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Bricasti M1 DAC vs PS Audio Direct Stream DAC

I own a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC that I like a lot but heard my friends system with the Bricasti M1 and I am strongly thinking of changing my DAC and would love your feedback from other members that have heard either or both. I know they are both great but really thinking of changing my Dac from PS Audio Direct Stream to the Bricasti M1 DAC. I use a HP Desk top computer as source with Jplay and JRiver Media 19 and the outstanding Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND Reference USB Cable. The rest of my system is below. I listen to Classic Rock, jazz, vocal, some modern music and the usual audiophile stuff.

Thanks

My system for reference.

Ascendo C-8 Renaissance Speakers (Germany) Monitor
Purist Audio Design Corvus Praesto Revision 2.5m Bi-Wire Speaker cable
Cardas Clear Interconnect 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Darwin TRUTH Pure Silver Reference 1 Meter RCA Interconnect
Audio Research REFERENCE 1 w/Rhodium IEC/NOS Tubes Tube preamp
Decware ZSTAGE External Triode Output StageTelefunken ECC801S
PS Audio Direct Stream DSD DAC w/ Bridge DA converter
Tellurium Q BLACK DIAMOND Reference USB Cable
PS Audio PerfectWave PowerBase Vibration Cancelation/AC Condtioner
Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono's 140 Watts Tung-Sol KT120's amps
PS Audio PowerPlant Premier AC Regenerator
BMI Shark Pure Jeweler Grade Platinum AC Power Cable
Sablon Audio Petite Corona 2.0M AC Power Cable
Mad Scientist PC-NEO with Power Purifier AC Power Cable
JPS Labs The Power AC+ 2M AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series SE T1 AC Power Cable
Synergistic Research Labs Tesla Series T1 AC Power Cable
PS Audio Noise Harvester (5) Converts noise to light
OYAIDE RI Beryllium Power Outlets (2)
Hubbell Outlet 5362/5262 Deep Cryo Process
Blue Circle Audio The Yalu Balula Industrial Surge/Spike Protection
JPLAY v5.2 hi-end audio player turns PC into a digital transport.
JRiver Media Center 19 Music Software
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
yyzsantabarbara
4,553 posts
 
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.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
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

jwm
918 posts
 
I don’t understand what the switch would do? 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
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

joecasey
484 posts
 
Network switch is to add ethernet ports to a router.  If running wireless or have enough port on router, why bother adding another layer?
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