AudioAficionado.org - New Bricasti Design M3 DAC

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- - New Bricasti Design M3 DAC (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=45467)

Great review on Stereo Times website - http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/brica...-terry-london/

Quote:

Originally Posted by GW1800 (Post 997127)

Dan let me chime in here.

I will also be in Monroe this weekend visiting Tim to jam. I'm also excited to meet Buck and Steve for the first time!

I have not heard the M3 directly but I do know someone I trust very much and he just LOVES his M3 - he also uses it with headphones. He is kind of a headphone savant and is very picky what he plugs his headphones into. I believe its true you need Roon or an Aurender but even adding all that up you will be thousands of $$'s less then Bartok. Yes its a bit more complicated but particularly an Aurender makes it pretty easy with many great solutions to pick from. As far as service you will be hard pressed to find a better company then Bricasti- very hands on, great equipment and located in the US. Have you called the factory to discuss your concerns? If not I would suggest you give it a try - you will be happy you did!

Also just to be clear no M3 will be part of the "Tim" visit this weekend. What Bricasti has generously sent is their M1SE and M21 DAC when first asked early on. The Bartok dealer refused when asked originally but has now reconsidered after Buck has generously volunteered his time to drive it to Tim's. I"m told the M3 has a similar sound to the big brothers which are very musical indeed. I've owned a M1SE & M12 loved them both and in the process of upgrading to the M21. Should have it in a couple of weeks.

Hey guys, Did I miss your thoughts on these DACs after your listening or was this visit cancelled???

Hey Craig...I never got around to talking about all this...Stay Tuned! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timobi (Post 1007366)

Hey Craig...I never got around to talking about all this...Stay Tuned! ;)

I’m all ears!

Hi guys,

I am an owner of M1se with network and am really curious about the comparisons!

Also, can anyone comment on the MDx upgrade board? No, it is not an SUV.

Craig and I are waiting with baited breath.

Jeff

I can reply but maybe not as a direct comparison. I had a M12 and used a Aurender N10 server when we directly compared the network connection to the Aurender and it was about a wash. Have since then moved on to a M21 with the new digital board and can't be happier with the results. There is a guy I know that had a M3 and then updated to the new digital card and his comments were as follows "greater detail" which I totally agree with. I think the upgrade is well worth it.

As far as using the network card Vs Aurender I'm still with Aurender but with a W20SE still using a XLR connection. I also know several people using the network card with Roon and are completely happy actually ecstatic about their DAC. I have not directly compared the network card that I do have in the M21 with the Aurender but will at some point.

Epic Fail on my part for not following up on this! :( Sorry guys!

I got busy and sidetracked.

Ok as its been documented I hosted several guys here from AA at my home in early March. Just before COVID! :)

IN the house was a dCS Bartok; Bricasti M21, & Bricasti M1-SE...

The M21 was brand new.

I'll spare the dCS vs Bricasti summary. BOTH were AND are terrific. Honestly maybe a 50/50 there. Sometimes we preferred the M21 and other times the dCS.

One note. Each day we had the M21 it just got better and better...by the 3rd & 4th day; it was spectacular. So good that Steve, (SL800) wanted to take the loaner home to try in his setup. Steve ended up goin on a full Bricasti marriage. :) :)

I was going to purchase it but then COVID 19 hit and got scared a little with unloading that large purchase.

After a couple of weeks I began thinking the M3 could be the ticket. After chatting with Brian Zolner (Bricasti owner) the M3 shares the same DAC as the M21. Doesn't have the ladder DAC nor the additional power supply. Smaller Chassis..but Brian is very proud of what he did with the M3.

So I purchased the M3 without the network card due to having a pretty nice digital server with Small Green Computer and Sonore. I go USB from the Signature Rendu SE to the M3.

The M3 performs WELL above its price. Don't have the luxury of doing an A/B with the M21 but I think the M3 is more like the M21 than the M1 is. They each have their own sonic feel to them.

Not sure I could really justify the extra cost for the M21 though. I know its better but $8K better? Hmm...

Early on I tried M3 straight to my MC2301s. Was good BUT I liked the C1100 in the mix. Just had a more full sound to it. Granted having the c1100 out of the mix brought more clarity and detail but also lost some midrange fullness...I need to try again as that was very early.

Also with a Turntable I need a preamp.

The M3 is an awesome DAC. When we listened to the M1SE it was great as well. There's a little bit more depth and "air' if you will on the M3 and M21 to me vs the M1.

Just my .02 cents.

Bricasti is truly a great brand that backs their product and updates their entire line.

Jeff and Craig. My M21 now has the MDx digital board but to be honest I upgraded that board at the same time as receiving the M28 amplifiers so I can’t say what the MDx board did for sound.

The M3 sounds like a true winner, and deserves a strong consideration for those in the market for a new DAC. As for me...I have had the pleasure of enjoying the M1se DAC since 2017 and on Tuesday the MDx board will be installed at the factory (a 50 min drive from my house). I am excited and can't wait to hear the improvements the upgrade will yield. I especially like the history/culture of Bricasti making available several upgrades at reasonable pricing, without having to buy a new product each time.

I installed the MDx board in my M3 last week. A substantial improvement in sound. Bricasti charged $720.00 shipped and I did the install, which was very straight forward. A worthwhile upgrade, and in July I understand from Bricasti the MDx upgrade price will increase to $1000.00.