope I have an opportunity to listen to Focal Sopras, Dynaudio C4s, Joseph Audio, and Vienna Liszts. |
I have all Jeff Rowland gear and finally stopped worrying about my 2-channel system. I'm still working on completing my HT system. |
