#1
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Incoming M1 Series II DAC
I have been considering an upgrade for the digital side. It's been a tough decision as the Bryston BDA 3 has been great for the past five years. Also, a giant leap of faith as there are no local dealers to audition.
Based on a lot of internet "research," a call to Bricasti and the threads here (crwilli was especially helpful as a previous McIntosh guy) the conclusion was this M1 series II. While there are many fine less expensive DACs, I really wanted to make more than a lateral, and more than a step type move. After some emails and two short phone calls, I decided to go with our own "local dealer" here at audio aficionado dot org. As Bricasti's are made to order, it will be a few weeks; after which I'll post some comments. John
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AKA J2Ordan McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCable Last edited by John Jordan; 09-06-2023 at 09:38 PM. Reason: typo |
#2
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Huge Congratulations John! I’ve heard nothing less than spectacular about Bricasti. And the “local dealer” absolutely has your back!
Looking forward to your impressions!
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Main System: Sf Amati Tradition, B&W DB1 sub, McIntosh C2300, MC501s, MA12000, MCD500, HiFi Rose RS150B, Oppo 105, Niagara 5000, AQ Tornado/Thunder/Blizzard PCs, Robin Hood BiWire (zero+bass), Gibraltar SCs, Water ICs, Cinnamon RJ/E, Solidsteel HF-3 racks. 2nd System: Sf Cremona Auditor M, McIntosh C50, MC275(VI), MA6600, Node 2i, Oppo 95, AQ NRG-4 PCs, Robin Hood Zero SC, Cobra/Nordost Heimdall ICs. |
#3
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Thank you audio gear!
This may well change a lot on my equipment rack. Ever Onward, and as always, Enjoy the Sounds! John
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AKA J2Ordan McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCable |
#4
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#5
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Hi, John --
As someone who is considering two Bricasti DACs (M1S2 and M21), I would love to receive your thoughts about your DAC now that you have had an opportunity to use an M1S2 for a while.
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Jonathan "Do not go quietly into that good night, . . . Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Main System: Theta Casablanca V preamp/processor; Wadia 8 CD transport and Digimaster DDC 2000 DAC (w/all updates); Theta Compli CD transport; Oppo UDP-203 disc player; Lumin T2 music server/DAC; Roon Nucleus+ core (w/Teddy Pardo LPS); SOTA Sapphire turntable (w/ Premier FT3 arm and Hana SL cartridge); SugarCube SC-2 non-destructive "click and pop" removal device; PS Audio Stellar phono preamp; Magnum Dynalab MD-102 FM tuner (w/MD-205 Signal Sleuth FM antenna amplifier and ST-2 FM antenna); McIntosh MC 611 (3), Krell FPB 200C, and KAV-250a power amplifiers; Revel Ultima Studio (2 - L&R), Voice (1 - center), and Embrace (2 sides and 2 surrounds) speakers; SVS PB-16 Ultra (2) and 3000 Micro (2) powered subwoofers; WireWorld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables; various Kimber Kable, MIT, Shunyata, and WireWorld interconnects; Shunyata Denali 2000/T (2), Denali 6000/S, Hydra [original], Hydra 2, and Venom PS10 power conditioners; various Shunyata Delta, Venom, PowerSnake, and Sidewinder power cords, and Venom Defenders (2); Richard Gray's Power Company Substation and 400 Pro; Luxul AGS-1024 Ethernet switch; Sound Anchor amplifier stand; VTI (2) and Billy Bags (4) equipment racks. |
#6
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Quote:
Am wondering, based on your signature line, if you've tried any of Shunyata's AC power cords with your digital gear? They truly transformed the digital side of the equation in my system. Another area where Ivan is a great help.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#7
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Quote:
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#8
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Awesome I’m excited to hear your impressions!
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Audio Room: Sonus Faber Amati Faturas / JL Audio 13.5” Fanthom In Wall Subs / McIntosh C52 / McIntosh MCD 1100 / McIntosh MEN 220 / McIntosh MC 601’s / McIntosh MPC 1500 / McIntosh MT 5 / McIntosh MC 275’s / Luxman AS-55 Amp Selector / Silenzo (This thing is Amazing) / Gold Lion Tubes from Vintage Tube All items in green were bought thru the AA marketplace and blue from a current AA retailer |
#9
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Jonathan & JFray-
Yes, it's been a while with this new DAC. I bought it with the built in network player. This feature has been a whole new frontier for me with many tributaries that I continue to explore. I like companies like Bricasti, smaller and based in the US. The products are designed and hand assembled in Massachusetts. Great customer support where one can have an actual phone conversation. The DAC itself has been a good level up from the BDP3. The sound is cleaner with vocals and individual instruments more distinct. Lots of detail that especially shines with good recordings; lesser recordings can be a little rougher. There are 15 filters that change sound characteristics. Helpful in fine tuning various recordings and music types. Haven't done much with that as of yet. It comes with a very solid remote. It is dual mono design each with its own power supply and DAC chip. The IEC power input has noise filtering built in and the feet still point isolation. One weird thing has happened a few times; no sound coming from the DAC when turning it on. As if it is stuck on mute or the volume off. Unplugging the unit for a minute allows for adjustment. No big deal. Although I have not tried this, there's a digital volume control making the M1 a pre-amp of sorts. For me the network card has been a real system enhancement and a great winter project, fishing CAT 6 through there walls from the router upstairs to the stereo downstairs. Learned a lot about networking and making ethernet cables. Later after a few discussions with Tom (AKA W9TR) made the plunge to fiber. Threads begun by Steve (AKA PUMA) were valuable by flattening learning curve. Installing a NAS yesterday, this card, NAS, MiminServer and IOS JPlay for control could well eliminate the need for a stand alone player. A separate discussion if there is interest. On the power cable and cabling question, having been disappointed by exotic offerings, I prefer to make my own. In the past year or two, been removing silver and moving to straight copper. The silver was beginning to sound "edgy." May have something to do with the power amps. The former had KT 88's and the new amps EL 809's. The 809's to my ears are more neutral (or less warm) sound. Of note, swapping power cables on the M1 made less of a sound change than with the Bryston. Lastly, this is by no means a slur on the BDA3. It is a solid, well engineered and built DAC with many features and inputs. Bryston customer support is also stellar. The M1 is just another level up, as is the price. All the Best, John
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AKA J2Ordan McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCable Last edited by John Jordan; 04-03-2024 at 03:50 PM. Reason: last comments |
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