Bricasti M3/M1SE

So, I am a Bricasti and Antipodes dealer.  I just sold a used pair of CX/EXs and they are good units and have my demos of the M1SE and M3 on the way. 

The reality is, the network card in the Bricasti only replaces the EX.  You still want a server.  Lots of people run direct from a PC/MAC into their DACs and are happy.  Most of the time, they have not tried something like an Antipodes server and are unaware of the difference it can make.  

You will find even a dedicated PC will be a step down and will be noisier.  I offer a 30 day return policy without restocking on non-special order items.  I have had exactly one server returned in more than 2 years, and that was only because the customer decided quickly to move up from a K40 to a K50.  

You will find even a dedicated PC will be a step down and will be noisier

My MacMini is set up as a dedicated server. It runs wirelessly. The entire music library is loaded into Roon’s library. No physical connection to the M3 + network card. No way it adds noise. Impossible. If the MacMini was connected to the M3 via USB...different story.

Just got the M3 with the Ethernet card.

So I have a powerful PC I bought from Best Buy. Can I run that wireless as a dedicated server or is the antipodes CX a better machine? I like Tv’s setup. I will try and clone it.

@glory I use the Bricasti M12 and run Roon. Used to have Roon on a MacBook Pro and it worked fine wirelessly. (Obviously hooked the M12 up via an Ethernet connection). But a short while back got the Roon Nucleus and it was a HUGE improvement in SQ. So to answer your question yes you can run your PC wireless as a server if the M3 is hooked up via an Ethernet connection.

(Disclosure: Bricasti dealer) 

Keep in mind, dedicated audio servers are PCs that have been designed and optimized for audio.

If you want to retain your present PC, you might look into optimizing it for audio before investing in a dedicated server. Not saying you may not decide to buy a dedicated server at some point, but you expressed a desire to use your existing PC.

Highend-Audiopc.com out of Switzerland offers a software download package that optimizes a PC for audio. Cost is ~$120 USD. https://shop.highend-audiopc.com/collections/software/products/audiophileoptimizer

I came across the Audiophileoptimizer software product while perusing the Mojo-Audio website.

Benjamin also offers tips to optimize Mac OS X for audio. https://www.mojo-audio.com/blog/optimizing-os-x-for-audio-video/