2. digital
  3. 191173-107

Next step up on the streaming food chain?

I’ve been enjoying my Auralic Aries G1 for nearly 3 years now. If I wanted to explore a significant step up in my streaming quality, and not a small incremental increase in quality, what devices should be on my short list? Aries G2.2? Grimm MU1? Something else? The G1 is awfully good, however, I still perceive an extra layer of dimensionality and roundness with my analogs set up (see profile for details) that I would love too achieve in the digital realm. Or am I barking up the wrong tree, and should I focus on my DAC, a Bricasti M1, and try as non-oversampling R2R dac? FWIW, I think the Bricasti is excellent- it was the first DAC I ever heard that made me say- "that sounds terrific" instead of saying "that sounds great for digital"

zavato

Showing 1 response by jonwolfpell

jonwolfpell
432 posts
 

I recently got a Bricasti M 1 Series II DAC to pair w/ my Innuos Zenith Mk II & OPPO CD player ( used as a transport).  It is the first time in my system ( only one I know well enough to say this) that streaming music on Qobuz or playing a CD ( recording dependent) can sound on par albeit a little different w/ my Basis 2500/ Basis Vector 4 / Hana ML/ Art Audio Phono amp which I’ve had for over 20 years ( cartridge is relatively new). Vinyl sounds a little bit richer & fuller w/ a little more depth but not by much but the digital sounds quieter, has a blacker background, bigger sound stage height & width wise. Both sound very good. 
 

I don’t know for sure but have heard the Series II is substantially better than the original Bricasti M 1 & can be upgraded by them for reasonable $. Perhaps that might be worth trying as you already like the Bricasti sound & know about their quality & excellent reliability. 

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