I have been thinking about picking up a half decent but nothing really expensive unit to spin some disc's and thought to check out SACD spinners if they can be fed into my Bricasti. Because I am not positive about the results I wanted a decent - competent spinner but not real expensive. Has anyone of you guys used a decent disc spinner to your dac that is really good and competes with your hi rez files? PS Audo has always seemed to offer great flexibility. I would think SACD's being able to feed a strong DAC might have a demand.
Thanks |
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Thanks David - have you heard the new Bricasti card upgrade for the Bricasti M1SE? I would love to hear from anyone that has tried it.
I was using the Auralic Aries /Duel Femto Clocks with SBooster Linear Power Supply and Ultra Filter (I still own this set up) and it sounded very good but it just kept dropping and dropping again over and over and it drove me nuts so I picked up a microRendu set up to try.
The microRendu by itself is decent / not bad / not great / a bit thin but a competent and airy sounding unit. The Aries / SBooster sounded better, fuller more resolving and fuller for sure but boy can the
microRendu
be drastically improved by how you power it. I mean as in a 1,000 times better, so much better I can't believe the sound I am getting. When they say night and day, jaw dropping, game changer this is what they speak to.
For the
microRendu
I purchased this combo to go with it:
Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply
Uptone Audio
LPS-1 Super Capacitor Linear Power Supply
Uptone Audio Regen (I have the newest ISO Regen on order)
The set up requires two USB cables. It comes with cheap ones to get you going.
I already owned the amazing Tellurium Q Black Diamond Reference USB Cable. I use this to go from the microRendu to the Uptone Regen.
Curious USB Extender. I use this to attach the Regen to the Bricasti. I have heard of the Regen but never thought it was necessary with the Aries but boy I was wrong. Huge impact even with the Aries.
Adding the combo of gear to above to the microRendu has been nothing short of utterly amazing. I am not sure it is this gear maybe as much as how this gear puts the Bricasti M1SE in position to truly shine but the combo is absolutely world beating.
I fear Brian's new Card Upgrade will not be as good but than again who knows - maybe it will be better.
I mean I have not A&B all the stuff out there but I am telling you guys in my rig but this combo has to be better - maybe much better than the 3k to $7k servers out there from the likes from Antipodes, Aurender, Lumin, Auralic. I am blown away how good it sounds and how much the 2 - power supplies improved the sound. I made a couple of home brew DC cables that go from the Power Supplies to both the microRendu and the Regen out of Audioquest Type 4 Speaker cable which is a solid core cable. It was awesome. My Rethm Saadhana V3 Speakers and my Bricasti seem to really highlight and expose and even the little changes. One of the many things I love about these components.
I know tons of people out there have tried / used / own / heard the microRendu but you have not heard anything if you have not tried these power supplies with the Regen. I am so blown away I had to share with you guys.
Who knows maybe Brian's is better and I will be selling all this gear on Audiogon but I would love to hear from anyone that has heard the new Bricasti Streamer option.
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I have been trying to hear a Bricasti M12. Has anyone heard one from a show or dealer or friend or lucky enough to own one?
I have heard it is truly killer but would love to know if anyone knows anything about them?
Thanks
|
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@fsmithjack
I believe you saw my comments on the other thread about the M12. I did hear the M1SE with the new network card, and it was very much the same as with the m12 -- spectacular. Better, in my system, than the network bridge, the mRendu and the SOTM 200 (the latter 2 powered with the LPS1 from uptone). Obviously I haven't tried all the psu combinations, but in my mind that is another advantage of the card -- you lose all the clutter of extra gear and cords! I will reiterate my core belief: nothing can be gained (conceptually) translating LAN signals to USB/Spdif, just to have them translated back to I2S for the DAC. Better to go right from LAN protocol to I2S, if possible. DAC network cards make that possible. -- David |
Thanks so much David! I love my M1SE but been trying to find away to swing a M12. It is a lot more money than the M1SE. With my M1SE I use a nice preamp. Do you think the M12 is MUCH better than the M1SE in your opinion hearing them both. I really want a M12 and would use as my DAC and Preamp but would love to here from a owner and one that knows both well. Does the M12 have all the filters the M1 has always had Linear and Minimum filters? If it is that much of an upgrade I need to find a way to swapping around some gear and get one! Love to hear your thoughts. I'm fixing to pick up a PS Audio transport for Discs also as they have come down a lot and I'm told they are great and I have nothing now for spinning the good old silver discs. |
@fsmithjack
Hi --The M12 has the same DAC & supporting architecture (i.e., internal power supplies, etc.). They are really, really, very close in that regard. The M12 has an analog volume control for both the digital and analog sections -- it is a delight to use & sounds great. It is an electronic resistor ladder. Brian thinks (& I agree) it adds a very slight touch of warmth vs. the "purity" of the digital control on the M1. The M12 has a re-designed DSD filter that I can't explain but definitely sounds better than the M1SE. The M12 only has 2 PCM filter choices minimum and linear. I didn't ask Brian about that, but I suspect the extra choices weren't worth the bother for most users. Count me in that category. Those are the differences I can recall now. I'll check later at home to see if I forgot any. Hope that helps. -- David |
Hmmm - I know my M1SE sounds much better with a good preamp in my opinion. I know the DACs are the same and DSD is different but it's $6,000 more so I was hoping overall the new R2R preamp was a substantial / big SQ upgrade. I mean a $6000 preamp after the M1SE would be a big deal and used you can get a pretty serious pre for that price. So you think for Listening to Digital PCM files they are very close with M12 just a bit warmer? I appreciate the feedback but is that accurate? So you wouldn't say that the new M12 is a big overall upgrade when listening to PCM? This is helping me decide. I am surprised I would have thought Brians preamp would be a game changer and take it to a TOTAL other - game changing type of level. It's double the price of the base M1? I am glad I asked because I would much rather upgrade my M1SE with the Network Player and get a serious preamp or top notch integrated for the extra $6,000 - $6000 can go pretty far on Audiogon if able to find the right deal!
Thanks again
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@fsmithjack
I would definitely see if you can demo an M12 and/or have a conversation with Brian about his design goals.. I'm sure you're aware, he's very accessible. Bricasti calls the M12 a "source controller," not a preamp. From my perspective, the fact that it sounds almost exactly like the M1 is spot on. But then again, the topic of what a preamp can/should do in a system is a large and contentious one. Clearly you have your own perspective and should evaluate the M12 on your own terms. --- David |
Thanks David - I appreciate the feedback. I look at it pretty simply really! I think my simple and focused view will be appreciated by the readers of this post be they be the PS Audio Owners / Bricasti Owners and most of the other Audiogon members! I want a $16,000 component to sound clearly and simply better than a $10,000 component. If it does then I want it and if it doesn't then I don't. I'm ok with whatever it's called pre/controller/DAC w/volume control is ok and no matter. It's the bottom line I'm after. The sound - just looking to up the game of my rig and make every dollar provide ROI in SQ advancement. No more - no less - anything else is just something else and subordinate to this goal. I'm sure it does sound better. I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that I'm just trying learn from people that own / have heard it. I was talking to Brian the other day. There is none better and I'm sure when there are more owners and some reviews of this great item people will love it. He has put in an amazing - discreet - duel mono output stage with a pure R2R volume control that's to die for. The M1SE is an incredible DAC so if it takes that sounds and mates to the above output stage and volume control I'm sure it's outstanding but it's long money so just trying to get as much info as I can. I'm working with my Bricasti dealer to work a trade in deal to get one. No one has any yet to go listen to anywhere near me hence my impatient post. Didn't mean to come off like a terd I appreciate the feedback and input.
Thanks
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Calling all PS AUDIO guys/gals/owners.
Do any of you gals/gals own the PS Audi Perfect Wave Transport / Memory Player?
I am looking to pick one up to spin some of my many discs that I have not used in quite some time.
I use the micoRendu / Uptone Audio JS-2, 2x LPS-1, Regen combo and its great and I am getting my Bricasti M1SE upgraded to accept the Ethernet direct like the PS Audio Bridge does but I still would like to pick up a good silver disc spinner to use as well.
The PSA Transports have come down a lot in price with Paul flooding the market like he seems to do but that is not the transports fault and everyone always said it is great.
Is it still competitive with the microRendu / Auralic / Lumin / Aurenders of the world or has the servers just gotten so good that they have left the little silver disc in the dust?
I would like to still spin some discs and would love to hear from people that own both / owned both / heard both or could provide some feedback. I could just spend the money on another power cable or something. I consistently find Audiogon member feedback very accurate. Thank you
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I have been using the PWT with my DS dac via a Platinum Starlight 7 hdmi cable and the combo is outstanding,especially now with Huron OS,which is a ’mandatory’ update. The PWT has served me faithfully and I have zero complaints or issues with it. People who upgraded are saying the new memory transport is even a bigger bump in sound quality yet. I see one in my future, as funds permit... Go to PS Audio website/forums/reviews and read the info that is presented to get a better feel for the two transports performance parameters in question.
Also,the DMP can do ’native dsd’ via sacd... for an even bigger uptick in sound quality if you use the DS dac with it... via hdmi connection. |
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I can wait to get this new - built in Bricasti network player - hey PS Audio guys
There must be a bunch of new owners out there no??
That PS Audio Black Friday sale was pretty awesome !!!
I recently switched speakers and now run Magico S5 Speakers which I love and was looking to set up the ideal amplification match for them.
I came very close to pulling the trigger on the BHK 300 Signature Mono's and BHK Signature pre
I ended up in stead with : Hegel H30 stereo amp with Mark Levinson No.326s preamp but it was close. Almost went all in with PS Audio.
Well I am never changing my Bricasti M1 SE DAC but I did pull the trigger on a brand new PS Audio P10 Conditioner which I love. Such a nice add.
Would be curious any of you guys bought some new PS Audio gear during the big sale. I am a fan of the brand and owned many of their products. It was a very strong sale they ran. Pretty impressive so was wondering if any of you guys got some new great gear?
Thanks |
New OS firmware update for DS dac called Redcloud to be released on 12/8/17. Supposedly its killer... |
How is it? Has anyone tried it yet? |
fsmithjack... In a word...Superb !!! This dac now ’delivers’ the goods. The last OS, Huron, was a very,very fine listening experience that to me,was a great all around musically performing update.So when I heard Ted was working on Redcloud I thought...I hope he doesn’t make for a less enjoyable sound than Huron because Huron was really that good,a keeper.. if you will. Well,long story short...Ted hit this one out of the park, and I can honestly say this DS dac now officially has put on the ’big boy pants’ and can compete with dacs way,way above its price point... I can’t seem to turn my system off now with Redcloud at center stage.That in.. and of itself..speaks volumes of how good this dac really is now. Just awesome!!! |
fsmithjack , I sold my Bricasti M1SE when I bought my DirectStream. One of the major reasons was that my server is the superlative Musica Pristina Acappella which not only has a usb, but an I2S output. The I2S output via hdmi cable is a huge upgrade over usb. The DS accepts I2S via hdmi and is vastly superior to the Bricasti via usb. There is just no comparison in my system. The Redcloud OS makes the difference even greater between these 2 dacs in MHO. |
rdoc... If you still spin cd/sacd the DMP is just the ticket in an over the top listening experience. I was a bit hesitant to give up my PWT for the DMP, seeing the PWT was a fantastic transport to begin with. The DMP/ DS dac, together now with Redcloud installed, make for one hell of a music making machine. A 'peanut butter and jelly' combo..if there ever was one !!!
Redbook sounds almost as good as high res.. and sacd..now without handshake restrictions from Sony...make sacd sound better than one could imagine. Great time to be a audiophile...
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aolmrd1241,
I’ve used the PWT the past 7 years and it has been simply excellent playing CDs through my Yamamoto YDA-1 DAC. So it seems that you find the PS Audio DMP a further advancement of the terrific PWT?
Charles |
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.
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charles1dad... So it seems that you find the PS Audio DMP a further advancement of the terrific PWT? Hello Charles. Yes I do. I think for me, the DMP [with a great recording] can make the musical fabric of that recording to become much more realistic in nature. The soundscape has much more focus... meaning the DMP is able to let the air,natural details, and tones do a better job of pulling off the illusion of live sound as opposed to canned. To my ears, the whole presentation of the music is much more natural/organic sounding with a sense of timing almost like a live performance,music just seems to gel much,much better. Needless to say, I feel the DMP is a huge step up in my system... |
Hello rdoc -
Just thinking out loud...Would be interesting how the Bricasti M1SE with Ethernet option and used as a renderer/i2s DAC would stack up in your system. This could eliminate your Musica Pristina A Capella and HDMI cable completely!
Mike
Audio Archon - Bricasti dealer
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Aolmrd1241,
Thank you for your reply, well that’s quite an endorsement of the DMP relative to the PWT. What has kept me happy with the PWT all these years is its ability to present music in such a natural manner. In conjunction with my Yamamoto DAC it avoids a mechanical or electronic character.
Charles |
Just thinking out loud...Would be interesting how the Bricasti M1SE with
Ethernet option and used as a renderer/i2s DAC would stack up in your
system. This could eliminate your Musica Pristina A Capella and HDMI
cable completely!
and both using
Ethernet option. According to friends,
DirectStream
sounds best with Bridge II. Rumor bridge III in the works.
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I have the Bricasti SE with the new internal ethernet capable board. It takes the DAC to a new level. We are talking about analog like quality and tonality and ease that is fantastic. I bought the Total DAC d1 six with its built in ethernet board to compare. Vincent was real nice and honors a two week money back guarantee. No contest as the Bricasti stomped the Total DAC. The Bricasti throws a much bigger sound stage and is much more musical. The Total DAC is more hi fi sounding. The Total DAC did not better the Bricasti in any way. I was actually surprised at this because of all the positive reviews. I have heard other dac's with discrete resistors used as the conversion and was not impressed. Yes a chip beats the resistor. Power supply and analog stage is was important as far as I'm concerned. I did like the sound of the 110,000.00 discrete MSB dac but never heard it in my system. I don't even know if I would like it better than what I'm using. I still would not spend that much money even if it were half price; way too much for digital.
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I had the opportunity to hear the Bricasti SE and Total DAC d1 6 comparision in Jeff’s (JWM) system. I did not personally find the performance gap as wide as Jeff describes between the two highly regarded DACs. I am in agreement with the Bricasti SE being the better overall sounding and frankly not bettered by the Total DAC in any individual parameter.
The Total DAC sounds quite good to me but when compared directly to the Bricasti it falls a bit short. Surprising to me was the Bricasti is the more engaging and organic of the two. Given all that’s been written and said about the intrinsic "analogue" like character of R2R topology I thought the Total DAC would prove superior in this particular aspect. Listening proved otherwise. I will acknowledge that this was via ethernet where this DAC sounds better than USB at least in my opinion.
I’ve heard numerous R2R type Dacs over the past few years as well as delta sigma based products. My observation is that either can be implemented successfully and I don’t find R2R inherently superior as some others have stated . As Jeff mentioned above, analogue output stage, power supply quality and I/V conversion are of up most importance.
In my opinion too much emphasis can be placed on digital chips and choice of D to A conversion. Bricasti SE certainly demonstrated what delta sigma is capable of when high engineering and implanted standard’s are utilized.
Charles |
@jwm
I have the Bricasti SE with the new internal ethernet capable board. It takes the DAC to a new level.
What server are you using with ethernet? |
I’m using a PC with J river. Ethernet cable is cat7 by Purist Audio. |
Sweet - do you use an Ethernet switch between your router and your Bricasti or hook right from router?
If you or anyone reading this doesn’t use a Ethernet switch I’m going to hook you guys up for cheap money:
Order this on Amazon for $20.00
Netgear GS108 Switch
also order a Breeze Audio 12v Linear Power Supply on eBay for $60 and any decent quality made in China 12v Linear Power Supply on EBay and you will psyched by the upgrade.
if you don’t feel like waiting 2 weeks to get from China then just grab a iFi 12v little power supply for $50 - I have both and like the China Linear Supply better.
Under $100 upgrade that makes your $12,000 DAC Sound much better.
This is a must add for anyone using Ethernet Audio.
Also, while your at it order 2 of the 12v power supplies and power your router also. So two 12v linear power supplies to power your new switch and your current router.
Also, when adding the Netgear switch you will need another Ethernet cable to run from router to switch. A great cheap one is the AudioQuest Forest that is like $30 for a short one. Decent enough and cheap.
Ethernet is the best because the noise crud from the PC is gone but adding a non managed gigabyte Ethernet switch helps and then getting clean power to run it helps a bit more and removing the switching mode power supply that powers your current router add more and the combo is a nice little tweak. Anyone with Ethernet Audio can get a nice little bump from these little tweaks :) |
I am using a local wireless router not connected to the internet. I threw out the switching power supply and added the Sbooster regulated power supply.
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perfect - put this switch between it like I noted and you will like it. SBooster is a nice supply. Happy holidays to everyone!!!
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Jeff,
If you decide to try this product let me know how it works out in your system.
Charles |
I don’t think I can use the switch. I’m using UPNP/DLNA which allows to send audio to a network along with j remote I can use my I pad and can run j river. I don’t see how this switch would work. |
Not sure if the was mentioned on this tread, but it adds some value to the conversation. I recently contacted Briscati about the M12 unit.
Some feedback about the M12:
"Roon Ready is in the final stages of the process for the M12 and we anticipate its completion soon. I’ve been testing the Roon code myself and it works great. I look forward to hearing from. "
I am considering using such a device as a preamp and DAC. My choices are the Mola Mola Makua, Briscati M12, or the PS Audio DS.
At the moment my feeling is I will get the Luxman c900u preamp to go with the m900u and the new Mola Mola Tamqui DAC (no preamp). I am flipping back and forth about getting a traditional preamp.or a digital one.
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Jeff (Jwm), I could be missing something but I don’t see why Fsmithjack’s suggestion wouldn’t work in your application. Communications between the router and the DAC would occur no differently than they presently do, if a network switch is inserted between them.
However I would expect the benefit that might result, if any, to depend on the particular router and perhaps also on the ethernet cabling that is being used, as well as on the particular switch and DAC. Presumably any sonic difference that might occur would result from differences in the waveform characteristics (e.g., risetimes, falltimes, and distortion) and also the noise content of the signal received by the DAC. Which in turn may affect the degree to which the RF content of that signal may find its way around the ethernet interface in the DAC and affect DAC circuitry that is further downstream.
Seems to me to be a suggestion that is worth trying, and costs very little.
Happy holidays, and best regards,
-- Al
|
I don’t understand what the switch would do? |
Hi Jeff,
All the switch would do would be to hand off to the DAC data packets it receives from the router that are addressed to the DAC. And vice versa for communications that are sent from the DAC and addressed to whatever source is being used via the router.
In doing so, however, as I mentioned above the waveform and noise characteristics of the signal received by the DAC may be different than they would be without the switch, since that signal would be generated by the switch rather than by the router. Which in turn could make a difference in the DAC’s sonic performance, for better or worse depending on the particular router and the other variables I mentioned. And based on Fsmithjack’s experience, more likely for the better than for the worse.
Regards,
-- Al
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Network switch is to add ethernet ports to a router. If running wireless or have enough port on router, why bother adding another layer?
|
I am running it wireless and if I add the switch I will not be able to access j river. This totally does not make sense |
It's like running daisy train of power conditioners, cables, preamps ... yes it will sound different but is it better??
My office has one ethernet port and I have 3
Linux / Windows
desktops without wireless. I use a network switch to hook up all the desktops to the LAN.
|
Hi Jeff,
What is it that you are saying is "running wireless"?
If you are saying that the computer that is running J-River is wirelessly connected to the router, that would have no relevance to Fsmithjack’s suggestion or to what I have said in regard to his suggestion.
If you are saying that the DAC is connected wirelessly to the router, I was not aware that the DAC provides wireless connectivity.
If the computer is connected wirelessly to the router and the DAC is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable (which I was assuming is the case), then I believe Fsmithjack’s suggestion and my explanations of it do in fact make sense.
And regarding Joe’s comment just above, I would not liken Fsmithjack’s suggestion to daisy-chaining cables or analog components. In this case the network switch would be regenerating the signal, and the benefit it might provide would be more akin to (although not the same as) what a reclocker does.
Regards,
-- Al
|
Makes sense to me. Computer to the router is "wireless".
However router to the DAC is through an ethernet cable. So the switch would be placed between the router and DAC.
Would the switch improve the sound quality? Listening will decide that.
Charles |
Netgear GS108 Switch
is basically a splitter similiar to one I use in my office at work. IMHO, will sound different so I guess better to some.
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@jwm I use a sub router that connects wirelessly to the main router for wired, networked audio in my audio room. In a way, I’m applying both approaches.
If you are happy with the sound quality via your wireless setup, and are not experiencing any dropouts, etc. then stay with it and enjoy your music. If you go wired, it does complicate one’s system, despite the posts to the contrary. But it may also deliver better sound quality, though that isn’t guaranteed with your specific setup. That’s why folks are encouraging you to give it a try.
If I could eliminate the extra router, the switch, the multiple power supplies and DC cabling, and the LAN cabling I’ve chosen, I would and I have strongly considered it. The dCS Network Bridge comes to mind. Since you like Bricasti, perhaps the M5 for you.
I’m happy I came across this thread and your and Charles’ posts on the Bricasti v TotalDAC outcomes. Thanks.
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My Bricasti has the M5 board built in to it. That is how I’m able to hook it up to the router through wi fi. The M5 board internally reclocks and sends the digital signal through I2S internally to the converter |
Have you tried going LAN in off of your router as a comparison? |
Have you tried going LAN in off of your router as a comparison? My guess that’s what he’s doing connecting wireless to the router. How else can you connect wireless? What endpoint? The M5 board is Bricasti built-in dCS Network Bridge. |
Yes but no it is not a splitter. This is a basic but managed gigabyte
switch. The basic part is good. The less going on the better. Less noise. Yes it can perform splitting duties but it’s much different than a splitter even if you use it as a splitter as it works well at that as well.
For me i could hear it immediately but not all systems are going to have the type of resolution to enjoy these small digital augmentations.
That said this is a Bricasti - Directstream thread and a system with either of these DACs with similar like quality other components it’s definitely a worthwhile add.
I have AudioQuest Vodka ethenet Cables and bought the excellent Cardas Clear Ethernet Cable to try and wanted to see if I could hear a difference so I hooked it direct from my router to player and it sounded worse. I was bummed so then I plugged the Vodka in Router direct and it sounded as worse.
Then I plugged the switch back in and ran the Cardas out of my switch to player and was like oh yes very nice and much better. In digital - noise floor matters. Don’t bother if you don’t want to it’s not a must add but I won’t go without it. Check it out over on Chris Conikors website the computer Audiophile it’s where I learned about and they speak of it as a pure must have. Because I was happy with it I bought a fancy much more expensive switch and it didn’t sound any better or worse.
The extra level helps trap a bit of the router noise ground. A managed switch is a much more simplifier device than a wireless router.
Routers and wireless units are noisy.
The managed switch is simple so when you use one and add nice competent 12v linear power supply - I use the Uptone Audio JS-2 Linear Power Supply plugged into my PS Audio P10 with HiDiamond P3 Power Cable and I connect switch to JS-2 with custom Ghent Audio DC power cables (Canare Copper Cable and excellent Oyaide Connectors). I put isonode Sorbane feet under it with EdenSound Solid Brass Vibration weights on top with AudioQuest Vodka and Cardas Clear Ethernet Cables and trust me it matters. You don’t need to go all in like me but switch as a nice add and I’ve found with Digital the more you can push it the better it sounds.
Moreover, I’ve tries multiple expensive Ethernet filters and they take away too much. Just get the simplest and cleanest you can is best in my opinion. The Acoustic Revive Filter and the SoTm filters both sucked out the life. This did the opposite. It became more linear, quicker, cleaner and just nicer. YMMV 👀 |
