@audphile1
Thanks. Will do. I will check out. Just curious, whats an Audience AU24SE+ go for?You have piqued my interest.
I have an after market power cord. I don't know if it's the right one for the Bricasti. What would you recommend? I'm open to upgrading in the next few months.
This forum is a blessing and a curse. The wealth of knowledge is priceless. Thanks to all that chimed in.
The curse, lol, is that I started with a $350 item and I'm now out of $3k+, that I had no intention of spending. I love this hobby!
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@audphile1 The Audience USB is $1,000 new for a 2M cable. I can't afford that right now, buy what does $700+ over my DH Labs Mirage do for me? Are you able to describe the effect on sound quality for me? I'm sticking with my Innuos streamer, Phoenix USB reclocker, and Bricasti M3. Does a cable that costs $1,000+ fit into my system? Thanks.
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@audphile1 Yes, it does work. Really sounds good coming from my noisy laptop. Imagine how good it will sound with the streamer.
Have a nice weekend.
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@audphile1
I've only listened to it for about 30 minutes thus far, but I am blown away. I played AJA from Qobuz (24/192) and, wow. The sound was full, soundstage deep and wide, and the digital artifacts - gone.
I am going to play it 24x7, for about nine days and then start listening critically, once my new USB cable is broken in.
Speaking of cables, The Cable Company will let me return the Mirage before 30 days, if I want to upgrade.
I did a quick search and they have this one:
It's not exactly the one you recommended, but I was wondering if it was close enough.
More to come next weekend.
Thanks.
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@audphile1 Yes, I replaced the fuse and it’s working fine. Sounds great with the Bricasti. 200 hours puts me at next Tuesday. Hopefully, I will hear a big improvement over the weekend.
I heard from the seller over the weekend. He was in the ER, and has some very serious medical issues.
I told him that the DAC was working and sounded great. I thanked him for selling to me and wished him the best. You just never know what’s going on in peoples lives that drives their behavior.
All’s well that ends well.
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@audphile1
@treynolds155
The seller dropped the DAC off at FEDEX today. I will take delivery on Thursday, and have it playing on Friday.
I will post my impressions over the weekend.
Thanks!
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@audphile1 Thanks. Couldn't have done it without you and others in this forum.
Now onto streaming.
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@audphile1
Yeah, that sounds like a plan. The seller sold me a great DAC for a great price. Positive feedback warranted. Done.
I kept him apprised of the difficulties I was having getting the unit to operate. I suggested that if the DAC needed to be sent to Bricasti that he should bear some financial responsibility. Maybe, I jumped the gun on that, but instead of being supportive, he became antagonistic, attacked my credibility, and essentially implied that I was at fault, and a liar. He knew nothing about the component he sold me and indicated as much, when he suggested that I may have blown a fuse. There's more, but I won't bother with the details,
For a seller with a 20 year spotless record, I expected better than that. If it sounds like I overreacted, than I'll just thank him for doing business and fade into the ether. Otherwise, I think he needs to know that I expected better post sales support.
Rant over. 😎
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@audphile1 Thanks. I will look around for a used cable. Do you have a recommendation for a power cord, too?
Thanks.
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@audphile1
Here are my results at 9:04 pm est:
Bricasti notes
Rebooted unit
Input button = in4
Level button = 0db
Mute button = 0db
Status button:
Linear 0
38C 100F
MDx 1.08
CtlTRIGO don't have a remote
PhaseNRM
BriteLow
NDSD DSD
RBalSTBY
Streaming from Innuos via Qobuz, bit rate = 192 hHz
Matches track from Roger Waters' "Amused to Death"
No audible sound.
What's next, besides packing it up?
Thank you!
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@audphile1
CtlREMOTE, even though I don’t have a remote? If you don’t mind me asking, what is the nature of this setting?
So,hit Status, change to CtlREMOTE, reset by holding standby for a few seconds, but not as long as 10, reboot (turn off for 10 seconds, then back on), confirm that the settings are the same as before rebooting, including CtlREMOTE, and then stream. Have I got it?
Sorry, but I’ve had more than one person try to help me today, and they all told me different things, none of which worked.
Thanks!
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@audphile1 @tvad
Hello to all. I find myself in uncharted waters and need your help.
The M3 I purchased as a 9/10 item on US Audio Mart is not working as advertised.
The unit is connected to my preamp correctly, yet there is no sound when I play any tracks from Qobuz from my streamer.
I found a post on Audiogon from last year where @tvad Suggested pushing the Standby button for around 10 seconds and restarting the unit. It worked once this morning, but once I switch sources in my preamp and went back to the Bricasti, no sound.
Spoke to Joe at Bricasti and he tried to help me, but to no avail. No sound.
I’m packing it up and sending it in for service. I notified the seller and he’s pushing back regarding paying anything towards shipping or repairs. I paid him with PP friends and family, so I have no leverage.
Any thoughts?
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@carlsbad2
Yeah, kind of. Am I following a path based on urban legend?
@audphile1
I suppose I may look into a TT2 at some point, but I just retired and don’t have an extra $5k laying around. Really that much better than a Qutest? I get the Civic analogy. I suppose I could trade in my Qutest for credit and make it a little less expensive. I really don’t need the pre amp, though. Never listen to headphones.
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@audphile1 thanks for your suggestion. I can swing $3k for the M3: It’s been listed for a while. If it’s such a great deal, why hasn’t somebody snatched it up?
Just thinking out loud, that’s all.
Happy New Year!
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@audphile1 okay. Will contact the seller and research the DAC a bit. I don’t need the network option, but maybe that’s why it’s not selling.
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@audphile1
Did you ever consider a Chord TT2? Just curious.
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@audphile1
Happy New Year.
I contacted the seller and may potentially pull the trigger this week.
Without ever hearing the M3, I'm a bit hesitant to do just that. Pre-buyers remorse.
Did some critical listening on Qobuz this morning using a Chesky playlist. Most tracks sound pretty good with my Qutest.
So, asking for some encouragement that I am going to take my streaming experience to a significantly higher level with the Bricasti. I realize this may be a strange request from an Audiogon member, but what the heck.
Rich a/k/a drlou77
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@testrun
How do I determine if the DAC has the current generation MDX board? The seller doesn't know, but gave me the serial #. I guess I can call Bricasti.
Would you say that if it doesn't have this board, I should move on? The DAC has been on the market since 12/3/23 with no takers. I contacted the seller, who has an excellent rating, and the DAC is priced to sell.
That being said, I don't want to buy a "white elephant' piece just because I'm getting a deal. I want this DAC to be my "game over" DAC. I've invested a small fortune in my streaming set up and don't want to go down the rabbit hole any further for streaming Qobuz and ripped FLAC files on my Zenith's SSD.
Thanks.
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@testrun
Thanks for the information. I hope it has the board. I'll find out tomorrow.
Cheers.
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@testrun Called and emailed them today. Waiting to hear back. I have the serial # so I should know by tomorrow.
Thank you!
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@testrun
@audphile1
Thank you, both. Called and emailed Joe today. Waiting to hear back from him.
Since the MDX board does indeed come with the M3, I'll probably purchase it tomorrow. Would also like to hear back about the head phone upgrade, but it's not along the critical path for me.
I've read everything I could get my hands on and everyone raves about this DAC. You guys have been really helpful, in this regard.
I'll check back in tomorrow.
Rich
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@audphile1
I have the Innuos Phoenix USB after my Zenith streamer. It is my understanding that the Phoenix reclocker was doing the heavy lifting. Does the M3 reclock the signal as well?
Thanks.
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@audphile1
Here's an update. The unit has the MDX board, but it's version 1.08. To upgrade to the latest, 1.1, it's $500 plus shipping. The upgrade affects the graphics display. Just curious as to the aesthetic and/or functionality if this upgrade. I want to be fair, but I don't want to buy an outdated unit and pay $500 to upgrade.
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@audphile1 thanks.
Joe confirmed that there's no sonic difference for the display upgrade.
I am going to purchase the item today. The seller wants to use PayPal Friends and Family. He has an excellent rating on Audiogon and other such sites. Is this common or should I pay the 4% fee and use regular PayPal to have some recourse if things go south?
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@audphile1
Just so I have this straight, I should ask him to write down the word "displayed" on an index card ir such, place it next to the item, snap and send me that picture. You've given me great advice, but I have to ask, what protection does this provide me?
@adasdad
I hope you're wrong about it being a lateral move. Everything I've read, including posts here and on a few Facebook groups I follow, indicate that the Bricasti M3 is a significant step above my Qutest.
Cheers.
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@testrun no worries. Yes, I am.
@audphile1 just bought the Bricasti M3 DAC. Thanks for your help. Will circle back with listening impressions in a couple of weeks.
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@testrun
The storm delayed the delivery of my M3. I have it, but won’t be able to install it until Friday. I will listen this weekend. Not sure I’ll be able to give it a 100% thumbs up, because I’ll be breaking in a brand new 2M DH Labs Silver Sonic Mirage USB Cable. More to come.
Thanks.
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@audphile1
The Qutest has a tiny footprint, as you know. It's sitting on top of my streamer. The M3 needs to have its own space. This required that I get a longer USB cable. I called The Cable Company and they gave me a good deal on the DH Labs. They also let me try it for 30 days, and if I want to upgrade, I get almost full credit towards an upgrade.
Regarding the USB Cable, I did some research here and the DH Labs was a consistent recommendation. I paid around $300. If anyone has any feedback on this cable, or would recommend something else that would result in a reasonable cost/value investment, I have until February 11 to make a change.
Yes, I know that cables matter. No, I will not spend over a $1,000 for any cable, despite claims by Synergistic Research that I should.
Thanks! 😎
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@audphile1
Followed your instructions. Still no sound. Any other thoughts or suggestions before I pack it up tomorrow?
Thanks for trying.
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Yes, I did everything. I’m having a problem rebooting my server. Gotta fix that first.
Thanks
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@audphile1
Hello. It appears I blew a fuse when I rebooted my streamer. I am going to replace it and try again.
I bought this component on US Audio Mart. The seller has been in business for 20 years with a Feedback Rating of 100% for 58 transactions. He also boasts a 100% Feedback Rating on Audiogon for 345 transactions.
Based on these ratings, and that the DAC was rated a 9/10 on US Audio Mart, I paid him using his preferred method of PayPal Friends and Family.
I've been corresponding with the seller about this matter all along. He has been very argumentative and accusatory in response to my suggestion that he bear some financial responsibility for any shipping and repair costs, should I sent the unit to Bricasti for service.
He claims that because I reported to him that the unit worked initially before I started having problems, that I must have done something wrong. He has explicitly stated that the unit should been left on 24x7, and that rebooting it voided any responsibility he may have towards costs incurred to rectify the "no audio" situation I am faced with. He also mentioned that I probably blew a fuse (the unit doesn't have one), and that the DAC was only used in conjunction with a CD Transport, and may not be compatible with my streamer.
In my last email, I stated that "I'm relying on your reputation as a trusted seller with a 20 year track record, to help me resolve this matter in a fair and equitable manner." I also mentioned to him that I was sending the unit back to Bricasti for service, and I would circle back with him once I heard back from them.
Again, he fired off two impulsive and accusatory emails to me, implying that I caused the malfunction when I rebooted the unit to fix the problem. At this point, I am not responding to any of his emails and will wait to hear from Bricasti before I contact him again.
Looking for guidance on what is reasonable and customary, and how to handle this situation.
Thank you!
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@audphile1
Thank you for your continued support.
The fuse on my Innuos Zenith mk3 blew when I rebooted it last night. I have a bad back and replacing it is a big tricky for me.
In the interim, I will buy an inexpensive coax cable from Amazon and hook it up to my Oppo universal player and run it through the Bricasti and see if I get any sound.
Thank you and I’ll sign in and report the results later.
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@audphile1 BINGO! My streamer is still down, but I bought a SPDIF cable and hooked it up as per your instructions. Repeated steps, but this time I switched the input on the Bricasti to IN2. Push play on my Oppo and, voila, Free Falling, by Tom Petty came blasting out of my B&W 804s. Whew!
Now, I need to replace the fuse in my Innuos streamer, switch to IN4, and test it out. Question: do I have to reboot the DAC (circuit breaker) after I switch the input from IN2 to IN4?
Thanks!
drlou77 a/k/a Rich
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@audphile1
Since my streamer may not be up for a few days (long story), I feel compelled to give the seller feedback asap.
I'm not going post anything publicly, but will send him an email.
IMO, he sold me a good DAC, at a fair price, but did not treat me as I would have expected for someone who has a 20 year track record of 100% positive reviews.
If it wasn't for you, and others on this thread, the M3 would be in a box on its way to Boston.
Thoughts about tone and content of the email? I have a working rough draft, but feel that it's good to check in with my Audiogon friends for feedback.
Thanks!
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@audphile1
You are correct sir. In the absence of my streamer, I hooked my laptop and Qobuz up to the Bricasti tonight via the Mirage USB cable. It sounds pretty, damn good.
I contacted The Cable Company today. I bought the Mirage from them. They will loan me the Audience Studio One for two weeks. I just pay for postage to/from. Retail is $1,000 for 2M. May pull the trigger on Monday just for the heck of it. More to come.
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@audphile1
Well, you haven't steered me wrong yet, so I just placed an order for the Audience Studio One USB cable. It arrives tomorrow and I will begin breaking it in immediately. How long should I give it before I do some critical listening?
I've never spent this much on a cable before, but if it knocks my socks off, I will return the Mirage and keep it.
Any thoughts on what I should notice when listening to the Studio One? I have until 2/9 to make a decision. I'll probably spend a good part of the weekend listening to Qobuz.
More to come. Thanks.
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@audphile1
The Cable Company is letting me borrow the Audience Cable for two weeks. However, the 30 day clock is ticking on the DH Labs. It expires on 2/9. In essence, I have until next Friday to make my decision whether to purchase the Audience cable. I keep both while I audition the Audience. This is helpful to comparing them as you suggested.
More to come.
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Update: After listening to the Audience Studio One USB cable with my Bricasti M3 for about a week, I decided to purchase it. It’s way more money than I’ve ever spent on a cable, but my ears told me to go for it.
The Bricasti/Studio One combination performed as @audphile1 described. The music was fuller, more natural and there was significantly more bass. Listening to the 24/192 version of Steely Dan’s Aja on Qobuz, my jaw was dropping with each song. Everything I played sounded, OMG, unbelievably great.
So, thanks to all that chimed in, and for convincing me that I needed to get a new DAC to elevate my streaming experience to beyond my wildest expectations.
Now, I have one more request. I have a near mint Qutest and SBooster linear power supply to sell. Any thoughts as to which site I should list these items for sale?
p
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@txp1 Thanks for sharing your story. I am very interested in the SQ improvement you realized from upgrading your ethernet cable.
My set up uses wifi to send the signal to a ASUS mesh system. I am unable to run an ethernet cable from my router to my generic ethernet switch. My download speed is consistently 180 Mbs, so it's been working for a year without any dropouts.
From the switch, I'm using a 1M plain vanilla ethernet cable to my Innuos Zenith mk3 streamer, a .75 M Curious Cable Evolved USB cable to my Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker, and then a 2 M Audience Studio One USB to the Bricasti M3 DAC.
Everything sounds superb, but I am wondering if I swap out the 1 M generic ethernet cable for something more exotic, can I squeeze an improvement in SQ worthy of the added investment for a new cable.
I'm guessing the answer is, "try it and see for yourself." In either case, which ethernet cable would you recommend?
Thanks.
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@txp1 I did not.
I am still awaiting the delivery of the Audience Studio One USB cable. I tested a sampler and had to return it.
I just got a UPS Tracking # sent tonight, so I should have it very soon.
Once I'm back on-line with streaming, I am going to test a higher quality ethernet cable, as others have suggested, and see if it makes a difference.
Thanks.
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Audience Studio One USB in back in my system and it sounds fabulous.
Last matter: ethernet cable up grade. I'm considering upgrading the one from my router to my mesh router. I'm thinking that a modest upgrade will be fine here.
The other would be from my plain vanilla ethernet switch to my streamer. Here's what I have to choose from that I can borrow and return from the Cable Company:
https://www.thecableco.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=Ethernet&product_list_order=price_asc
Any and all opinions are welcome.
Thanks.
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PS - if you know of another vendor that will let me borrow, audition and return cables, please suggest them too.
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