Weiss 204 to Bricasti M1 series?

@ddafoe you preferred the Weiss 205 over Meitner MA3? I presume sound between the brands is quite different, or just better value?

Hi everyone, I ended up returning the Weiss 204 and buying a Bricasti M3 with soundcard and headphone jack here on the 'Gon.  The Weiss had a slightly chiseled, upward tilted sound, the Bricasti sound flows a bit more smoothly and was comparatively non fatiguing with extended listening in my room and system.  Dynaudio Confidence 30s and Herron Audio amplification (Keith is retired, his equipment still plays problem free).  Will update my Mac mini to a dedicated streamer at some point.

Last thing, if one really desires to alter the sonic experience, then simply invest in a professional balanced EQ devise (ie, Neve, Chandler, BAE, etc) which would allow for the infinite crafting of sonic variations from minute and subtle to grand and offensive.  

audioman58.....generally, different is NOT always better.  More detail is not always better.  It is the synergy between all sonic attributes of a given DAC devise that defines a superior musical result.  The high priced dCS, Esoteric, etc consumer brands, I find to be more marketing hype than brawn and performance.  But American 'audiophile ears' have slowly been conditioned through the marketing and pro reviewer influence, into believing a "more detailed sound result" is a generally a better outcome.  IF consumer DACs costing $25k + were so special in their sonic capabilities, then you would find these DACs installed in recording and mastering studios.  That is NOT the case.

Home audio enthusiasts would do themselves a favor if they delved into the overall differences between consumer and pro DACs.  And do not forget that consumer DACs often incorporate a lot of needless features that are not included on pro DACs.  If a devise provides many "switches and menu choices" for altering the sound, this is essentially no different than an old Pioneer receiver with EQ controls, loudness buttons and other sonic gimmick switches.  A DAC should do nothing more than process the digital to analog conversion into the most natural/realistic musically pleasing result that human ears can desire.  Lastly, the DAC is only one piece of the electronic chain and will produce results no better than the weakest link of the chain.   

The Bricasti M1, provided it is their new Series II version, is a clear step up from the Weiss 204. If you love what Weiss Engineering does in the digital domain, the more apt comparison is the Weiss 502 vs the M1 Series II. The good news is that you cannot lose owning either. 

Hmmm....the post was addressing a comparison between the Weiss 204 to Bricasti M1....I guess all you "audiophiles" prefer to blab on about your own gear rather than stick to the point of the post.  That's when I know there's clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right....

@jmlm I own Bricasti M3. It’s internal network renderer beats Mac Mini as a streamer. The Mac Mini is serving as a Roon core in my setup. It’s not bad in that capacity but as a streamer it’s just simply not good.
Bricasti network renderer is going to compete with streamers in its price point ($1000 to $2000). The DAC section of the Bricasti is pretty good though and you should be able to get great results with a higher end streamer or a CD transport.

Thanks for all the input!

YMMV of course, but I've routinely had two main problems with using a computer as a music source:

• USB ground loops
• Power supply noise getting into the AC line.

My experience with Mac's, and any computer really, is the power supplies tend to inject a lot of noise into the system that's almost impossible to clean up.

I have no problem with a computer being used as a source, but not on the same AC circuit.

Also, inexpesnsive USB isolators can really help if your DAC is happy with them. It's a real shame 100% of DACs today don't have 100% isolated USB interfaces but it still happens.

In our audio club I have heard digital up to over $50+k just for the dac.

my brother owns the latest DCS Rossini which is incredibly good

yes I agree with diminishing returns But from my Vast experience including owning aAudio store for a decade, digital has made great strides in the last few years Finally. Thst being said for most people getting into the$5-7k range is the sweetspot for a Reference quality dac , from $2500- To Reference range theGOP is Huge in every area for realism , that is why I promotetheT+A 200 dac and very good Active descreet dual mono preamp section which too is Very good and eliminates a separate preamp in most cases unless you spend over $5+k. The 200 dac is = to any $15kk dac in total balance for most people , that’s why I promote it .

itis such a great value . I am buying one but have to save until spring ,being married the house comes first. Notmuch more to say check out all reviews including YouTube , and you can save a grand if you shop around ,and has HQ player built in if you spend the $200 for the program that too is aHufe bonus 

you literally can Taylor the sound to your specific system.

Yup, The MAC mini ain’t skinny. A streamer is. Please get the best you can afford and clean up the Ethernet chain. Read all about it by searching these fora. 

@audioman58, do you get paid per post by T+A by any chance 😀

I see you pumping the 200’s tires on pretty much every DAC thread. Yes, my local dealer who sells the Meitner MA3 (which I owned) and 200 says the 200 is a great DAC, but in my experience of owning between ~$750 to $10K+ DACs, the relative differences let alone the absolute ones don’t always justify the hefty price difference; this is not even counting the depreciation hit on a DAC when it gets replaced by a newer model.

If you like the way the Weiss 204 sounds now, try it with a 9V4A Plixir Linear Power Supply. Takes the performance up a step or two. Also try the better Plixir Statement DC cable from the supply to the Weiss - well worth the small extra cost.

Why not step it up even further the T+A 200 dac-preamp  is sonically superior retail $7200  is a excellent dac and meets or beats dacs up to $15 k. Just check out the reviews ,then gets demo.

The bicastis sound better with an external server and the Mac Mini is  definitely holding your dac from creating its best sound

Our 432evo Aeon with the m3 sounds amazing or with your weiss 

DAVE AND Troy

AUDIO INTELLECT NJ

US IMPORTERS 432EVO MUSIC SERVERS

dynamic, quietbackground, nicely detailed without sounding etched or bright.

I have the 205 (204 minus DSD and USB) with a Linear Power Supply, and fed with a Bricasti M5 your description matches what I hear and does remind me very much of the Bricasti M3 that I owned for a short while about 4 DACs ago.    I've never heard the M1 (mk1) but I did hear a dealer say they thought the M1 offered a bit more detail and dynamics over the M3.   Its been a few year but I kind of think the 205 has at least the level of detail (if not a little more) than the M3.   With the LPS I'm very content with its dynamics.

For the last 1.5 years I've been using a Meitner MA3 and I think the 205 has a little more detail than even the MA3, it just doesn't have the smoothness and most importantly the body/weight that gives a more sense of full figures and that live fleshy quality.   For the relative difference in sound though vs the BIG price difference I've actually sold the MA3 and plan to use the 205 until the next greatest thing comes along.

Personally, I think the M1 (mk1) would be just more along the same lines of the 204/205 and if I ever go way up the ladder again in price will go back for the more fuller/denser sound of the Meitner or its type.

If you need a streamer and integrated volume control the Bricasti is awesome though.   I have a very good preamp and love the sound and flexibility of the M5 streamer so am happy to keep those functions out of my DAC which helps with being able to go with the lower priced more dedicated DAC.